NCJ Number
197400
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 15-30
Date Published
2002
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Focusing on the rights of victims of organized crime and corruption, this article discusses forthcoming provisions that will be proposed by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
Abstract
In line with the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principle of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and Trafficking is set to create new provisions for preserving the rights of victims of organized crime and corruption in 2003. This article analyses the concurrence of these provisions with the United Nations' Declaration, adopted in 1985. After explaining that the forthcoming Convention will most likely apply to cases of victimless crimes, such as cross-border drug trafficking, the author presents Articles 4 and 7 of the Declaration in order to demonstrate how these handle the issue of victims' rights. Following a discussion of both the protocol against trafficking highlighted in Article 2 of the Declaration and provisions for restitution and compensation outlined in Articles 8 and 11, this article addresses the Declaration's assertion that crime victims should receive any needed medical, psychological, and social assistance. Discussing both the United Nations Declaration and the forthcoming United Nations Convention, the author suggests that implementation of the victim-relation provisions in the Convention and its protocols should be promoted through the cooperation of the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention. Notes, references