Toward Compensation for Victims of Organized Crime in Developing African Countries (From Resource Material Series No. 38, P 238-249, 1990, United Nations Asia and Far East Institute -- See NCJ-135723)

• NCJ Number: 135738
• Author(s): F Odekunle
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Modern criminal justice systems in African nations appear to emphasize the safeguard of offenders' rights over the rights and interests of their victims. This article examines the specific issue of compensating victims of organized crime in African nations.

Abstract

The concept of compensating victims of organized crime must be examined within the larger context of restituting all victims of crime as a class of people who have undeservedly suffered some injury or loss as a result of the criminal behavior of others. While many industrialized countries have implemented some type of restitution program, hardly any of the African nations have passed the stage of nominal participation in United Nations meetings on the subject. Restitution to victims of common street crimes would provide an opportunity for community involvement in the administration of justice and could lessen the existing pressure on the criminal justice system. Unlike street crimes, organized crime usually affects a wider range of victims, who incur greater costs. In terms of law enforcement, organized crime offenders must be caught and their direct and indirect victims identified. 2 tables, 10 notes, 31 references, and 1 appendix