Strani pravni život (Jan 2019)
The rights of victims of crimes in the Netherlands
Abstract
The focus of the article is the protection of the rights of crime victims in the Netherlands. The goal of the research is to explain the comprehensiveness of reforms (from 1980) and demonstrate examples of good practice (related to harmonization with the Victims' Rights Directives 2012/29EU). Permanent reforms overcame the passive role of the victim in the criminal procedure where the special rights of victim are guaranteed. The victim becomes the central figure of the criminal justice system. The author points out special solutions in Dutch law, such as victim's right to speak to the court (pointing out to the consequences of victimization etc.), mediation, transactio (diversion in criminal process), compensation order, "advance arrangement" for payment victim's claim by the Central Fine Collection Agency, if it is not paid within the given time. The procedure of compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund is described. It is crucial to establish an effective organizational framework for the realization of victim's rights, suited to the needs of a concrete society.
