On the occasion of the European Day for Victims of Crime, which is marked on 22 February, the Ministry of Justice stressed that continuous efforts were needed to advance the exercise of victims’ rights, both in terms of criminal legal protection of victims and through raising the awareness of the entire society about the provision of comprehensive support.
In order to strengthen the institutional framework for the exercise of victims’ rights in Serbia and to align it with European standards, the Ministry of Justice collaborated with other competent authorities and the civil sector to develop a new National Strategy on the Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime in the Republic Serbia 2019–2025, including the accompanying Action Plan.
The establishment of a national network of support services, improved protection of victims and witnesses of crime, and raising awareness of the rights of victims and witnesses of crime are among the Strategy objectives.
The establishment of the network of victim and witness support services across Serbia will significantly improve the protection of victims’ rights, reduce the possibility of secondary victimisation and ensure uniform procedures for victims’ needs assessments on a case-by-case basis, as well as equal geographical distribution of these services. Quality standards and assistance providers’ accountability mechanisms will be clearly defined, including the victims of crime treatment procedures, which will ensure that each and every victim in Serbia receives the same quality of service and the same level of protection without discrimination, wherever they may be.
The Serbian Government is to set up a Coordination Body to Support Victims and Witnesses of Crime in Serbia, tasked with, inter alia, monitoring and analysing measures aimed at improving the status of victims of crime.