La Strada Documentation Center

Ensure effective protection of victims Rights in Europe

Document number
3481
Date
22 February 2023
Title
Ensure effective protection of victims Rights in Europe
Author/publisher
La Strada International
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Guidelines/Recommendations,
Keywords
trafficking victim rights day protection victim rights
Summary
On Victim Rights Day, La Strada International welcomes the current negotiations around new and existing EU legislation to promote victims’ rights. 

The revisions of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive; the EU Victim Rights Directive and the proposal for a Directive on Violence against Women/Domestic Violence are excellent and timely opportunities to strengthen victims’ rights in Europe. Evaluation reports are clear: EU law is not adequately implemented and victims lack rights.

EU Member States have the responsibility to offer effective protection to victims of crime under international human rights obligations and EU law. We therefore urge the members of the European Council and the European Parliament to propose clear and binding measures to strengthen victims’ rights and to remove existing legal and practical obstacles, that currently prevent the adequate identification, protection of and support to victims of crime.

We demand clear guidance and commitment by EU Member States to enforce EU law and ensure that victim rights can be effectively applied in practice. See full statement with recommendations.