Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-12-11-Speech-1-116"
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"en.20001211.7.1-116"2
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"Mr President, the initiative to strengthen the standing of victims of crime is a real success story. In the beginning, most people were against it. Now, however, most of us agree, and that, I think, is a good thing. I welcome the proposal from Portugal for strengthening the standing of victims of crime in criminal procedure also, even though I have every respect for the views relating to legal aspects expressed by Mr Lehne earlier.
People who are subjected to crime while exercising their right to freedom of movement must not have to suffer twice, inasmuch as they are badly treated. This is the case irrespective of the type of crime committed. It is a question of strengthening the standing of the victims, but it cannot be done without also talking about crime prevention measures. The best way of all of helping victims of crime is to ensure that no crime is committed in the first place, and the most important way of preventing crime is probably to disseminate information. Crime prevention measures must also aim to combat organised crime.
Victims of crime must know their rights and what opportunities they actually have for receiving help. Most Member States provide some form of initial help for victims. Sometimes travellers need additional support and perhaps more support than the local population. It might be a matter of psychological support and help with the language as well as a whole number of other factors. It can be difficult for a foreign victim to follow the criminal procedures from a distance, and in this case it is clear that special measures are required.
The victim must always have priority. Since it is not the perpetrator we must give priority to, it is disturbing to see the tendency in a number of Member States to start introducing
simply because the perpetrator meets the victim. I cannot support this sort of trend. Crimes must be solved, and if this does not happen it will, in the long term, threaten the democratic system. Who will then go out and vote if their problems are completely disregarded?
In my country, the number of cases of assault is increasing, and barely 20 per cent of these cases are solved. This percentage is too low. Crime is no accident. A penalty also involves respect for the victim. We must never stray from the basic principle that individuals must always take responsibility for their own actions, either at the level of the Member State or at EU level. The State must ultimately take responsibility for its failure to protect the victim. Therefore, I am pleased that the rapporteur has drawn up this report, which I commend with enthusiasm. I would like to thank her for helping to strengthen the unified view of victims of crime in the Member States."@en1
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"nolle prosequi"1
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