Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-09-11-Speech-2-695-000"
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"en.20120911.42.2-695-000"2
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"Mr President, I am pleased and honoured to open this debate tonight presenting the agreement reached with the Council on the directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime. For the first time since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and the extension of its competences in this field, the European Union is about to adopt a Europe-wide law on the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Our debate tonight, on a symbolic date for victims in the world and especially for victims of terrorism, is proof for even the most sceptical that the European Union is concerned with more than just the single market or budgetary control. Today, the European Union is delivering for its citizens and their rights. The agreement, which will be put to the vote tomorrow, is the result of long and sometimes difficult negotiations with Member States and the Commission. It has always been guided by one main principle: the interest of the victim and the support they need in getting through a process which can be particularly difficult for them.
The Commission has rightly initiated this timely piece of legislation which will now guarantee to all victims of crime across Europe the same basic rights in criminal proceedings irrespective of where the crime took place and of the victim’s residence status. The future directive is also closing identified gaps in protection for victims, particularly those exposed to discrimination and victimisation such as children, victims of gender-based violence or victims of organised crime.
Parliament has stood firm on strengthening a needs-based approach in order to provide basic and tailored support for all victims, in particular, victims who are most at risk of repeated or further victimisation. A major change in the future is that all victims will now undergo an individual assessment in order to identify potential specific needs, notably based on their personal characteristics and the circumstances of the crime.
Another key element of the agreement are procedural rights such as the right to be heard, the right to receive information about their case, including the time and place of the trial and the nature of the charges, the right of appeal and of access to victim support services, which have been significantly improved with the setting of minimum EU standards.
As rapporteur for the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, I am obviously pleased to see in this legislation provisions aimed at protecting and supporting victims of gender-based violence and victims of violence in close relationships, an issue which has been neglected or ignored for too long in our national systems. I would like to add that from a more procedural point of view, the cooperation between the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights has proven successful and has allowed Parliament to stand firm on its position to address the needs of all victims.
I must therefore conclude by thanking my colleague and co-rapporteur, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, for her exceptional and fruitful cooperation on this dossier. I would also like to thank all shadow rapporteurs who have been actively and positively contributing to our work over the past months. The agreement reached today would not exist without the courageous initiative launched by the Commission and its active support in reaching compromises during the negotiations. I would also like to thank Commissioner Reding, her staff and acknowledge their excellence.
We must also recognise the leading role of the Danish Presidency of the EU in making a consensus possible among Member States. It has been very successful and has given a positive outcome. I am hopeful and look forward to your questions and positive support."@en1
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