site.btaJustice Minister Tsacheva Attends Forum on Protection of Crime Victims

Sofia/Brussels, January 29 (BTA) - The foundation of the rights and protection of crime victims and their families is already in place, but it is crucial for the pertinent legislation to have a practical dimension, said Justice Minister Tsetska Tsacheva at a High-Level Group meeting on victims' rights in Brussels, her Ministry reported Monday.

The forum, organized by the European Commission's DG Justice and Consumers, was attended by EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova and Commissioner for Security Julian King. Usually crimes affect more than one person, such as the victim's friends and relatives. The number of crime victims in Europe is large. Meanwhile, it should be noted that the free movement of people is among the EU's main values. Citizens are constantly travelling and their risk of becoming a victim of a crime abroad is as big as it is in their home country, said Tsacheva. She recalled that Member States have already introduced into their national legislations a directive concerning the compensation of crime victims and another directive on establishing the minimum standards for crime victims' rights, support and protection.

The meeting focused on the directive concerning victims' rights, as well as victims of terrorism, compensating crime victims and victims of gender-based violence. "The process of the EU's accession to the Istanbul Convention should continue, because it will improve the coordination of policies in this field between the different EU institutions and the exchange of good practices," Tsacheva said. It will encourage cooperation between Member States aimed at countering violence against women, the Justice Minister said, adding that the Bulgarian EU Presidency will actively work in that direction.