Report on the implementation of Directive 2012/29/EU in the Republic of Croatia
Documenta – Center for dealing with the past from Zagreb, Center for peace, nonviolence and human rights from Osijek, The White Circle of Croatia from Split and Croatian Victim and Witness Support Service from Vukovar are implementing the project entitled „Rights, Support, Protection and Compensation of Victims of Crime“ in order to contribute to the implementation of Directive 2012/29/EC on minimum standards of the rights, support and protection of victims of crime and Directive 2004/80 /EC on compensation of victims of crime.
The aim of the project is establishment of data collection and analysis system (Central Information Point) on criminal cases, which would provide an overview of the issues faced by the victims of criminal acts and serve as a tool for displaying statistical data. The specific objectives of the project are: the collection of reliable and updated data on victims of criminal offenses; improvement of implementation of relevant legal frameworks and improvement of knowledge and work of experts in contact with victims; strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs); development of organizational co-operation, coordination and mutual trust between legal entities; advocating the development of EU policy on victims’ rights.
With this report, we want to encourage further development of support and realization of the rights of victims of criminal offenses through further legislative activities of the Croatian Parliament and full implementation of existing laws in accordance with the norms of the Directive. The findings of this report are based on activities carried out within this program – education of CSOs and professionals in contact with victims, monitoring of trials, preliminary research results, as well as on previous activities and experiences in dealing with victims.
The report is composed of three parts, concerning the legal basis of the implementation of the Directive, its application in practice in relation to the development of victim and witness support systems, as well as the presentation of preliminary research findings and conclusions.
