A/RES/56/261
IX. Action on witnesses and victims of crime
28. In order to implement and follow up on the commitments undertaken in
paragraph 27 of the Vienna Declaration to review relevant practices by 2002 where
possible, to develop action plans, support services and awareness campaigns for
victims, to consider the establishment of funds for victims and to develop and
implement witness protection policies, the specific measures below are
recommended.
A.
National actions
29. Individually and collectively, States will endeavour, as appropriate, to support
the following actions:
(a) Conducting national and regional studies on victims of crime in national
justice systems;
(b) The use and application of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice
for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, 6 subject to the domestic legal systems of
each State, taking into account the Handbook on Justice for Victims on the use and
application of the Declaration7 and the Guide for Policy Makers on the
Implementation of the Declaration. 8
B.
International actions
30. The Centre for International Crime Prevention will, in cooperation with other
relevant international and regional organizations, as appropriate, and in accordance
with the present resolution:
(a) In its projects and programmes, take into account measures for the
assistance and support of victims and witnesses, including those who are women,
children or victims of trafficking in persons;
(b) Promote the establishment of funds for victims of crime;
(c) Promote proven practices in providing support and services for victims
and witnesses using, for example, the International Victimology web site; 9
(d) Translate into the official languages of the United Nations and widely
disseminate the Guide for Policy Makers and the Handbook on Justice for Victims,
and assist requesting States in using those documents;
(e) Upon request, assist States in the development of new legislation on
victims, using, inter alia, the international database established by the Government
of the Netherlands;
(f) Where necessary, promote demonstration or pilot projects for the
development, further development or establishment of victim services and other
related operational activities.
_______________
6
Resolution 40/34, annex.
E/CN.15/1998/CRP.4/Add.1.
8
E/CN.15/1998/CRP.4.
9
www.victimology.nl.
7
13