The United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power

Abstract

The United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power has been called a Magna Carta for victims. The United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, under which the victim Declaration was developed, has sought to formulate a series of norms and guidelines designed to foster more humane and enlightened national policies and more effective international cooperation in this field. The Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1990/22, echoed this call and requested the Secretary-General to continue to devote attention to policy and research on the situation of victims and the effective implementation of the victim Declaration, to meet the full range of needs and circumstances of different countries. Economic and social council recognized the need to look beyond national measures in some instances, especially where victims of transnational crimes and abuse of power were concerned.