Better support for crime victims in Turkey

The twinning project “Strengthening the support system for victims of crime“, funded by the European Union and managed by FIIAPP, has concluded in a solemn ceremony attended by the Turkish Minister of Justice, Abdulhamit Gül, and  General Council of the Judiciary member Mar Cabrejas. The project, lasting more than 2 years, has enabled peer-to-peer learning between Turkish and Spanish officials in support of crime victims.

Throughout this time the project has not only shown the experiences of the Spanish system, but also of other Member States, such as Finland, Croatia, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Ireland, all countries that have participated showing their expertise in study visits, seminars and working groups .

The project has concluded successfully, as it has achieved all the objectives that had been set, such as an analysis of the Turkish system, exchanging good practices, the contribution of suggestions for the new law on victims’ rights that will be approved over the next few months and aspires to prevent double-victimization and put the rights of victims on par with those of criminals (in terms of access to justice and restorative justice, etc.). It has also opted to adopt measures to minimize damage, avoid unnecessary delays, protect the privacy of victims and guarantee their safety in accordance with international standards.

In addition, the project has drawn up a strategic plan that will support the Turkish Ministry and complement the strategic plan of the Ministry of Justice’s Victims Rights Department.

In addition, throughout the project, seven pilot offices have been set up that have been created according to the parameters indicated by the project, having in turn established the procedures proposed in that project. In this sense, the Turkish Ministry of Justice has considered it fundamental that all these advances all Turkish citizens, with the aim that any potential victim know their rights and guarantees, for which manuals and brochures have been prepared for distribution in the offices. To cap things off, a television advertisement will be publicised in the coming days to make these rights visible throughout Turkey.