Eurojust joins the EU Victims’ Rights Platform
In 2020, Eurojust supported more than 8 800 criminal investigations, contributing to justice being delivered for nearly 95 000 victims of all forms of serious, cross-border crime. The interests of victims is one of the factors Eurojust considers when advising Member States on judicial issues, such as in the case of parallel proceedings or conflicting EAWs/extradition requests. The impact on victims is a particularly central element of Eurojust’s cases addressing trafficking in human beings.
‘The interest of victims of crime is at the heart of every criminal investigation. Safeguarding their rights and positions can be particularly challenging if the crime is of a cross-border nature. Victims of human trafficking are often reluctant to provide evidence or testify at trial because they fear retaliation from members of organised crime groups. They also need support in dealing with the physical and emotional harm they have suffered. Victims of terrorist attacks and their families often face great difficulty in safeguarding their rights to remediation, legal assistance and compensation. Victims of cybercrime may suffer major economic loss but may not be located in the same jurisdiction as where perpetrators have committed the crime. Eurojust has long-standing experience in successfully overcoming any cross-border challenges and will use that very experience in more pronounced ways in the interest and service of victims of cross-border crime.’
Klaus Meyer-Cabri, Vice-President and National Member of Eurojust for Germany
At the High-level Conference on the EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights, organised by the European Commission together with the German Presidency in 2020, Eurojust announced its active participation in the new Victims’ Rights Platform created following the adoption of the first EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights.
Expert discussion on victims of malware
In June 2020, the EJCN organised an online expert meeting focused on support to victims of malware, which often are spread over many countries. Topics included the various legal and practical aspects of remediation for victims of malware and similar cases of cybercrime and solutions on how malware could be disabled in victim’s computers.
Eurojust is an agency of the European Union