Victims of criminal offenses: Their needs, rights and respect in practice

Abstract

Abstract While the situation of crime victims is analyzed by law enforcement officers, victims of human rights violations deserve special attention due to the very fact that these violations were ‘performed’ by the state, through its official employee or a person who acts in the capacity of an official. This fact does not in any way change the right of the victims to be treated with kindness and respect, nor does it affect their right to benefit from justice mechanisms and to have immediate solutions. It should be understood that such a violation of individual rights committed by or with the consent of a state official, can seriously damage the relationship between citizens and the State. The outcome of law enforcement, in terms of the current condition of law and order, depends on the existence of good relations with the public. When law enforcement officers carry out practices that contradict the rights and freedoms of the individual, the very link between the organism as a whole and the community is endangered. Trust and security are two conditions for fruitful communication and cooperation between the community and the law enforcement body. When trust and security are weakened due to the illegal and arbitrary behavior of law enforcement officers, the quality of cooperation and communication is also weakened. Special care should be taken for the victims of such violations so that the occasional incidents do not have devastating consequences on the image and work of the entire law enforcement organization.