If you have suffered physical or moral injuries as a result of a crime or if your property has been damaged or lost, you have the right to be recognized as a victim in the criminal proceedings.
Status of a victim
The status of a victim is granted by law to a person who suffered bodily harm, damage to assets, moral or other damage caused by the criminal offence, or whose rights or freedoms protected by law were violated or threatened by the offence. Position of victim gives you the right to:
- participate in the criminal proceedings
- ask for a compensation for the damage done to you
As a victim, you have certain basic rights in the criminal trial, such as the right to an independent and impartial court, the right to a judgment within a reasonable time, the right to a reasoned decision and the right to be present at the hearings.
Human rights in court
Your participation in a criminal trial can affect many of your human rights, such as the right to a fair trial, the right to privacy and family life or even your right to life.
example If as a victim you have assisted in the investigation of a serious crime and consequently there is danger to your life, the failure to protect you may lead to a violation of your right to life. In addition, if the trial is unreasonably delayed and you have not contributed to the delay, it may lead to a violation of your right to a fair trial.
Read more about the rights and duties, which guarantee you a fair trial and how to complain where you believe your rights have been violated.