Timeless voices: European day for victims of crime
“People all over the world (including millions fleeing war, persecution and deprivation) continue to suffer from discrimination and attacks. We have a duty to remember the past, and to help those who need us most now.”
This was the message shared to the world by former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
This February 22nd, Europe commemorates the European Day for the Victims of Crime, a day dedicated to recognizing the rights and dignity of those who have suffered some kind of crime.
This date was promoted in 1990 by the organization Victim Support Europe and seeks to raise awareness in society and reinforce the commitment of governments to protect and assist victims.
The Proyecto Esperanza foundation tells us that every year in Europe around 75 million people are victims of a crime, among which those that most affect society are computer crimes, human trafficking and those related to drug trafficking.
Being a victim of a crime generates serious consequences, which vary depending on the nature of the crime, and can have physical and/or psychological consequences. However, beyond the damage caused, many people face profound emotional impacts that can translate into problems of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Victims may also feel unprotected in legal proceedings, which aggravates their suffering, which is why the European Commission, through Directive 2012/29/EU, urges Member States to strengthen the guarantees of victims’ rights in proceedings, including greater access to information, provision of security measures, fewer limitations on access to justice and the right to fair compensation.
On this day we also cannot forget the countless war-affected people in Ukraine whose lives are being scarred by violence, loss and forced displacement. Civilians are victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and countless human rights violations, leaving them with lifelong physical and emotional scars. It is therefore essential that Europe reaffirms its commitment to justice, ensuring effective support, reparations and protection for those who have suffered these atrocities, and that the international community continues to work and give visibility to the victims of these abuses.
It is of great importance that state institutions remember the values of justice, truth, reparation and non-repetition of restorative justice, as they recall the importance of the healing of a victim within a judicial process, which allows them to express their pain through dialogue, get answers about what happened and, in some cases, find reconciliation.
Although significant progress has been made in terms of legislation and the allocation of resources for victims, there are still many challenges to be faced. This is reflected in many European countries, where victims are obstructed by bureaucratic barriers, or where certain vulnerable groups, such as victims of gender violence, minors and people with disabilities, require specific attention from the institutions, which is not reflected either by the State’s inability or unwillingness.
As an example of the above, we can see reflected the accident in Spain of the Alvia victims, in Santiago de Compostela, where the derailment of a train generated 79 fatal victims. Despite the efforts of their relatives since 2013 to achieve justice and reparation, the delays in the judicial process accompanied by a technical investigation by the State that was inefficient and lacked independence, has led to the exculpation of those most responsible in the State and prevented access to effective judicial protection. Due to the above, the victims had to file the case before the European Court of Human Rights, which was admitted this February 2025.
This is why the European Day for the Victims of Crime reminds us that justice is not only about punishing the guilty, but also about supporting and protecting those who suffer harm. This day invites us to reflect that justice cannot be just an abstract concept, but a tangible reality that restores dignity and security to those who have been violated, and that only through a victim-centered justice system can we build a fairer, more caring and committed to human rights society.
William Martínez Bustos, FIBGAR collaborator.
