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Govt.’s Witness and Victim of Crime Protection Bill at last
View(s):Government will present the long-delayed “Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses” Bill to Parliament on Tuesday.
The Bill gives effect to appropriate international norms, standards and best practices relating to the protection of victims of crime and witnesses, and also provides for the establishment of a national authority in this connection.
Under the provisions of this Bill, a victim of crime will have the right to be treated with equality, fairness and with respect for his dignity and privacy. Where the victim is a child, he/she will be treated in a manner which ensures the best interests of such child.
The Bill also provides for the payment of compensation to victims of crime, in consideration of the expenses incurred as a result of the offence committed, and his participation in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings before a court or Commission, pertaining to the alleged offence or, an alleged infringement of a fundamental right or a violation of a human right.
The United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has long called on the Government to enact a witness and victim protection Bill, and this bill comes ahead of the September sessions of the HRC.