Our interview series ‘In Conversation With’ sees victims’ rights visionaries, innovators and disruptors take the hot seat.
This year marks 40 years since the United Nations adopted the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power—a landmark moment that promised justice and support for victims worldwide. But four decades later, millions still face violations of their basic rights every day.
To address this ongoing struggle and push collectively for change, Victim Support Europe and its 80 members and dozens of partners have launched the “2025: Year of Victims’ Rights” campaign.
In this interview, we speak with Anna Giudice from the UNODC about why this Declaration is still relevant today. We explore how its principles can be adapted to tackle modern challenges and what needs to be done to ensure governments turn words into action.
As we reflect on the past 40 years, it’s time to renew our commitment to justice and stand up for victims’ rights everywhere.
Evolution, Progress, and Political Challenges
Marina Kazakova, VSE: Anna, how has the understanding and implementation of the 1985 Declaration evolved over the past 40 years, and what are some notable instances where political will has significantly advanced or hindered the declaration’s objectives?
Anna Guidice, UNODC: First, I would like to highlight what the Declaration is, and how it came about[1]. The Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power resulted from international cooperation in the development of international crime policies facilitated by the United Nations.
The Declaration was developed by experts within and outside the United Nations, according to the mandate given by the 6th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Caracas, Venezuela in 1980, and then adopted by the 7th UN Congress held in Milan in 1985. An Interregional Preparatory Meeting of Experts was charged with considering the provisional agenda item “Victims of crime” and held in Ottawa, from 9 to 13 July 1984, attended by a number of experts from around the world, as well as various observer delegations. The Meeting of Experts provisionally adopted a draft “Resolution on Justice and Assistance for Victims” and a draft “Declaration on Justice and Assistance for Victims” (A/CONF.121/IPM/4, Annex I).
Interestingly the final text is said to have been the result of different initiatives: “The United Nations declaration owes its existence to a few dedicated individuals within and outside the UN. Miss Irene Mellup, who used to work in the Crime Prevention Section of the UN in New York, was mainly interested in a declaration on victims of abuse of power, while Professor Irvin Waller of the University of Ottawa was primarily preoccupied with victims of crime. The final declaration incorporating both categories of victims is the outcome of a lengthy process involving group discussions, lobbying and countless changes and compromises. At the outset there were actually two draft declarations.
The first, on victims of crime, was drafted in 1983 by Waller. The second, on victims of crime, was drafted the same year by Professor LeRoy Lamborn from Wayne State University School of Law, at the request and with the blessing of Irene Mellup”[2]. Ms. Mellup was often referred to as the “mother of the Declaration”. In fact 2025 also would have marked her 100th birthday and we should take this opportunity to celebrate her and her legacy.
The Declaration is part of what is referred to as UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, a set of standards developed by experts but endorsed by Member States through inter-governmental processes such as the Crime Congress, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the ECOSOC and the General Assembly. Many of the guidelines and other standard minimum rules have created the foundation for the development of binding international law through conventions (for instance the Convention against Torture which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024 , and was preceded by a Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment adopted by the General Assembly in 1975).
This is also why many in the victims rights movement spent much effort in advocating for a convention on victims rights in the 90ies. Elements of that effort and of the Declaration have been reflected in the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocols thereto, as well as in the Rome Statute of the ICC. The fact that the Declaration outlines rights for both victims of crime and victims of abuse of power, and highlights the suffering of both categories of victims, is, a victim-centred approach in itself, as the suffering of the victims and their families is at the center rather than the legal framework under which they would fall.
The 1985 UN Declaration was a landmark text in recognising the rights and needs of victims, but its implementation has evolved unevenly over the past 40 years. We’ve seen real progress in countries adopting victim-centered legislation and expanding support services. Unfortunately, in many countries around the world, the resistance of the criminal justice system itself to center the rights of victims and the lack of resources continues leaving many victims without adequate access to justice, support, assistance or protection. The over-reliance on technical assistance providers often leads to reforms that are not sustainable, as they not adapted to the specific needs and legal system of the specific country nor funded by State budgets or other national sources.
It is evident that long-term political commitment really makes a difference, but this has to be followed by implementing legal and institutional reforms that ensure continuity and sustainability, including national planning and financing mechanisms put in place to fund victim support and compensation schemes. Lack of resources, and limited capacity building are recurrent issues that could hinder effective implementation. In many countries, the gap between policy and practice remains wide, particularly for women, children and groups that face discrimination and exclusion. The adoption of regional standards and landmark cases by regional courts has also played an important role in advancing justice for victims and implementation of the Declaration. NGOs and advocacy groups have also been instrumental in bridging gaps where government support is lacking, including in raising awareness, providing direct services, and advocating for legal and institutional reforms in line with the Declaration.
The inclusion of access to justice for all in the SDG indicators and the adoption of a variety of commitments by UN bodies, both in the areas of victims of crime and victims of abuse of power are also testaments to the continued relevance of the Declaration, with its clear commitments to, amongst others, access to justice for victims. Examples include the adoption of the Kyoto Declaration at the last Crime Congress with several sections focusing on victim-centered and trauma informed criminal justice.
Most recently the General Assembly adopted GA resolution 78/227 on Equal Access to Justice for All on 19 December 2023, recalling the Declaration and affirming “the importance that certain members of society, such as children, persons with disabilities, those in vulnerable situations and victims of violence be given additional protection in order to access justice systems”. The Declaration continues to be a landmark for international commitment on victims’ rights and its use and application requires ongoing assessment. This includes, for instance, developing clear indicators, collecting data on victimisation and victim satisfaction with service providers, for evidence-based efforts, and identifying areas for improvement to ensure that the Declaration remains relevant and impactful.
Adapting the Declaration of Victims’ Rights to Global Challenges and Changing Political Climates
Marina Kazakova, VSE: Given the persistent global challenges and varied political climates, how can the principles of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power be adapted to remain effective and relevant in today’s world?
Anna Guidice, UNODC: The beauty of the Declaration is that it provides such clear principles that these apply still even in an evolving world. In fact it may be worth highlighting once more the importance of both parts of the Declaration, as relates both to victims of crime and victims of abuse of power, also in the context of implementing commitments under binding legal instruments such as the international and regional human rights instruments, the UNTOC Convention and its protocols and the Convention against Corruption, The Declarations principles are relevant to new forms of crime, such as digital harassment, online and offline hate speech and hate crime, and other forms of cybercrime, while it may be required to develop technical tools and guidance on the implementation of the Declaration in this new world.
In particular, it is important to ensure that the protection and access to justice of victims are ensured in cross-border and international cases, which remains an important challenge in many countries and regions around the world due the differences in legal and institutions systems and the lack of resources devoted to victims support and assistance, and is exacerbated in the online space. Another important aspect could be addressing accessibility and inclusivity to ensure that the needs of marginalized groups, such as minorities, migrants, and persons with disabilities, are systematically integrated into national policies, especially taking into consideration intersecting vulnerabilities, which often require more specialized approaches to support and justice.
Emphasising victims’ participation in legal processes and policy formulation can also help adapt the principles to modern contexts, including enhancing victim feedback mechanisms, promoting restorative justice practices, and ensuring victims have a stronger voice in legal reforms and procedural changes.
It is important that victims’ psychological and emotional well-being is be a priority. Incorporating trauma-informed approaches across justice systems can help ensure that victims receive the care and respect they need throughout legal and support processes. This includes training legal aid providers, law enforcement, judiciary personnel, and service providers to handle cases sensitively, and ideally to include training in these domains at university and professional training level. This is essential to prevent secondary victimisation from contact with the criminal justice system and support providers.
Given the fast evolution of technology, the use of technology in victim support, for example through digital platforms for reporting crimes, virtual legal assistance, and online counselling services can be explored, with a strong focus on ensuring that any such solutions are evidence-based, human rights based and respect and protect the rights and dignity of all victims, and do not create additional discrimination and inequalities.
Making Sure Victims’ Rights Lead to Real Action: Strategies for National and International Impact
Marina Kazakova, VSE: What mechanisms or strategies can be put in place to ensure that the political will to uphold victims’ rights translates into tangible actions and effective implementation at the national and international levels?
Anna Guidice, UNODC: At international level the inter-governmental bodies created within the United Nations in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice are the space where standards are set and Member States report on their use and application. The upcoming regional preparatory meetings to, and the next UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice taking place in the UAE in April 2026 will provide an opportunity to discuss the rights of victims and advances around the world.
At the regional level regional human rights mechanisms can allow for monitoring the implementation of international and regional standards on victims’ rights.
At national level, to measure impact and ensure accountability, embedding the principles of the 1985 Declaration into long-term national strategies ensures sustained attention and commitment to victims’ rights.
Encouraging partnerships between government agencies, civil society organisations, and victim advocacy groups can create a more complete and effective response to victims’ needs, as highlighted by the Declaration. For instance, hosting regional/international forums and workshops can promote the exchange of successful strategies among countries, allowing them to learn from one another’s experiences, lessons learned and future opportunities.
UNODC has long-standing expertise in providing technical assistance to countries on victims’ rights, by supporting legislative, policy and institutional reform to establish national victim assistance services, providing sustainable training of criminal justice personnel, strengthening referral mechanisms and one-stop approaches, and specialised responses to particular groups of victims or victims of specific crimes.
Advocacy efforts at an international level, such as the 2025 Year of Victims’ Rights, can remind governments of their obligations under the Declaration while fostering a commitment to enhance victim support and protection, both at national, regional and global level through increased attention in inter-governmental processes.
[1] https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-22089-2_14
[2] The United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power: A Constructive Critique | SpringerLink
