THE IMPACT OF THE EU’S DIRECTIVE 2012/29/EU ON ESTABLISHING MINIMUM STANDARDS ON THE RIGHTS, SUPPORT AND PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME TO THE MACEDONIAN CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Abstract

The authors of the paper discuss the compliance of the Macedonian criminal justice system with
EU’s Directive 2012/29/EU on establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and
protection of victims of crime. The purpose of this Directive is to establish minimum standards
for ensuring that the victims of crime receive appropriate information, support and protection and
whether they are able to participate in the criminal proceedings. In this fashion it is
recommended to the member states to ensure that victims are recognized and treated in a
respectful, sensitive, tailored, professional and non-discriminatory manner including specific
guarantees when the victim is a child. Furthermore, any treatment of the child victim should take
into account its best interests and shall be approached on an individual basis, considering the
child's age, maturity, views, needs and concerns. Moreover, the authors are scrutinizing whether
these standards are properly incorporated into the Law on Criminal Procedure and they provide
substantial recommendations for additional changes and amendments to the law in order to
achieve the abovementioned criteria into Macedonian national law.