First reactions to the European Commission proposal to revise the Victim

First reactions to the European Commission proposal to revise the Victim Rights Directive September 2023 PICUM first reactions to the European Commission proposal to revise the Victim Rights Directive Introduction The Platform for International Cooperation on Despite the rights set out in the Victim Rights Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) was founded in Directive (VRD), undocumented victims continue. [...] As highlighted by the European organisations working with undocumented Commission evaluation of Victims’ Directive,4 migrants in 31 countries, PICUM has built a irregular migrants are fearful of reporting crimes comprehensive evidence base regarding the gap because of the risk that they will be detained and between international human rights law and the ordered to leave the territory as a result. [...] The Strategy on Victims’ Rights (2020-2025) further recognises undocumented people among the categories of “vulnerable victims”.3 1 Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2001/220/ JHA (“Victims’ Directive”). [...] 2 PICUM, 2015, Guide to the EU Victims’ Directive: advancing access to protection, services and justice for undocumented migrants 3 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: EU Strategy on victims’ rights (2020-2025). [...] Individual assessment of victims to identify specific support and protection needs The Commission has recognised several problems only collaborating with institutions and in the implementation of the needs assessment bodies set out in the protocols referred to in and made a series of proposals to address these article 26a.