Bill to assist victims of crime

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: The Government has decided to present a Bill to provide assistance and protection to victims of crime and witnesses in criminal proceedings. Following a Cabinet memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet has granted approval for the Bill.

The Attorney General has set out a detailed legal framework designed to help victims of crime and protect witnesses, Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said.

The guidelines recommended by the Attorney General have been presented to the Law Commission, and the Commission has considered and concurred with the guidelines prepared by the Attorney General. In addition, the Attorney General has considered the views of many eminent persons, the Minister told the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday..

The draft legislation will be prepared expeditiously and the Bill presented to Parliament for consideration as an urgent Bill After the constitutional review by the Supreme Court, the Bill is expected to be presented in Parliament before the forthcoming Budget debate.

The Minister said: “Legal analysts have repeatedly pointed out that there is a need to provide assistance and protection to victims of crime and witnesses in criminal proceedings. The absence of such assistance and protection to victims of crime and witness affect not only them, but adversely affect the efficacy of the criminal justice system as well.”

The proposed Bill will establish a National Authority to provide assistance and protection to victims of crime and witnesses. It has also been proposed to set up a Victims of Crime and Witnesses Protection Division in the Police Department. In addition, the proposed Bill will establish a Victims of Crime and Witness Assistance and Protection Fund.

According to the Minister, under the proposed Bill steps will be taken to ensure the rights and entitlements of victims of crime and witnesses. It will also establish mechanisms for assistance and protection to be provided to victims and witnesses. It will recommend compensation to be paid to victims of crime.

The proposed legislation will deal with offenses in respect of harm that may be inflicted on victims of crime and witnesses, he said.