Criminal responsibility & Protection orders

If the Court has issued an order on temporary protection against violence and the perpetrator has violated this order, the Court may apply stricter measures.

Since the Court order on protection ensures the safety of the victim, a violation of the order means that the Court can apply stricter measures to keep the victim safe, the strictest measure being arrest.

If the offender violates the court order on temporary protection, the victim should report the violation to the police immediately by calling the Emergency Line on 112.

Criminal responsibility & Human rights

The right to life, the prohibition of inhumane or degrading treatment and the right to private and family life

Conducting effective criminal proceedings and calling perpetrators of domestic violence to criminal responsibility is an essential remedy of the State in protecting the rights of victims and to prevent human rights violations. If the pertinent authorities fail to protect the victim by effectively investigating, charging, trying and, if appropriate, convicting the perpetrator, it may result in a violation of the right to life, the prohibition of inhumane or degrading treatment and the right to private and family life.

Prohibition of discrimination

Domestic violence is considered to be a form of discrimination against women, as it affects mainly women. If the State (in this case – the pertinent authorities) fails to conduct effective criminal proceedings and call the perpetrator to responsibility, it may result in a violation of the prohibition of discrimination in conjunction with a violation of the right to life, the prohibition of inhumane or degrading treatment, and the right to private and family life.

Right to a fair trial

If the victims of domestic violence have been recognized as victims in criminal proceedings, they have a number of rights pertinent to a fair trial. For example, under certain circumstances, they have the right to free legal aid. If the failure of the State to ensure those fair trial guarantees towards the victims has resulted in an unfair process for the victims, it may lead to the violation of the right to a fair trial.

Resources

Last updated 19/04/2020