Legal Frameworks
Explore Legal Frameworks by Country:
Overview
Key Documents
and Legislation
Legal and institutional frameworks play a crucial role in protecting and empowering victims of crime by ensuring their rights are recognised, upheld and effectively enforced.
Here, you will be able to find key national and international laws that define hate crime, prohibit discrimination, persecute violent extremism and outline the rights of victims.
Ensuring Justice and Empowerment
These legal frameworks are essential for ensuring justice, preventing further harm, and empowering those affected to seek support and accountability.
Disclaimer
This is an Informative Guide for Understanding Legal Protections within Europe, not a Substitute for Legal Advice.
While this is not a substitute for legal advice, it serves as a practical guide to understanding the legal protections available within the European setting.
As such, you will find information on the specific legal framework of the analysed countries, and provide an overview of the international and European Frameworks and Instruments.
Explore Steps in Criminal Proceedings by Country:
Overview
Steps in Criminal Proceedings
Whether you’re a victim of hate crime or (violent) extremism incidents, or a practitioner supporting someone that has been affected, understanding how the criminal justice process works is essential.
This section offers a clear, step-by-step overview of what happens from the moment a crime is reported through to court proceedings and the potential outcomes of it.
Support for Victims
For victims, navigating the legal system can be daunting, but knowing their your rights and what to expect can provide reassurance and a sense of control.
Guidance for Professionals
For practitioners, having a solid understanding of the process will enable a better preparation to support and empower victims.
Key Steps in Reporting and Pursuing a Case
This is a general overview of the key steps involved in reporting and pursuing a hate crime or (violent) extremism incident.
Step 1: Understanding Hate Crime and (Violent) Extremism
→ Legal definitions on hate crimes, (violent) extremism and discrimination in the country’s criminal law.
→ How do these crimes differ from general offences in a given country.
Step 2: Reporting the Crime
→ Where to report the crime.
→ Victims’ rights during the reporting phase.
Step 3: Police Investigation
→ What happens after reporting.
→ Role of the victim in the investigation.
→ Rights of the victim during the police investigation.
→ Outcomes of the investigation.
Step 4: Public Prosecutor’s Role
→ Decision-making process.
→ Victim’s role and rights in this phase.
→ Protective measures for victims.
→ Outcomes of the public Prosecutor’s Review.
Step 5: Court Proceedings
→ What happens in court and what is the victims’ role.
→ Special protection in court (if it exists).
→ What happens after the trial.
→ Rights after the trial.