III. International Consensus on Crime Victims Rights and InterestsUpon the recommendation of the UN Economic and Social Council in 1993, the UN secretary general surveyed governments, of which 44 responded,19 and produced a report on governmental use of and adherence to the Basic Principles for Victims.20 The United States did not respond to the survey. The main findings of the secretary general can be summarized in the following chart:
19 The governments that responded are: Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Holy See, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Ukraine, and Vanuatu. 20 UN Economic and Social Council, Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Report of the Secretary General on Use and Application of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, E/CN.15/1996/16/Add.3, April 10, 1996, http://www.uncjin.org/Documents/5comm/16e.htm (accessed August 26, 2008). 21 See Chapter V: US Adherence to International Standards on the Rights and Interests of Crime Victims below for a discussion of the definition of restitution. 22 See Chapter V: US Adherence to International Standards on the Rights and Interests of Crime Victims below for a discussion of the definition of compensation. |