The European Forum for Victim-Offender Mediation and Restorative Justice

Aertsen, Ivo;Willemsens, Jolien European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research; Fall 2001; 9, 3; ProQuest Central pg. 291

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A-%$#AC$. $.e "uropean Forum /or i0tim,!//en1er )e1iation an1 #estorative Jus, ti0e is a non,govermnental organisation set up 2e0ause "uropean vi0tim,o//en1er me1ia, tion pro3e0ts .a1 sel1om esta2lis.e1 0onta0ts 2e4on1 national 2or1ers. In/ormal 0onta0ts reveale1 t.at pra0titioners, a0a1emi0s an1 poli04 ma5ers 6ere loo5ing /or a more regu, lar e70.ange an1 mutual support in 1eveloping vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation an1 ot.er re, storative 3usti0e pra0ti0es. $.is arti0le gives an overvie6 o/ t.e 2a05groun1 to restorative 3usti0e an1 vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation, an1 pa4s attention to t.e 1evelopment o/ t.e Fo, rum, its 0urrent aims, o23e0tives an1 a0tivities, an1 ot.er 8poli049 1evelopments at a supranational level. :"; W!#'%< "uropean 0o,operation, me1iation me1iation, restorative 3usti0e, vi0tim,o//en1er

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$.e t.eoreti0al 1e2ate on .o6 t.e 0onse=uen0es o/ an o//en0e 0an 2e /a0e1 an1 resolve1 24 t.ose imme1iatel4 involve1, namel4 t.e vi0tim an1 t.e o//en1er, .a1 alrea14 starte1 in "urope 24 t.e late 19>0s. In t.at perio1, 0on0rete proposals /or innovative pro3e0ts 6ere /ormulate1 in various "u, ropean 0ountries. $.e 1is0ussion too5 pla0e in t.e same perio1 or even 2e/ore t.e /irst e7periments on vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation 6ere set up in Cana1a an1 t.e +% in t.e mi1,19?0s. )oreover, some o/ t.e /irst &ort., Ameri0an initiatives 6ere 0learl4 in/luen0e1 24 t.e t.eoreti0al 6or5 o/ "uropean s0.olars. For t.ese reasons, 6e s.oul1 not see vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation , or restorative 3usti0e in general, as a mere import /rom t.e Anglo,%a7on 6orl1. In "uropean 0ountries, t.e present /orm o/ vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation 0ame into e7isten0e in t.e 19@0s. Initiall4, it s.o6e1 a rat.er slo6 1evel, opment. Alt.oug. e7periments 6ere 1eeme1 positive, not least 24 t.e vi0, tims an1 o//en1ers involve1, t.e movement 1i1 not imme1iatel4 re0eive t.e in/luen0e an1 support t.at 6as .ope1 /or. $.e approa0. 6as ver4 ne6 6it.in t.e 0ulture o/ legal pro/essionals an1 0riminal 3usti0e poli04 ma5, ers. In most 0ountries more t.an a 6.ole 1e0a1e .a1 to pass in or1er to 1evelop a pra0ti0e o/ some signi/i0an0e. $.e 0reation o/ a legal /rame6or5

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European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research 9< 291,300, 2001. 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

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sometimes provi1e1 an important impetus, 2ut 1i1 not lea1 ever46.ere to t.e e7pe0te1 2rea5t.roug.. From a =uantitative point o/ vie6 t.e pra0ti0e remaine1 rat.er limite1. From a =ualitative point o/ vie6, .o6ever, man4 small,s0ale e7periments an1 also some national programmes provi1e1, in t.is /irst p.ase, 0on0lusive evi1en0e t.at t.is 6a4 o/ respon1ing to 0rime 0ontaine1 a strong innovative potential. 'uring t.e 1990s, t.e num2er o/ me1iation programmes an1 t.e amount o/ 0ases 1ealt 6it. on an annual 2asis in0rease1 stea1il4 in "uropean 0oun, tries. i0tim,o//en1er me1iation in some 0ountries .as no6 2e0ome a 6ell /oun1e1 pra0ti0e, in 6.i0. nota2le attention is 2eing pai1 to t.e sele0tion o/ appropriate 0ases an1 t.e support an1 t.e training o/ me1iators. In some o/ t.ese 0ountries volunteers pla4 an important role in 1ail4 me1iation pra0, ti0e, 6.ereas in ot.er 0ountries t.e intervention is .ig.l4 pro/essionalise1. 'iversit4 is e=uall4 s.o6n in t.e t4pe o/ relations.ip t.at t.e me1iation servi0es .ave 6it. t.e 0riminal 3usti0e s4stem< /rom e70lusivel4 s4stem, 2ase1 to primaril4 0ommunit4,2ase1. $.e pra0ti0e , 0ontrar4 to t.e 0om, mon 2elie/,1oes not in an4 6a4 remain limite1 to propert4 or less serious o//en0es. Alt.oug. t.e /o0us o/vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation in some "uro, pean 0ountries is still pre1ominantl4 on3uveniles, t.e appli0ation in gen, eral 0riminal la6 is gaining more an1 more a00eptan0e. "7perien0e o/ me1iation in t.e su00essive stages o/ t.e 0riminal 3usti0e pro0ess, also a/ter senten0ing, is gro6ing. $.e latter re/ers to t.e in0reasing tren1 o/ promoting restitution an1 re, 1ress as eminent prin0iples o/ 0riminal 3usti0e in general. In t.is sense, vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation is 3ust one , 2ut in t.e present "uropean 0on, te7t t.e most important , mo1el o/ restorative 3usti0e. #estorative 3usti0e, t.en, is seen as a 2roa1 approa0. oriente1 on repairing as /ar as possi2le t.e .arm 0ause1 24 a 0rime. $.e a0tive parti0ipation 24 t.e vi0tim, t.e o//en1er an1 possi2l4 ot.er parties 0on0erne1, /orms a 0ore element. 'is, 0ussion e7ists on 6.i0. ot.er parties s.oul1 2e involve1, an1 in parti0ular 6.et.er 0riminal 3usti0e o//i0ials , as representatives o/ t.e 0ommunit4 or t.e state , s.oul1 pla4a 1ire0t role in restorative 3usti0e pro0esses. $.e 1is0ussion is most relevant /or t.e more 0ommunit4,oriente1 mo1els o/ restorative 3usti0e, su0. as /amil4 group 0on/eren0ing. $.e 0on/eren0ing approa0. seems to 2ring a ne6 6ave o/ restorative 3usti0e, /ollo6ing evolutions in &e6 Aealan1, Australia, Cana1a an1 t.e +%. )ainl4 in t.e +:, 2ut also in some ot.er parts o/ t.e "uropean 0ontinent, e7periments 6it. 0on/eren0ing are ta5ing pla0e. )an4 t.ings point to6ar1s t.e 1ire0tion t.at, at t.e en1 o/ t.e 1990s, a ne6 p.ase in t.e "uropean 1evelopment o/ vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation 0an

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2e note1. W.ile 0ountries li5e Berman4, &or6a4, Fran0e, Austria an1 -elgium alrea14 .a1 legislation at t.eir 1isposition at t.e 2eginning o/ t.e 1990s, at t.e en1 o/ t.e 1e0a1e in several ot.er 0ountries a legal /rame, 6or5 .a1 2een 1evelope1 8+:, Finlan1, CCe0. #epu2li0, Polan19 or t.e /iel1 o/ pra0ti0e .a1 2een enlarge1 legall4 an1 re/ine1 0onsi1era2l4 8Fran0e, Berman4, Austria9. )oreover ot.er 0ountries, su0. as %6e1en, are in t.e pro0ess o/ a1opting ne6 legislation, a/ter a nation,6i1e e7perimentation perio1. Pro3e0ts on vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation are e=uall4 ta5ing pla0e in , amongst ot.ers , t.e &et.erlan1s, Irelan1, (u7em2ourg, Ital4, %pain, Al2ania, 'enmar5, %lovenia an1 #ussia. A /urt.er e7tension o/ restora, tive 3usti0e pra0ti0es 0an 2e e7pe0te1 t.roug. t.e re0ent international poli04 initiatives in t.is /iel1.

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%in0e t.e en1 o/ t.e 1990s, several international an1 supranational organi, sations .ave en0ourage1 t.e /urt.er 1evelopment o/ vi0tim,o//en1er me, 1iation an1 ot.er restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es. A /irst important instrument /or t.e implementation o/ vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation is Recommendation No. R 899919 o the Council o Europe Concernin! "ediation in Penal "atters, a1opte1 on 1D %eptem2er 1999. $.is re0ommen1ation en0our, ages )em2er %tates o/ t.e Coun0il o/ "urope to provi1e me1iation as a voluntaril4 a00epte1 an1 0on/i1ential servi0e at all stages o/ t.e 0riminal 3usti0e pro0ess. (egislation s.oul1 2e a1opte1, as 6ell as appropriate 6or5ing prin0iples /or t.e operation o/ t.e 0riminal 3usti0e s4stem an1 t.e me1iation servi0es t.emselves. "valuation an1 resear0. must 2e promote1. Furt.er e7planation on t.ese gui1elines is given in an a00ompan4ing "7, planator4 )emoran1um. $.e re0ommen1ation 6as prepare1, over almost t.ree 4ears, 24 a 0ommittee o/ e7perts, 0ompose1 o/ pra0titioners, legal pro, /essionals, poli04 ma5ers an1 a0a1emi0s /rom several "uropean 0ountries. $.is group, /or a 0onsi1era2le part, provi1e1 t.e 2asis /or t.e start o/ t.e "uropean Forum /or i0tim,!//en1er )e1iation an1 #estorative Justi0e. Also in 1999, t.e "uropean Commission o/ t.e "uropean +nion ma1e a plea /or a11itional resear0. an1 e7periments in vi0tim,o//en1er me1ia, tion. $.is 6as 1one t.roug. t.e Communication on Crime #ictims in the European $nion% Re lections on &tandards and Action 8C!) 819999 3E9 /mal9. Wit. t.is 0ommuni0ation t.e Commission is 0ontri2uting to t.e furt.er implementation o/ t.e A0tion Plan on t.e esta2lis.ment o/ a "uro, pean +nion Area o/ Free1om, %e0urit4 an1 Justi0e, a1opte1 on 3 'e0em2er

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199@.1 #e0entl4, t.e Coun0il o/ t.e "uropean +nion .as ta5en a /urt.er step in t.is implementation pro0ess 6it. t.e a1option o/ a Council 'rame( wor) *ecision, on 1D )ar0. 2001, on t.e stan1ing o/ vi0tims in 0riminal pro0ee1ings.F $.is /rame6or5 1e0ision, t.e 0reation o/ 6.i0. 6as an ini, tiative o/ t.e Portuguese #epu2li0, o2liges t.e )em2er %tates o/ t.e "u, ropean +nion to a1apt t.eir national la6s so as to a//or1 vi0tims o/ 0rime a minimum level o/ prote0tion. $.e 1o0ument also 0ontains a spe0i/i0 pro, vision on me1iation in 0riminal 0ases. Arti0le 10 states t.at< +. ,Each "ember &tate shall see) to promote mediation in criminal cases or o ences which it considers appropriate or this sort o measure; -. Each "ember &tate shall ensure that any a!reement between the .ic( tim and the o ender reached in the course o such mediation in crimi( nal cases can be ta)en into account., Arti0le 1?, 6.i0. spe0i/ies t.e implementation o/ some o/ t.e 1ispositions, states t.at t.e )em2er %tates s.all 2ring into /or0e t.e la6s, regulations an1 a1ministrative pro0e1ures ne0essar4 to 0ompl4 6it. Arti0le 10 2e/ore 22 )ar0. 200>. Alt.oug. t.e 6or1ing o/ Arti0le 10 is ver4 vague, an1 alt.oug. it is possi2le t.at t.is arti0le 6ill onl4 in/luen0e restorative 3us, ti0e 1evelopments in 0ountries t.at 1o not 4et .ave an4 0onsi1era2le vi0, tim,o//en1er me1iation pra0ti0e, t.e importan0e o/ t.is arti0le 0annot 2e un1erestimate1. )e1iation .as 0learl4 2een re0ognise1 as a pra0ti0e t.at 0an 2ene/it vi0tims an1 6.i0. s.oul1 2e ma1e possi2le 6it.in t.e ne7t /ive 4ears. Finall4, t.e arti0le 0oul1 .ave 0onsi1era2le in/luen0e /or t.e 0oun, tries t.at 6ill 3oin t.e "uropean +nion in t.e /uture, an1 6.i0., in general, .ave onl4 limite1 e7perien0e 6it. vi0tim,,o//en1er me1iation. $.e "uropean Forum /or i0tim,!//en1er )e1iation an1 #estorative Justi0e .opes to 2e a2le to assist 0ountries in t.e e//e0tive implementation o/ t.is arti0le. A /inal international instrument, 6.i0. mig.t prove to 2e .elp/ul in t.e 1evelopment o/ restorative 3usti0e, is t.e $N *ra t Resolution on restora( ti.e /ustice pro!rammes in criminal matters0 $.e 1ra/t resolution 6as initiall4 prepare1 24 an allian0e o/&B!s. %ponsore1 24 t.e government o/ Cana1a an1 0o,sponsore1 24 E0 0ountries, t.e 1ra/t resolution 6as ap,

GA0tion plan o/ t.e Coun0il an1 t.e Commission on .o6 2est to implement t.e provi, sions o/ t.e $"' on an Area o/ Free1om, %e0urit4 an1 Justi0e 8!J C191l 23.1.999. 2Coun0il Frame6or5 'e0ision o/ 1D )ar0. 2001 on t.e stan1ing o/ vi0tims in 0rimi, nal pro0ee1ings 82001l220HJ*A9. 3'ra/t #esolution on t.e G-asi0 Prin0iples o/ t.e use o/ #estorative Justi0e Programmes in Criminal Justi0eG, a1opte1 24 t.e +& Commission on Crime Prevention an1 Criminal Justi0e, April 2000, ienna.

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prove1 in t.e +& Crime Commission in April 2000. In Jul4 2000, t.e "0onomi0 an1 %o0ial Coun0il t.en issue1 #esolution 2000/14 in or1er to /urt.er t.e pro0e1ure o/ t.e a1option o/ t.e resolution. In 'e0em2er 2000, t.e %e0retar4,Beneral o/ t.e +nite1 &ations invite1 governments, inter, governmental an1 non,governmental organisations to provi1e t.eir vie6s an1 o2servations 6it. respe0t to t.e 1esira2ilit4 an1 utilit4 o/ 1eveloping t.is resolution. *e also re=ueste1 0omments on t.e 0ontents o/ t.e 1ra/t elements o/ -asi0 Prin0iples atta0.e1 to t.e resolution. At least 30 0oun, tries .a1 to rea0t 2e/ore 1 )ar0. 2001 /or t.e pro0ess o/ 1eveloping t.e resolution to 0ontinue. $.e "uropean Forum 3oine1 t.e e//orts o/ Prison Fello6s.ip International to 0onvin0e as man4 0ountries as possi2le to re, a0t to t.e re=uest o/ t.e %e0retar4,Beneral. -4 1 )ar0., t.e 30,0ountr4 t.res.ol1 6as not rea0.e1, 2ut t.e +& e7ten1e1 t.e 1ea1line, an1 as o/29 )ar0., 31 governments .ave o//i0iall4 respon1e1. &o6 t.e se0retariat o/ t.e +& 6ill revie6 t.e responses an1 sen1 out a report to t.e )em2er %tates. !n t.e 2asis o/ t.is report, a 0ommittee o/ e7perts, 6.i0. s.oul1 0onvene aroun1 !0to2er 2001 in Cana1a, 6ill 2e 1ra/ting a 1o0ument, 6.i0. 6ill t.en 2e 0onsi1ere1 24 t.e governments o/ t.e 6orl1 1uring t.e elevent. session o/ t.e Commission on Crime Prevention an1 Criminal Justi0e in ienna in 2002.

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!n @ 'e0em2er 2000, t6o 4ears o/ preparator4 6or5 0ulminate1 in t.e /ormal esta2lis.ment o/ t.e "uropean Forum /or i0tim ,!//en1er )e1ia, tion an1 #estorative Justi0e. $.is non,governmental organisation 6as set up 2e0ause "uropean vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation pro3e0ts , alt.oug. a stea1il4 gro6ing pra0ti0e 6it. more t.an @00 pro3e0ts all over "urope , .a1 sel1om esta2lis.e1 0onta0ts 2e4on1 national 2or1ers. In/ormal 0on, ta0ts reveale1 t.at pra0titioners, a0a1emi0s an1 poli04 ma5ers 6ere loo5ing /or a more regular e70.ange an1 mutual support in 1eveloping vi0tim,o/, /en1er me1iation an1 ot.er restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es. A small group o/ people 6it. a strong 0ommitment to restorative 3usti0e 6ante1 to 2uil1 on t.is interest. In 199@ t.e4 o2taine1 a non,re0urrent /un1ing /rom t.e "u, ropean +nion to laun0. a "uropean net6or5. $.is /inan0ing 6as grante1 24 t.e Brotius programme o/ t.e "uropean Commission, a supporting s0.eme to stimulate 0o,operation 2et6een "uropean 0ountries in t.e /iel1 o/ 3usti0e an1 .ome a//airs. A 0o,or1inating group 6as /orme1, 0onsisting o/ me1iation e7perts /rom eig.t "uropean 0ountries< Austria, -elgium, Finlan1, Fran0e, Berman4, &or6a4, Polan1 an1 t.e +nite1 :ing1om.

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$oget.er 6it. a se0retariat 2ase1 in t.e 'epartment o/ Criminal (a6 an1 Criminolog4 at t.e Cat.oli0 +niversit4 o/(euven, t.is 0o,or1inating group prepare1 t.e 0reation o/ t.e "uropean Forum. !ne o/ t.e a0tivities o/ t.e 0o,or1inating group 6as also to organise a "uropean 0on/eren0e. From 2? to 29 !0to2er 1999 t.e 0on/eren0e G i0, tim,!//en1er )e1iation in "urope. )a5ing #estorative Justi0e Wor5G 6as organise1 in (euven. $.us, t.e 0on/eren0e 1ealt 6it. in/ormation an1 is, sues spe0i/i0all4 on vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation, 2ut pla0e1 it in a larger t.eoreti0al an1 poli04 oriente1 0onte7t o/ restorative 3usti0e. $.is 0on/er, en0e 2roug.t toget.er a2out 1E0 people /rom 2E 1i//erent "uropean 0oun, tries. $.e presentations at t.is 0on/eren0e .ave le1 to t.e pu2li0ation o/ a 2oo5 8"uropean Forum 20009. In t.e /irst part o/ t.is 2oo5 vi0tim,o//en1er me, 1iation an1 restorative 3usti0e are 2eing 0onsi1ere1 /rom a more t.eo, reti0al point o/ vie6. In .is 0ontri2ution, )artin Wrig.t 0onten1s t.at t.ere is no .ar1,an1,/ast 1ivision 2et6een measures t.at are restorative an1 t.ose t.at are not. #at.er t.ere is a spe0trum. *e 1es0ri2es GunilateralG, G1emo, 0rati0G an1 Gaut.oritarianG restorative 3usti0e as t.ree points on t.is 0ontinuum. Ja0=ues Faget approa0.es t.e 1i//i0ult4 o/ involving t.e 0ommunit4 in 0riminal 3usti0e an1 me1iation /rom a "uropean perspe0tive. *e also 1e, s0ri2es t6o stru0tural pro2lems 6.i0. limit t.e impa0t o/ 0ommunit4 involve, ment, namel4 a spiral o/ pro/essionalisation an1 a spiral o/ 1epen1en04. In C.apter 3 #o2ert )a05a4 a11resses t.e topi0 o/ .o6 to 1evelop an1 main, tain me1iation pra0ti0es 6.i0. respe0t et.i0al prin0iples, an1 6.i0. are o/ goo1 =ualit4 /or vi0tims an1 o//en1ers. At t.e en1 o/ .is 0ontri2ution .e proposes an outline o/ a statement o/ prin0iples /or a 0o1e o/ et.i0s in re, storative 3usti0e. In .is 0ontri2ution, )ar0 Broen.ui3sen argues t.at vi0, tim,o//en1er me1iation , as part o/ t.e 0riminal pro0e1ure an1 as a means o/ 1iversion , 0an 2e 3usti/ie1 24 t.e 2asi0 propositions o/ t.e p.ilosop.4 o/ tra1itional 0riminal la6 an1 pro0e1ure. *e also i1enti/ies several top, i0s in nee1 o/ spe0ial attention, /or e7ample some spe0i/i0 nee1s o/ vi0, tims 6.i0. .ave 2een negle0te1 up till no6. %iri Ilona :emen4 1es0ri2es t.e emergen0e o/ restorative 3usti0e in &or6a4, an1 i1enti/ies some /uture 0.allenges. In C.apter >, "lmar Weite5amp gives an overvie6 o/ resear0. /in1ings in t.e /iel1 o/ restorative 3usti0e, an1 i1enti/ies 6.at 5in1 o/ re, sear0. is nee1e1 in t.e /uture to improve vi0tim,,o//en1er me1iation an1 restorative 3usti0e. $.e se0on1 part o/ t.e 2oo5 0onsists o/ overvie6s o/ t.e state o/ a//airs on vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation in t.e eig.t 0ountries in 6.i0. it .as 1evel, ope1 t.e most up until no6 8Austria, -elgium, Finlan1, Fran0e, Berman4, &or6a4, Polan1 an1 t.e +nite1 :ing1om9. For t.ese 0.apters, a multitu1e

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o/ in/ormation 6as 0olle0te1 in ea0. o/ t.e 0ountries, an1 t.is is presente1 an1 anal4se1 in a 0ompara2le 6a4. For ea0. o/ t.e 0ountries, /ollo6ing topi0s are 2eing 1is0usse1< t.e .istor4 o/vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation in t.at parti0ular 0ountr4, t.e legal 0onte7t, poli04 an1 implementation, t.e num2er o/ programmes an1 t.e 6a4 t.e4 /un0tion, t.e pra0ti0e o/ me1iation, t.e num2er an1 0.ara0teristi0s o/ 0ases, evaluation an1 resear0., an1 /inall4 0.allenges, o2sta0les an1 e7pe0tations /or t.e /uture. $.e gat.ering o/ in/ormation an1 1ata /or t.ese 0ountries 6as 0on0lu1e1 in t.e perio1 Au( gust,'e0em2er 1999. It is pro2a2l4 /or t.e /irst time t.at su0. e7tensive reports on t.e pra0ti0e o/vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation in "urope .ave 2een 2roug.t toget.er in a 0omparative 6a4. Also in t.e 4ear 1999 1is0ussions 6ere starte1 a2out t.e 0reation o/ a /ormal organisation /or vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation an1 ot.er restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es. !n several o00asions a 2roa1 0onsultation 6as .el1 on t.e topi0 o/ t.e stru0ture an1 aims o/ t.is organisation in or1er to ma5e sure t.at it re/le0te1, to t.e largest e7tent possi2le, t.e vie6s o/ t.e people 6or5ing in t.e "uropean restorative 3usti0e /iel1. In June 2000, a te0.ni, 0al seminar 6as .el1 to 0ontinue t.e 1is0ussion a2out a 1ra/t /ormal 0on, stitution /or t.e "uropean Forum. $.an5s to t.e /inan0ial support o/ t.e -elgian an1 &or6egian govern, ments, it 6as possi2le to 0ontinue t.e se0retariat o/ t.e Forum into t.e 4ear 2000. $.is ena2le1 t.e Forum to start 6it. a European Newsletter, t.e /irst issue o/ 6.i0. appeare1 in June 2000. $.e ne6sletter is one o/ t.e Fo, rumGs instruments to a0t as a plat/orm /or 0ommuni0ation an1 parti0ipa, tion /or all 6.o 6is. to support restorative 3usti0e 1evelopments. $.e 2ulletin 2oar1, rea1ersG 0omer an1 ne6s /las. are re0urrent se0tions 24 6.i0. 6e aim to provi1e t.e rea1ers 6it. s.ort in/ormation a2out ne6 pu2li0ations, up0oming events an1 ot.er ne6s. $.e ne6sletter also 0on, tains t6o arti0les, 6.i0. usuall4 1eal 6it. ne6 1evelopments in "uropean 0ountries. $.ese 1evelopments 0an relate to pra0ti0e, 2ut also to resear0., poli04 or legislation. Finall4, t.ere are some smaller se0tions in t.e ne6s, letter 6.i0. 0an 0ontain in/ormation a2out t.e Forum, a2out a past event, or a2out international 1evelopments. In ea0. ne6sletter, t.e e1itorial 2oar1 tries to in0lu1e in/ormation a2out t.e 1i//erent parts o/ "urope. It also at, tempts to 2alan0e t.e interests o/ t.e 1i//erent target groups o/ t.e Forum. !n @ an1 9 'e0em2er 2000, t.e "uropean Forum /inall4 organise1 its laun0.ing event, 6.i0. 6as atten1e1 24 some D0 people /rom 1D 1i//erent 0ountries. 'uring t.is meeting, t.e 0onstitution 6as 1is0usse1 again. $.en, t.e /irst Beneral )eeting o/ t.e Forum 6as .el1, 1uring 6.i0. t.e 0onsti, tution 6as a1opte1 an1 24 6.i0. t.e Forum 2e0ame a /ormal organisation a00or1ing to -elgian la6. 'uring t.is /irst Beneral )eeting a -oar1 6as

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ele0te1, 0onsisting o/< Ivo Aertsen 8-elgium9 as C.air, An1rei Pas0u 8#o, mania9 as i0e,C.air, #o2ert )a05a4 8+:9 as %e0retar4, $on4 Peters 8-el, gium9 as $reasurer, an1 Ju.ani Iivari 8Finlan19, $orunn -olsta1 8&or6a49, C.rista Peli5an 8Austria9, )artin Wrig.t 8+:9 an1 Jesus $ru3illo 8%pain9 as mem2ers. Wit.in t.e "uropean Forum, /ive 0ommittees 6ere esta2lis.e1. $.roug. t.ese 0ommittees t.e Forum tries to a0tivel4 engage as man4 mem2ers as possi2le. $.e o23e0tive o/ t.e #esear0. Committee is to propose, promote an1 support resear0. pro3e0ts on areas relate1 to restorative 3usti0e pra0, ti0es an1 t.eor4. $.e Pra0ti0e an1 $raining Committee e70.anges in/or, mation on met.o1s an1 training programmes an1 6ants, in t.e long run, to ta5e a 0olle0tive initiative in t.is area. $.e In/ormation Committee 0ol, le0ts an1 1isseminates in/ormation on pra0ti0es, poli04 an1 legislation in t.e /iel1 o/ restorative 3usti0e. $.e Finan0e CommitteeGs tas5 is to /in1 stru0tural /un1ing. $.e Communi0ations Committee, /inall4, is responsi, 2le /or t.e internal an1 e7ternal 0ommuni0ation 6it.8in9 t.e Forum an1 /or organising 0on/eren0es. $.ese /ive 0ommittees 6or5 0losel4 toget.er 6it. t.e -oar1 an1 t.e %e0retariat in organising a0tivities an1 in provi1, ing people /rom all over "urope 6it. in/ormation on vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation an1 ot.er restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es. In t.e 4ear 2001, t.e Forum 6ill 0ontinue its 6or5 t.an5s to , so /ar, /man0ial 0ontri2utions /rom t.e )inistr4 o/ Justi0e o/ t.e &et.erlan1s, t.e Finnis. )inistries o/ Justi0e, o/ %o0ial A//airs an1 *ealt., an1 o/ t.e Inte, rior an1 o/ t.e -elgian )inistr4 o/ Justi0e.

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$.e general aim o/ t.e Forum is to .elp esta2lis. an1 1evelop vi0tim,o/, /en1er me1iation an1 ot.er restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es t.roug.out "urope. $o /urt.er t.e general aim, t.e Forum 6ants to< promote t.e international e70.ange o/ in/ormation an1 mutual .elp; promote t.e 1evelopment o/ e//e0tive restorative 3usti0e poli0ies, servi0es an1 legislation; e7plore an1 1evelop t.e t.eoreti0al 2asis o/ restorative 3usti0e; stimulate resear0.; an1 assist t.e 1evelopment o/ prin0iples, et.i0s, training an1 goo1 pra0ti0e. Arti0le > o/ t.e ForumGs 0onstitution rea1s<
$.e Forum 6ill un1erta5e all reasona2le o23e0tives o/ t.e Forum, /or e7ample, a0tion to /urt.er t.e general aim an1 t.e poli04ma5ers an1 resear0.ers.

, Promote 1ialogue 2et6een pra0titioners,

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, %upport pu2li0 e1u0ation aime1 at in0reasing a6areness a2out issues /or vi0tims, o//en1ers an1 t.e 0ommunit4. , $o ma5e representation to an1Hor liase 6it. "uropean an1 international institutions or organisations, in0lu1ing t.e Coun0il o/ "urope, t.e "uropean +nion an1 relevant non,governmental organisations. , #aise, .ol1 an1 a1minister /un1s an1 1is2urse su0. /un1s in /urt.eran0e o/ its 6or5.

It .as 2een agree1 t.at t.e main /o0us o/ t.e "uropean Forum s.oul1 2e on me1iation in 0riminal matters an1 relate1 restorative 1evelopments, su0. as /amil4 group 0on/eren0ing. &evert.eless, lin5s s.oul1 2e ma1e 6it. ot.er /iel1s o/ me1iation 8su0. as /amil4 me1iation, s0.ool me1iation an1 0ommunit4 me1iation9. $.e Forum is 0on0erne1 6it. 2ot. 3uveniles an1 a1ults, seen /rom t.e o//en1er si1e. $.e target group o/ t.e Forum 0on, sists o/ me1iators an1 me1iation servi0es, poli04 ma5ers, resear0.ers an1 0riminal 3usti0e pra0titioners all over "urope. It 6as esta2lis.e1 t.at 0on, ta0ts s.oul1 2e /urt.er 1evelope1 6it. ot.er regions. Also, t.e Forum 0on, si1ers ot.er "uropean an1 international organisations 6or5ing in t.e /iel1 o/ vi0tim assistan0e, o//en1er 0are an1 restorative 3usti0e as important partners in realising its o23e0tives. !ne o/ t.e tas5s o/ t.e "uropean F 0- rum is to /ollo6 up an1 to stimulate poli04ma5ing in t.e /iel1 o/ restora, tive 3usti0e. In its 0onstitution, t.e Forum e7pli0itl4 in0lu1e1 t.e prin0iple t.at it Fa0, tivel4 see5s to provi1e opportunities /or e7pressing 0ontra1i0tor4 points o/ vie6 24 ever4one 6.o is 6or5ing /or a .umane s4stem o/ 3usti0e /or t.e 2ene/it o/ vi0tim, o//en1er an1 t.e 0ommunit4F. $.is prin0iple, toget.er 6it. t.e prin0iple o/ openness, respe0t an1 t.e 6illingness to learn /rom all mem2ers, 1emonstrates t.at t.e Forum a05no6le1ges t.at restorative 3usti0e is an approa0. to 0riminal 3usti0e t.at is still to 2e /ull4 1evelope1 an1 t.at one s.oul1 not 1e/en1 3ust oneG 2est mo1elG o/ restorative 3usti0e. $.ese prin0iples also go to t.e .eart o/ t.e intention o/ t.e Forum, 6.i0. is not to 2e a pla0e /or t.e unilateral 1eliver4 o/ servi0es, 2ut rat.er to o/, /er a 0.annel /or parti0ipation, e70.ange, mutual support an1 0onta0t. $.e4 also support anot.er main prin0iple, 6.i0. is t.e importan0e o/ intera0, tion 2et6een t.e 1i//erent target groups o/ t.e Forum. It is o/ 0ru0ial im, portan0e in 1eveloping a 2etter 6a4 to 1eal 6it. 0rime t.at 2ot. pra0ti0e an1 resear0. in/orm an1 support ea0. ot.er. An1, 2ot. o/ t.ese nee1 to in/orm an1 support poli04 ma5ing an1 t.e 6or5 o/ 0riminal 3usti0e pra0ti, tioners. $.e Forum, t.ere/ore, 6ants to 2e a pla0e 6.ere t.ese /our groups 0an meet, 6.ere t.e4 0an enter into 1is0ussion 6it. ea0. ot.er an1 6.ere t.e4 0an 0o,operate in 0on0eptualising an1 implementing restorative 3us, ti0e approa0.es.

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'uring t.e 1is0ussions on t.e 0onstitution a lot o/ attention 6ent to t.e mem2ers.ip stru0ture o/ t.e Forum. $.e initial i1ea 6as to limit mem2er, s.ip to non,governmental an1 governmental national organisations 6or5, ing in t.e /iel1 o/ restorative 3usti0e. !nl4 in 0ountries 6.ere t.ere 6ere no su0. national organisations, 0oul1 regional or even lo0al organisations 2e0ome mem2ers. In1ivi1uals 0oul1 2e0ome non,voting mem2ers an1 international organisations an1 organisations not 6or5ing in t.e /iel1 o/ vi0tim,o//en1er me1iation an1 restorative 3usti0e 0oul1 re0eive o2server status. *o6ever, it soon 2e0ame 0lear t.at t.is /ormula 6as not satis/a0, tor4. -e0ause o/ national an1 even regional or lo0al 1i//eren0es in t.e or, ganisation o/ restorative 3usti0e pra0ti0es, a mi7e1 mem2ers.ip stru0ture 6as ne0essar4. $.is means t.at not onl4 governmental or ot.er statutor4 organisations an1 non,governmental organisations are eligi2le to 2e mem, 2ers o/ t.e Forum, 2ut t.at also in1ivi1uals 0an appl4 /or mem2ers.ip. )ore 0learl4, all in1ivi1uals, lo0al, regional, national an1 international organi, sations 6.o support t.e general aim o/ t.e Forum are invite1 to 3oin. Ap, pli0ant,mem2ers .ave to 1e0i1e 6.et.er t.e4 6ant to 2e0ome </ullmem2ers 86it. voting rig.ts9 or asso0iate mem2ers 86it.out voting rig.ts9.

REFERENCE

"uropean Forum /or i0tim,!//en1er )e1iation an1 #estorative Justi0e 8"1.9, #ictim( 1 ender "ediation in Europe% "a)in! Restorati.e Justice 2or). (euven< (euven +ni, versit4 Press, 2000.

For more in/ormation on t.e Forum, please 0onta0t< &ecretariat o the European 'orum or #ictim(1 ender "ediation and Restorati.e Justice "s Jolien 2illemsens 3oo.erplein +4 5444 6eu.en 7el!ium E(mail% /olien.willemsens8law.)uleu.en.ac.be

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