The 30th Anniversary Justice Discussions

Victims’ Rights & After-care Special

       Rhulani Maluleke

                   Time: Nov 20^th 2020 19:30-20.15 PM London                  

Moderator: Satish Sekar

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83059782711?pwd=ZWhwM0FscDBZVnhwTW51U3JBOFZmZz09

Meeting ID: 830 5978 2711

Passcode: 303333

First of all, there are more than one set of victims. Obviously, those suffering the crime itself are victims, but so are their families. In cases of miscarriage of justice, victims of wrongful conviction (these cases can include people acquitted at trial too, especially in vindication cases where real perpetrator(s) is/are later convicted) are also victims – of the system. Their families are victimised as well. And then, there is the wider community too who have not been protected, but whose taxes pay for the whole mess with neither refund or audit.

            So, what rights do any of these victims have? What help is given to them to cope and hopefully recover from their ordeals? Compensation is not after-care, nor should the latter be paid for from the former. Victims should get both. Is that not the least a civilised society should provide? Yet in the case we are commemorating, the real killer of Lynette White was given a shorter tariff (minimum he must serve before he can apply for release on parole) than two of the vindicated Cardiff Three for the same crime.

The victims of that miscarriage of justice were excluded from an official scheme to provide after-care through a serious error by the Consultant tasked to scope the scheme. The damage done to the vindicated victims of that injustice and their families was never addressed. And they were not alone. All the victims of this tawdry injustice deserved better – far better.