Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe presented a draft bill for the 'Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses of Crime Bill' in the Parliament on June 17.

Presenting the bill Minister Samarasinghe said the basic objective of the Bill was to conform human rights laws to international norms, standards, and best practices.

The bill enlists victims’ and witnesses’ rights and entitlements. These include the rights to apply and receive compensation for harm suffered as a result of being a victim of crime; the right to be informed of proceedings and events in the criminal justice process and of legal rights and remedies and of available services.