In international law victims' issues have gained more and more attention over the last decades. In particular in transitional justice processes the victim is being given high priority. It is to be seen in this context that the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court foresees a rather excessive victim participation concept in criminal prosecution. In this volume issue is taken at first with the definition of victims, and secondly with the role of the victim as a witness and as a participant. Several articles address this matter with a view to the International Criminal Court, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and the trial against Demjanjuk in Germany. In a third part the interests of the victims outside the criminal trial are being discussed. In the final part the role of civil society actors are being tackled.

This volume for the first time brings together international scholars from international criminal law, political science, peace and conflict studies, anthropology and sociology as well as practitioners to contribute to the understanding of the role victims play in processes dealing with serious human rights violations. It is of special interest to academics and practitioners in the aforementioned fields and to anyone taking the victim’s rights to heart.

Thorsten Bonacker is Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Center for Conflict Studies at the University of Marburg. Christoph Safferling is Professor for Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, International Criminal Law, and Public International Law at the University of Marburg, as well as Director of the International Research and Documentation Center for War Crimes Trials.