Thesis:

A Comparative Study of Victims' Rights in the Criminal Justice Systems of Iran and Canada

In traditional criminal justice systems, the main focus has been on identifying, prosecuting and punishing the offender, while the role of the victim has been marginalized. This approach has led to the rights and needs of victims being ignored, especially during the trial process, and in many cases, victims not only lack adequate support, but also suffer secondary victimization. The main issue of this research is to examine the position of victims in the criminal justice process and the extent of legal protections for them in the two legal systems of Iran and Canada in a comparative manner. Given the expansion of new approaches to criminal justice, especially restorative justice, and the global emphasis on respecting the human dignity of the victim, it seems necessary to assess this position in both countries in order to identify legal gaps and provide corrective solutions. The necessity and importance of the issue is that without paying attention to the rights and needs of the victims, it is impossible to talk about the realization of a fair trial. Supporting victims is not only in order to restore security and trust in them, but is also effective in preventing re-victimization, reducing the black figure of crime, and promoting the legitimacy of the criminal justice system. While in the Iranian legal system, victim protection is more often presented in the form of traditional concepts such as "private plaintiff" or receiving blood money, in the Canadian legal system, more comprehensive protections, including the "Victims' Rights Act" and independent support institutions, have been designed within a transparent and operational framework.. The results of the study show that although steps have been taken in Iran to improve the status of victims, there is still no coherent, comprehensive, and victim-centered approach in criminal law. In contrast, the Canadian criminal justice system has provided a successful model in supporting victims by emphasizing the dignity of the victim, their active participation in the judicial process, and the provision of psychological, social, and financial services. Therefore, comparative use of Canadian experiences can significantly contribute to strengthening the position of victims in the Iranian criminal justice system.

Keywords: Keywords: Victim, criminal proceedings, criminal protection, Iran, Canada, restorative justice, vict