Questions and Answers
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What was the significance of the Berlin Act of 1885?
- The Berlin Act of 1885 formalized the European scramble for Africa, leading to the colonization and exploitation of the continent, which has often been referred to as the "European cannibalization of Africa."
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What shift in approach regarding victims was advocated after the Berlin Act of 1885?
- The focus shifted from retribution to positive actions, emphasizing the need for crime prevention and indemnification (compensation) to victims.
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How did World War I and World War II affect the perception of compensation for victims?
- After World War I, states began to consider compensation for those wounded and killed. Following World War II, there was an increased engagement with the victims of the Holocaust and the atomic bombings, highlighting the importance of addressing victimization.
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Who is Hans von Henting and what was his contribution to victimology?
- Hans von Henting was a scholar who introduced the scientific study of the victim to the English-speaking world in his work "The Criminal and His Victim." He viewed crime as a social process involving interaction between the offender and the victim.
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What term did Benjamin Mendelson coin, and what does it refer to?
- Benjamin Mendelson coined the term "victimology," which refers to the study of the dynamics of the interactions between offenders and victims.
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What was established on November 30, 1973, by the United Nations General Assembly?
- The United Nations General Assembly opened for signature and ratification the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (ICSPCA).
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How is the crime of apartheid defined in the ICSPCA?
- The crime of apartheid is defined as inhumane acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group over any other racial group, systematically oppressing them.
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What is the definition of the crime of apartheid according to the 2002 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court?
- According to the 2002 Rome Statute, the crime of apartheid consists of inhumane acts similar to other crimes against humanity committed within the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over another, with the intention of maintaining that regime.
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What foundation was established in 1979, and what is its objective?
- The World Society of Victimology was founded in 1979 in Germany, with the objective of advancing victimological research and practices globally, encouraging interdisciplinary and comparative work, and promoting cooperation among various agencies concerned with victim issues.
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What is the status of the World Society of Victimology with respect to the United Nations and the Council of Europe?
- The World Society of Victimology is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and the Council of Europe, allowing it to engage in discussions and contribute to policy-making at these levels.