The rise of victims’ rights in Argentina: A sociohistorical approach

Abstract

Existing literature on victims in contemporary societies has highlighted their increasing public legitimacy, partly attributing this growth to their recognition as rights holders. However, a significant portion of research has restricted its examination to the victim’s role in criminal procedure. This paper presents a systematic reconstruction of the enactment of victims’ rights in Argentina from 1856 to 2023. Based on a catalog of laws and decrees compiled from official legislative databases, the present study provides an overview of the historical evolution of these rights by identifying the dynamics and problems driving the enactment of legislation. Furthermore, it undertakes an examination of the various forms of protections that these norms enforce in the criminal procedural context and beyond. The study seeks to explore the scope of victims’ rights as well as their relationship with the various issues that gave rise to the norms.