The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Facing the Victimization of International Tourists

International tourists are vulnerable to delinquency due to various factors such as their identifiableness, having valuable property, going to places suitable for delinquency, lack of caution in travel, lack of advocate, lack of familiarity with the rules and customs of the host community, and lack of opportunity to pursue lawsuits. Therefore, ensuring the security of tourism in this regard is necessary, the realization of which requires the cooperation of civil society, and especially NGOs in the form of a participatory model.

Design/methodology/approach: 

The present research investigates the role of these organizations in responding to the victimization of foreign tourists using the descriptive-analytical method.

The findings indicate that these organizations can play a role in both the prevention and response to tourist victimization.

In the field of preventive responses, NGOs can participate in planning to ensure the safety of tourists by providing information to tourists and interacting with tourism agencies and local police to help improve the security of the tourist environment by creating a mutual understanding. In connection with reactive responses, as Amicus curiae in reporting a crime, active participation in the proceedings, presenting evidence, and appealing against the decisions to protect the rights of victim tourists who cannot stay long in the host country can play a role that the regulations of our country are flawed in this regard.

Originality/value: 

This research is an attempt to theoretically fill the gap in the criminal procedure law regarding the recognition of the position of non-governmental organizations in order to participate in the criminal process related to the rights of injured tourists.