Brussels, 28/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission adopted a Green Paper on compensation for crime victims by public authorities. The document sketches out the ways in which different Member States provide compensation to the victims of different sorts of crimes when the guilty party is unknown or cannot afford to pay damages. The Green Paper asks questions about the establishment of minimum common standards in the EU and about improving compensation procedures for people who are victims of crimes committed in another Member State from the one where they reside. The Commission is planning to consult with Member States, associations and academia between now and 31 January 2002 before deciding whether or not to publish draft legislation next year. The Green Paper can be consulted (from 3 October onwards) at the following website: http: //http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/justice_home/index_en.htm.