Sex offender register in the context of international cooperation

Abstract

This paper investigates the possibility of establishing international cooperation in sex offender register in the area of the European Union jurisdiction and in North America. The paper also studies, both the benefits and drawbacks arising out of exercising sex offender register across several jurisdictions and makes a comparison the effectiveness and limitations of applying sex offender register in each country. In addition, the paper puts forth some critical arguments arising from the application of sex offender register in terms of the balance between protecting public safety and respecting the human rights of sex offenders. It finds that although the benefit of the public is the most important issue, the fundamental human rights of sex offenders should nonetheless also be respected by the states because sex offenders are persons who should have the fundamental rights similar to ordinary people.