A Workshop on the protection of victims of terrorist acts took place in Strasbourg, on 20 June 2019, under the aegis of the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, and in the framework of the 91st meeting of the Steering Committee for Human Rights (18-21 June 2019).
VIDEO of the Event
Short presentation of the aim of the Workshop
The aim of the Workshop was to raise awareness on the Council of Europe Revised Guidelines on the protection of victims of terrorism and to share experiences of good national practices regarding their implementation.
Short presentation of the Revised Guidelines
The Revised Guidelines were adopted by the CM of the Council of Europe in 2017, only 12 years after the adoption of the initial guidelines, as a response to all forms of terrorism. They are a practical tool to member States to address challenges of all forms of terrorism and towards better protection of human rights. The text has 14 Principles. To begin with, States should have an appropriate legal and administrative framework for victims of terrorist acts, without any discrimination. The effects of terrorism on the victims and their close family members require national implementation of an efficient protection policy, financial assistance and compensation for victims, including, in an appropriate manner, the societal recognition of the suffering of victims alongside a duty to remember. States should also ensure appropriate medical, psychological, social and material emergency assistance free of charge to victims, but also the continuing assistance, so that they could resume the normal course of their activities. They should set up appropriate contact points for victims, they must effectively investigate terrorist acts, provide effective access to the law and justice, as well as protect private/family life and dignity and security, in close co-operation with civil society.
