The UN Conference on Human Rights of Victims of Terrorism will take place on Thursday 11 February from 10 am to 6 pm at the United Nations Headquarters.
The United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy recognises the importance of supporting, and showing solidarity, with victims of terrorism. It also acknowledges that victims play an important role in preventing the spread of terrorism and that they bring a vital voice to the counter-narrative debate.
By gathering experts from civil society, academia as well as regional and international organisations, this Conference will examine how States can strengthen their national legislation, procedures and practices, based on the report on the “Framework Principles for Securing the Human rights of Victim of Terrorism” (A/HRC/20/14) by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The Conference is organised by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) under the auspices of the CTITF Working Group on Supporting and Highlighting Victims of Terrorism.
WATCH IT LIVE AT: webtv.un.org
PROGRAMME OF THE CONFERENCE
10:00 - Welcoming Remarks and Opening Session
11:00 - SESSION I: The obligation on public authorities to use reasonable care in preventing and responding to acts of terrorism - How can States take appropriate steps to safeguard the lives of its individuals within their jurisdiction based on recognised international, regional and national standards in preventing and responding to acts of terrorism?
12:00 - SESSION II: The rights of victims of terrorism within the criminal justice process - How can the rights of victims within the criminal justice process be strengthened and improved, whilst ensuring a fair and public hearing before an independent and impartial civilian court for suspected terrorists?
13:00 - LUNCH
15:00 - SESSION III: Reparation for acts of terrorism - How has The United Nations Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law been implemented so far? How have these measures helped support victims of terrorism?
16:00 - SESSION IV: The role of victims in preventing violent extremism - What role can victims play in countering the narratives of violent extremist groups and in addressing their messages of hate?
17:00 - Closing Remarks
Key Documents
- Opening remarks by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman
- Background for media
- Concept Note
- Detailed programme of the Conference
- Biographies of the speakers
- Banner of the Conference
10 February 2016 — Press Conference by Mr. Jehangir Khan, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (UN CTITF) and director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) (Webcast)
For more information, send us an e-mail: uncct@un.org
