Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
UNODC welcomes the launch of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism.
As the Ambassadors, the Secretary-General and USG Voronkov have just made clear, there is a growing need for international cooperation to support victims of terrorism and safeguard their rights. I am sure the Group of Friends will be instrumental in keeping victims' interests at the centre of discussions and action.
The draft resolution on assistance to victims of terrorism which the General Assembly will be considering at the end of this week is a good example of the power of joint approaches.
UNODC is very proud to be an observer of the Group of Friends. The importance of victim-centred criminal justice responses is a thread which runs through our work since the very early days of our Office.
Already in 1999, UNODC published tools to assist policymakers in the implementation of the UN's landmark Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power.
UNODC has continued producing resources for legislators, law enforcement and criminal justice professionals. A publication entitled "From Victims of Terrorism to Peacebuilders is being developed.
Beyond such resources, UNODC provides policy and legislative assistance to Member States, helping countries put into action key elements of the international framework relating to the status, rights and treatment of victims of terrorism.
Furthermore, our field-based workshops, mentoring programmes and online learning solutions are reaching the key actors intervening on this issue, from policymakers to law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners.
UNODC's extensive field network and broader mandates on transnational organized crime enable us to develop comprehensive programmes which are tailored to national and regional contexts and needs.
Co-ordination and cooperation between law enforcement, criminal justice and relevant agencies and civil society actors, at national, regional and international levels, are key in ensuring assistance to victims and helping safeguard their rights.
Currently, UNODC is supporting the development of a Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Network in Central Asia, and working with counterparts towards the establishment of similar networks in South and South-East Asia.
As an active Member of the Global Compact Working Group on Promoting and Protecting human rights and the rule of law while Countering terrorism and Supporting Victims of Terrorism, UNODC is fully involved in the UN family's efforts to coordinate ongoing technical assistance activities.
Ladies and gentlemen,
UNODC looks forward to collaborating with the Group of Friends and stand ready to support your efforts.
Thank you.