Launching of terrorism prevention branch publication
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On 22 November 2011, UNODC and the United Nations Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) hosted the launch of the new UNODC publication "The Criminal Justice Response to Support Victims of Acts of Terrorism" at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, and Mr. Robert Orr, Chair of CTITF, opened the high-level launch event. Panelists included representatives from Colombia and Spain, Ms. Carie Lemack, co-founder of the Global Survivors Network and Ms. Mira Sorvino, actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador.
The publication was developed based largely on contributions from two Expert Group Meetings, hosted jointly by TPB and the Justice Section (JS) of UNODC, with close cooperation and support of individual States and donors.
The publication, the first of its kind, includes advice for policymakers and criminal justice officials and examples of good practices to support victims of terrorism. Recommended measures include judicial assistance, protection from intimidation and retaliation, material, medical, psychological and social assistance and access to compensation.
During the launch event, Mr. Fedotov emphasized the need to focus on victims, stating: "Victims matter. Their rights and needs, as well as those of their families, should be at the heart of any criminal justice response."
Mr. Orr, stressed the importance of assisting victims find their public voice to shed light on issues that would otherwise not be addressed. "The CTITF continues to be committed to elaborating on the compendium of best practices on supporting terrorism victims including media coverage and exploring options for financial and material support for victims."
The Criminal Justice Response to Support Victims of Acts of Terrorism will be fully integrated into TPB's national level technical assistance activities, upon request of Member States, in the fields of criminal justice related to terrorism and human rights, as well as in the development of comprehensive programmes of assistance and support to victims of terrorism. The publication is currently available in English at the UNODC website at https://www.unodc.org/documents/terrorism/Victims_Rights_E-Book_EN.pdf. The publication is expected to be made available in all official UN languages.