Victims of Terrorism Demand Collective Protection of their Rights

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Jun 25 2012 (IPS) - UNITED NATIONS, June 22 – In his annual report to the Human Rights Council, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Ben Emmerson, exposed a system, which fails dramatically to protect the rights of victims of terrorism. 

“It is a striking fact that despite the proliferation of international instruments dealing with counter-terrorism co-operation, there is none that directly addresses the rights of the victims,” said Emmerson to journalists during the 20th Session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva from Jun. 18 to Jul. 6.

 The report discussed Friday, lists the key activities undertaken by Emmerson from August 18 2011 to April 2 2012, focusing on the rights of victims of terrorism and the obligations of states in protecting those rights.

 “Terrorism has a very real and direct impact on human rights, with devastating consequences for the right to life, liberty and physical integrity of victims and their families,” underscores Emmerson. “The victims want that put right.”

 Victims have demanded the adoption of a single normative structure that acknowledges their suffering.

 Subsequently the report includes the proposal of “Framework Principles.” This set of principles calls on states to revise their legislation, procedures and practice to fully secure the human rights of victims of terrorism.

 “Whilst these rights have been recognised at the regional level, they have not so far been fully protected on the international plane,” Emmerson said. “That is why I am recommending the adoption of a specific international instrument, negotiated under the auspices of the UN.”

 The Special Rapporteur proposed that member states consider his recommendations in the upcoming review at the U.N. General Assembly of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy on 28 and 29 of June 2012.