Launch of Model Legislative Provisions to Support and Protect the Rights and Needs of Victims of Terrorism
Virtual event organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism/United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Geneva/ New York / Vienna, 04 February 2022 – The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism/United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNOCT-UNCCT) together with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) virtually launched the Model Legislative Provisions to support and protect the rights and needs of victims of terrorism.
The Model Legislative Provisions will serve as a model against which existing national laws and procedures related to victims of terrorism are reviewed, and towards the development of national legislation where applicable. They will also serve to systematize and promote the exchange of information between Member States regarding good practices supporting and protecting victims of terrorism.
The Model Legislative Provisions will include guidance on the implementation of laws and procedures to support adaptation in different countries, as well as provide suggestions for formulating provisions based on various legal systems, as necessary.
The Provisions are comprehensive and underline the need for States to follow a victim-centric approach in addressing the rights and needs of victims.
The Model Legislative Provisions were developed through a series of expert consultations organized by UNOCT-UNCCT, IPU and UNODC, which took place in July 2020, and between November 2020-January 2021. The consultations included the participation of national institutions, parliaments, civil society organizations including victims’ associations and victims, academic institutions as well as experts from the United Nations and other regional organizations.
A core group of dedicated experts, composed of staff from United Nations Entities, representatives of victims’ associations and victims provided technical support to guide the drafting process of the Model Legislative Provisions.
Watch the recorded event .
The Model Legislative Provisions developed by UNOCT/UNCCT, IPU and UNODC aim to serve as a model for the review of existing laws and procedures related to victims of terrorism and to develop legislation where no legislation exists. The provisions will systematize and promote the exchange of information regarding existing good practices and will serve to draw attention to the urgency of taking concrete steps to protect, assist and support victims of terrorism. The Model Legislative Provisions offer guidance on the implementation of laws and procedures to support adaptation in different countries, as well as provide suggestions for formulating provisions based on various legal systems. Grounding Member States’ national comprehensive assistance plans in legislation will help to ensure that they are implemented and that the rights of victims of terrorism are protected by law. Available in: English