OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2022-23 (2. samling)
OSCE Alm.del Bilag 26
Offentligt
2685762_0001.png
RESOLUTION ON
VICTIMS OF TERRORISM
1
1. Reiterating that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international
peace and security, and unequivocally condemning all acts, methods and practices of
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed,
regardless of their motivation, as criminal and unjustifiable, while emphasizing that
terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism cannot and should not be
associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group,
2. Deploring, in the strongest terms, the incitement of terrorist acts, and repudiating
attempts at the justification or glorification of terrorist acts, which may incite further
terrorist acts, while respecting the right to freedom of expression reflected in Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article 19 of the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
3. Condemning all acts of terrorism, international and domestic, including such acts based
on hatred, intolerance, racism and discrimination, which the Assembly noted at its 2021
Remote Session were escalating across the OSCE region,
4. Strongly condemning all forms of sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated by
terrorist groups, including abductions, trafficking in persons, rape, forced marriage,
enslavement, and all other forms of violence, especially that suffered by women and
children, and stressing that all those victims should be recognized as victims
irrespective of their perceived status or affiliation with such groups and are thus entitled
to all gender-sensitive and victim-centred support, as well as the importance of closing
the impunity gap for perpetrators and increasing rehabilitation and reintegration
measures for victims,
5. Underscoring that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law
are complementary to and mutually reinforce effective counter-terrorism measures, and
noting the importance of respect for the rule of law so as to effectively prevent and
counter terrorism,
1
Resolution on Victims of Terrorism of the Birmingham Declaration and Resolutions, adopted by the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly at the 29
th
Annual Session, Birmingham, 2-6 July 2022.
https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/annual-sessions/2022-birmingham/4409-birmingham-declaration-eng/file
1
 OSCE, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 26: Offer from UNOCT on technical support for Model Legislative Provisions on Victims of Terrorism
2685762_0002.png
6. Reiterating that States bear the primary responsibility for preventing and countering
terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, while respecting
their obligations under applicable domestic and international law,
7. Deeply deploring the suffering caused by terrorism to the victims and their
families/beloved ones, reaffirming its profound solidarity with the victims and
survivors of terrorism and heartfelt condolences to their families and to the people and
governments that have been targeted, and emphasizing the need to promote
international solidarity in support of all victims of terrorism and to ensure that they are
treated with dignity and respect,
8. Reaffirming the determination to remain united in preventing and countering terrorism,
through increased international co-operation and a sustained and comprehensive
approach at all relevant levels involving the active participation and co-operation of all
participating States and relevant international and regional organizations as well as
local communities and civil society, especially victims of terrorism themselves, their
associations and organizations, and sharing on a voluntary basis of best practices and
lessons learned related to the protection of victims of terrorism,
9. Stressing the importance of treating victims with compassion and providing victims
with access to their rights, in accordance with applicable domestic and international
law, to help them to rebuild their lives and the lives of their families, including the
rights to assistance, accountability, reparation or restitution, truth, protection,
information and access to justice, and properly supporting and assisting them
immediately after an attack and in the long term,
10. Underlining the need to ensure that the suffering of victims is not instrumentalized and
expressions of solidarity with them are not used to justify abusive or excessive counter-
terrorism measures incompatible with applicable domestic and international law,
11. Emphasizing that measures to support and assist victims of terrorism must ensure non-
discrimination and equality among victims of all crimes to avoid creating any hierarchy
among victims, and that any difference in treatment afforded to victims of acts of
terrorism, as distinct from victims of other crimes, should be based upon their specific
needs in accordance with applicable domestic and international law and recognized best
practices,
12. Emphasizing the importance of involving civil society, in particular families, youth,
women, victims of terrorism, and religious, cultural and educational leaders, as well as
the media, including information technology companies, in supporting victims,
including in the provision of assistance and medical, legal, psychosocial or financial
support services,
13. Recognizing the decisive role that victims of terrorism, victims’ associations and civil
society actors can play in efforts to counter terrorism by bringing public awareness to
the human impact of terrorist acts, which can also contribute to the prevention of
terrorism and the building of resilience and social cohesion,
14. Highlighting the importance of effective co-ordination and co-operation among
relevant governmental authorities, civil society organizations, including victims’,
2
 OSCE, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 26: Offer from UNOCT on technical support for Model Legislative Provisions on Victims of Terrorism
2685762_0003.png
community-based and grassroots organizations, and private sector providers in
supporting and assisting victims,
15. Underscoring further the central role of the UN in preventing and countering terrorism
and violent extremism, and the need for all States' actions to be conducted in
compliance with the UN Charter and all other applicable obligations under international
law, including international human rights law, international refugee law, and
international humanitarian law, as well as relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,
16. Welcoming the new UN Model Legislative Provisions to Support and Protect the Rights
and Needs of Victims of Terrorism, also reflecting the contribution of the OSCE PA in
the drafting of these Provisions, and commending the adoption of UN General
Assembly Resolution 73/305 to enhance international co-operation to assist victims of
terrorism, and of UN General Assembly Resolution 72/165 establishing an
International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism,
17. Welcoming the outcomes of the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism in
the sphere of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held in Madrid, Spain, on 15–16
November 2018, which underlined the urgency to coherently address the complex
needs of the victims of terrorism by duly integrating them into comprehensive counter-
terrorism policies and practices at the national level, as well as the efforts of the UN
Conference on Victims of Terrorism, held in Rome on 7–8 June 2022 in co-operation
with the OSCE PA and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, on
promoting this topic at a parliamentary level,
18. Welcoming further important efforts by the Council of Europe to expand its work in
this area, including through the 24/7 Network of Single Contact Points for the exchange
of procedural information regarding the legal standing of victims of terrorism, to
facilitate cross border information sharing,
19. Recalling the efforts of the OSCE in preventing and countering terrorism, and in
particular, noting the OSCE Ministerial Council Declaration on Preventing and
Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (2015) and
the OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 618 on Solidarity with Victims of
Terrorism (2004),
20. Confirming the importance of the full implementation of the OSCE PA’s Resolution
on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism and Radicalization
that lead to Terrorism (2018) and Resolution on the Challenges Related to Returning
and Relocating Foreign Terrorist Fighters (2019), which call for inclusive, effective and
human rights-compliant counter-terrorism responses in the OSCE region,
21. Taking positive note of the recurring themes identified by the OSCE PA Ad Hoc
Committee on Countering Terrorism as priority areas where the Assembly may add a
distinct parliamentary value, including support to the victims of terrorism, and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in countering terrorism, as well
as welcoming timely counter-terrorism initiatives implemented by the Ad Hoc
Committee on Countering Terrorism since 2020
3
 OSCE, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 26: Offer from UNOCT on technical support for Model Legislative Provisions on Victims of Terrorism
2685762_0004.png
22. Hailing the OSCE PA’s strategic partnership with the OSCE executive structures on
countering terrorism, as well as with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
(UNOCT), which led to the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding
between the two organizations in 2020, and to the launching of a new Counter-
Terrorism Co-ordination Mechanism among Parliamentary Assemblies in 2021,
23. Welcoming the establishment of the UN Global Programme on Parliamentary
Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism, implemented in partnership with
inter-parliamentary assemblies and other international organizations, to expand the
reach of parliamentarians in working towards the full implementation of the
international counter-terrorism framework,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
24. Calls on OSCE participating States to swiftly and fully implement the international
legal framework on countering terrorism, as well as relevant OSCE commitments in
this field;
25. Calls on participating States to decisively address domestic terrorism targeted at groups
based on ethnicity, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, political
affiliation or citizenship status, including through the adoption of an OSCE Anti-
Discrimination, Equity, and Inclusion Plan, as urged by the Assembly at its 2021
Remote Session;
26. Exhorts OSCE participating States to adopt and align relevant national legislation in
line with the new UN Model Legislative Provisions to Support and Protect the Rights
and Needs of Victims of Terrorism, as appropriate;
27. Calls upon all OSCE participating States to develop comprehensive assistance plans for
victims of terrorism, regardless of whether the perpetrator of the terrorist act is
identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted, consistent with domestic law, taking
into account a gender perspective, to address the immediate, shortterm and long-term
needs of victims of terrorism and their families, with regard to their relief and
rehabilitation, ensuring that they are provided with proper support and assistance, both
immediately after an attack and in the long term;
28. Encourages OSCE participating States to co-operate with relevant institutions of civil
society in initiating, developing and implementing policies and services that empower
victims of terrorism, as well as in expressing solidarity with, and providing support for,
the victims of terrorism and their families;
29. Calls on all OSCE participating States to ensure that victims of terrorism receive the
material, medical, psychological and social assistance that is necessary to meet their
needs as victims, and that all assistance is accessible and available, on a non-
discriminatory basis, including to groups with special needs or vulnerabilities;
30. Prompts national authorities to ensure the right of victims of terrorism to full, adequate,
effective and prompt reparation for all harm suffered from terrorism, including where
it is not available from a person or entity responsible for such terrorism;
4
 OSCE, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 26: Offer from UNOCT on technical support for Model Legislative Provisions on Victims of Terrorism
2685762_0005.png
31. Appeals to OSCE participating States to ensure that victims are timely informed of their
rights to assistance, reparation, protection and access to justice and that they are
provided with effective, fair, humane, transparent and accountable criminal justice
systems, in accordance with applicable domestic and international law, and provided
with measures to support each victim’s specific needs, including when developing and
maintaining appropriate strategies for prosecution and rehabilitation;
32. Calls upon OSCE participating States to respect the dignity and legal rights of victims
of terrorism, as provided for in domestic law, in criminal litigation, and in gaining
access to justice, to enable full participation by victims of terrorism and involvement in
all appropriate stages of criminal proceedings, including the right to be considered for
witness protection measures and appropriate support during criminal proceedings,
awareness of court proceedings and charges, the right to be treated with fairness and
with respect for their dignity and privacy, and for their safety from intimidation and
retaliation, in particular where they appear as witnesses, the right to full and timely
restitution, and the ability to address the court and consult with prosecutors;
33. Urges OSCE participating States to implement necessary measures to prevent
secondary and repeat victimization to victims of terrorism within the criminal justice
process, duly emphasizing the importance of a victim-centred approach and the
principle of “do no harm” with respect to the rights, dignity, and well-being of victims,
with due regard to particular vulnerabilities, and the need for appropriate trauma-
informed training for professionals who come into contact with victims;
34. Encourages OSCE participating States to establish a permanent co-ordination body for
victims of terrorism composed of representatives from all relevant public authorities
and civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations, victims’
associations, victims’ advocates and women’s rights associations;
35. Urges OSCE participating States to develop a multidisciplinary and accessible crisis
response team that includes victim assistance professionals, which proactively
identifies victims and assesses their needs in the aftermath of an attack;
36. Urges parliamentarians in the OSCE region to strengthen national legislation essential
in combating terrorism, promote respect for and solidarity with victims of terrorism,
and speak out strongly and promptly against terrorism and violent extremism and
radicalization leading to terrorism;
37. Encourages OSCE participating States to further develop the role and profile of the
OSCE as a regional security platform for the exchange of good practice, lessons learned
and information, as well as for promoting co-operation among participating States,
including on victims of terrorism;
38. Calls on the 2022 and 2023 Chairs-in-Office of the OSCE to continue to promote an
active role for the OSCE in this domain, and encourages the OSCE executive structures
in co-operation with the OSCE PA and by leveraging on their respective strengths to
continue to raise awareness, promote good practices, and assist the OSCE participating
States in the implementation of relevant international obligations and OSCE
5
 OSCE, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 26: Offer from UNOCT on technical support for Model Legislative Provisions on Victims of Terrorism
2685762_0006.png
commitments, in line with the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security and taking
into account a gender- and child- sensitive perspective;
39. Encourages the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism to continue to
add value in this field through targeted initiatives in partnership with national and
international stakeholders aimed at promoting the full implementation of the global
counter-terrorism framework while, at the same time, fostering greater parliamentary
engagement in counter-terrorism matters, including by leveraging its co-operation with
the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Security Council Counter-
Terrorism Committee (UNSC CTC);
40. Tasks the OSCE PA International Secretariat to continue to support the work of the
OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism through the organization of
regular meetings and other targeted initiatives, as relevant and within available
resources.
6