Council stresses need to improve support and recognition
The Council approved conclusions on improving support and recognition of victims of terrorism.
The conclusions highlight that the fight against terrorism must be approached not only from a security perspective but also by focusing on the people directly affected by terrorist acts.
The act of terrorism has a devastating effect on people. Support for the victims of terrorism is essential for their healing process. It is also indispensable for making our societies more resilient.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, Spanish minister of the interior
In order to advance the support, assistance and protection of victims of terrorism, the conclusions encourage a swift adoption of the targeted revision of the victims’ rights directive – currently on the Council table – and the adoption of measures to ensure recognition and respect for the victims of terrorism, including by promoting training for professionals dealing with them.
Remembrance policies
The conclusions highlight that the remembrance of the victims of terrorism is critical for their recovery process, to foster social cohesion and for the defence of democratic values. They also point to the fact that victims must have a central role in remembrance policies because their testimonies are a powerful tool to raise awareness of the human consequences of terrorism and to prevent radicalisation.
Member states are hence invited to promote victims of terrorism policies so that their physical and psychological suffering is not forgotten and that those policies can also be used as an instrument to prevent violent radicalisation.
National contact points
In 2018, the Council called on member states to put in place a national contact point responsible for the provision of information for victims of terrorism. These contact points are organised in an EU-wide network, which facilitates the exercise of cross-border victims’ rights.
The conclusions recall that preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack should also extend to anticipating support for the victims, in particular by nominating a single point of contact for victims of terrorism.
Background
In the EU, a directive on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime ensures that persons who have fallen victim to crime are recognised and treated with respect. The law stipulates that they must receive proper protection, support and access to justice. It also obliges EU countries to ensure appropriate training on victims' needs for officials who are likely to come into contact with victims.
On 12 July 2023, the Commission proposed to amend the victims’ rights directive. This update is now being discussed within the Council and the European Parliament.
For victims of certain crimes, such as terrorism, the EU has put additional measures in place to respond more directly to their specific needs. The counter-terrorism directive provides victims of terrorism with additional rights to support, protection and assistance that respond.
The European Commission has also set up an EU centre of expertise for victims of terrorism to offer expertise, guidance and support to national authorities and victim support organisations. It helps to ensure that national structures offer professional assistance and support to victims of terrorism in every EU country.