Supporting victims key factor in fight against terrorism, speakers at OSCE meeting say

VIENNA, 13 September 2007 - The role of civilian networks, including those of victims, is key factor in the fight against terrorism, a high-level representative of the Spanish OSCE Chairmanship said at an OSCE conference on solidarity with victims of terrorism that started in Vienna today.

"Victims of terrorism have a vital role in keeping us aware of the harmful consequences of terrorist acts. We must combine efforts of civil society, the legislator and security services, while scrupulously respecting the rule of law, in order to root out terrorism," said Josep Borrell Fontelles, Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

During the two-day conference, almost 200 participants will discuss issues such as how to define who is a terrorist victim, how to best support them, how to ensure justice and how the international community can co-operate to improve the situation of victims.

Borrell Fontelles stressed the need to treat victims of terrorism with dignity and compassion as well as justice.

"In many cases, they become isolated and even feel guilty somehow as a consequence of their ordeal. Our role is to ensure their reintegration and that justice is done. We must give victims of terrorism back the voice that terrorists have tried to take away. If we do not, then victory is the terrorists'," he said.

Toralv Nordbo, Deputy Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, added:

"Until recently, victim support strategies were largely a matter of domestic policy. However, the devastating attacks in New York, London, Madrid and Moscow, serve to highlight that today's threat of terrorism is not contained by national borders and States need to collaborate to tackle the criminal elements of terrorism and its root causes. This includes the involvement of civil society in a global campaign against terrorism."

OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said the OSCE was a good forum to promote such co-operation, guided by the 1975 Helsinki Final Act - which created the predecessor to the OSCE, the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe - and its emphasis on promoting "the inherent dignity of the individual".

"The OSCE approach to counter-terrorism lies on this same foundation," he said. "This means that national and international measures against terrorism should be implemented in accordance with the rule of law, and with respect for human rights."

The meeting continues on Friday. For more information, please see the conference website: High-Level Meeting on Victims of Terrorism Vienna, 13-14 September 2007