Globalization of Terrorism and Mechanisms for Effective Protection of Its Victims

In protection of victims of terrorism, the rule is to compensate the material and moral damages of the victims through the mechanisms provided for in the national legal systems including by the specific private institutions and State funds. Globalization of the phenomenon of terrorism is leading to globalization of the norms and mechanisms for protection of the victims. There are now a number of regional and international documents protecting victims in general and victims of the acts of terrorism in particular. For example, the 1983 European Convention on the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes, the 1985 GA Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, the 2005 Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law and the Statute of the International Criminal Court are of importance. They recognize the rights of the victims of terrorism to restitution, material and economic compensation, criminal protection, medical, psychological and psychiatric aids, police and security assistance and legal and cultural protections. However, more effective protective measures are required.