A/HRC/19/38 mechanisms to support victims, she referred to the importance of the right to effective remedies and reparation for the harm suffered by them, as embodied in international human rights standards, including the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power 2 and the 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. 3 The High Commissioner emphasized that victims of terrorist acts should be provided with information, in a timely, truthful and transparent manner, about the facts and circumstances of the terrorist act and any ensuing investigations and judicial proceedings. The victims should be given the opportunity to effectively participate in judicial proceedings and other mechanisms with the appropriate protection against intimidation, retaliation and arbitrary interference with their right to privacy; victims should also be provided with equal access to justice and appropriate assistance throughout the legal proceedings. Concluding her presentation, the High Commissioner called upon States to put in place comprehensive policies and mechanisms to prevent further terrorist attacks, emphasizing that such measures should address effectively human rights violations, including discrimination, enhance respect for the rule of law and tackle the underlying causes of terrorism, such as the obstacles to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. 5. In her presentation, the Political Affairs Officer at the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force pointed out that the panel discussion was an opportunity to recall the international community’s unanimous condemnation of terrorism and to pay tribute to victims of terrorism. She referred to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which offered a strategic framework, policy guidance and a plan of action for collective counter-terrorism efforts at all levels. She emphasized that the Strategy gave special importance to the promotion and protection of human rights, including the human rights of victims of terrorism. The Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force had been established to coordinate system-wide activities to assist States in implementing the Strategy. She emphasized that supporting the victims of terrorism remained one of the priorities of the Task Force, as the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy calls to build international solidarity with victims of terrorism. She referred to the importance of the recommendations of the Symposium on Supporting Victims of Terrorism, and the recent initiatives of the Task Force in preparing a compendium of best practices for supporting victims of terrorist crimes and related offences, and in organizing a media training programme for victims of terrorism to give them a stronger voice. She concluded her presentation by recalling that terrorism was a challenge to human rights and pointed to the important role of States in countering it. 6. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Mr. Scheinin, emphasized the importance of a victim’s perspective in a comprehensive and holistic approach to his mandate. He pointed to the responsibility of States in implementing human rights and called for the creation of mechanisms for the effective implementation of human rights obligations, including with respect to non-State actors. The Special Rapporteur referred to his country visits and stated that there was no contradiction between defending the human rights of victims of terrorism and the human rights of persons affected by counter-terrorism measures. It appeared that those Governments ignorant of the human rights violations resulting from their counter-terrorism measures are often also ignorant about the human rights of victims of terrorism. The Special Rapporteur referred to his report submitted to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/16/51) on 10 areas of best practice in countering terrorism, 2 3 4 General Assembly resolution 40/34, annex. General Assembly, 60/147, annex.