A/HRC/19/38 in developing programmes and providing Member States with technical legal and related assistance concerning specialized thematic areas, including terrorism, supporting victims of terrorism and building the capacity of criminal justice systems of Member States to bring perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice. B. Regional and domestic practices for the protection of the human rights of victims of terrorism 14. During the panel discussion, many delegations emphasized that reparation to victims of terrorism was a fundamental aspect of protecting and promoting their human rights, and referred to practices at the regional and national levels. 15. At the regional level, the Guidelines on the Protection of Victims of Terrorist Acts, adopted by the Council of Europe in 2005, recognized the suffering endured by victims and called for national and international solidarity and support. The Guidelines were further endorsed by the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, the first binding instrument in Europe to address the issue of the prevention of terrorism and to contain a binding provision for States on protection, compensation and support for victims of terrorism. Pointing to the challenge to enforce the standards in all its Member States, it was highlighted that the Council of Europe had recently established a follow-up mechanism on the implementation of the Convention. Furthermore, it was stressed that the Council of Europe paid special attention to the right to recognition, the right to support and aid and the right to reparation, while advocating for the protection of the human rights of victims of terrorism. 16. The protection of victims in criminal proceedings was addressed in a number of European Union legislative instruments. It was noted that the Framework Decision on combating terrorism adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2002 represented an addition to the existing “general regime” on victims. It stipulated that “victims of terrorist offences are vulnerable, and therefore specific measures are necessary with regard to them.” The Decision also provided that “each Member State shall, if necessary, take all measures possible to ensure appropriate assistance for victims’ families.” Under the Framework, actions in support of victims include emergency assistance, continuing assistance and support to victim involvement, investigation and prosecution, access to justice, compensation and other reparative measures, restorative justice, protection of the private and family life, protection of dignity and security, the provision of information to victims and the public, and specific training for persons responsible for assisting victims. Moreover, the relevance of support for community-based initiatives, including the formation of groups of victims or relatives to stimulate mutual assistance, empower them and strengthen solidarity in society, was underlined. In this connection, reference was made to the Network of Associations of Victims of Terrorism, established by the European Commission, and its work to enhance transnational cooperation among associations of victims of terrorism and to increase the representation of victims’ interests at the European Union level. 17. In the light of the call of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy upon Member States to put in place “on a voluntary basis, national systems of assistance that would promote the needs of victims of terrorism and their families and facilitate normalization of their lives”, delegations shared their experience at the domestic level. 18. The representative of Turkey referred to the Law on the Compensation of Damages that Occurred due to Terror and the Fight against Terrorism (2004), which lays down the “principles and procedures for compensation of material damages suffered by persons due to terrorist acts or activities undertaken during the fight against terror.” Damages 8