A/HRC/30/64 I. Introduction 1. Pursuant to its resolution 28/17 entitled “Effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights”, the Human Rights Council convened a panel discussion on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment by all persons of human rights and fundamental freedoms, on 30 June 2015.1 2. The panel discussion was chaired and moderated by the Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai. The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Flavia Pansieri, delivered the opening address. The panellists were Ben Emmerson, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Steven Siqueira, Deputy Director, Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre; and Mauro Miedico, Chief of the Implementation Support Section III, Terrorism Prevention Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 3. Also in resolution 28/17, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on the panel discussion in the form of a summary and to submit it to the Council at its thirtieth session. The present report is submitted pursuant to that request. II. Opening statement 4. In her opening statement, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner stated that terrorism destabilized Governments, undermined societies, jeopardized peace and security and threatened economic and social development, all of which had serious implications for the enjoyment of human rights by all. Terrorist attacks had devastating consequences for victims, often directly impacting their rights to life, liberty and security. However, direct victims were not the only ones affected; relatives and entire communities lived in fear and suffered long-standing trauma following attacks. The recent spate of attacks illustrated the direct impact of terrorism on human rights. 5. The human rights of victims of terrorism needed to be acknowledged and their loss and dignity recognized. Victims needed immediate assistance and long-term medical, psychosocial and financial support to compensate for the destruction of their property or loss of their livelihood and jobs. Victims also had the right to equal access to justice and an effective remedy, with a view to benefiting from adequate and prompt reparation for the harm suffered. 6. For counter-terrorism efforts to be successful, dealing with the aftermath of terrorism was not sufficient, rather prevention was necessary and critical. Prevention of terrorism required understanding the conditions conducive to such abhorrent acts, including a deeper appreciation of the linkages between such conditions and the lack of respect for human rights, corruption, impunity, absence of rule of law and lack of development and prospects for a peaceful future. Terrorism tended to thrive in situations of prolonged armed conflict, chronic instability and systemic human rights violations, including discrimination, 1 2 All written contributions to the discussion are available at https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/ HRCSessions/RegularSessions/29thSession/Pages/OralStatement.aspx?MeetingNumber=37& MeetingDate=Tuesday, 30 June 2015.