FORUM: "Voices for Peace: Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators." International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2024. This year’s theme emphasizes the pivotal role of victims and survivors as agents of change and peace educators. It pays tribute to victims and survivors of terrorism across the world and to their efforts to transform their personal tragedies into collective strengths, emphasizing the importance of heeding their voices when they advocate for peacebuilding initiatives while also fostering dialogue and promoting understanding among diverse communities. These efforts are critical components of peaceful and open societies, to which victims and survivors of terrorism play a pivotal role. On this day we will held discussions on evaluating the potential threats and What are terrorism threat levels?. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism, #UNCCT, #VictimsofTerrorism, #21August, #FindingHope, #BuildingaPeacefulFuture.
EVENTS: 7th commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. Amid the multiplicity of violent conflicts and terrorist attacks worldwide, this day continues to honour victims and survivors of terrorism, ensure their voices are elevated, raise awareness and highlight global solidarity. By amplifying the voices and experiences of victims, the International Day seeks to inspire collective action and empower individuals and communities to work towards a future defined by peace, solidarity, and resilience.
At UNHQ New York, on August 21st; The United Nations marks the seventh commemoration. To observe the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2024, the UNCCT will highlight the powerful voices of victims of terrorism throughout their experiences and journeys to create meaningful and positive change by raising awareness about the long-lasting impact of terrorism and by honouring those whose lives were lost and those whose lives were forever altered. This year’s International Day commemoration will consist of a live virtual event featuring a high-level segment followed by a panel discussion featuring victims and survivors of terrorism. In the lead up to International Day, from 23 July to 23 August 2024, the “Memories” exhibition, alongside three Legacy Project short clips, will be displayed in the Visitors’ Lobby of the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
1. High-level Virtual Event: On 21 August 2024, the International Day commemoration will feature a high-level virtual event, which will include a pre-recorded message from the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, as well as statements by the Under-Secretary-General for CounterTerrorism, Mr Vladimir Voronkov, the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism (Iraq and Spain) and two victims of terrorism who will share their experiences and deliver a call-to-action emphasizing how education and peace are interlinked to peacebuilding.
2. Panel Discussion on Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators: A virtual panel discussion will follow the high-level segment. The panel will feature five participants, including victims and survivors of terrorism, victims’ associations and Member States to reflect and foster discussion on the transformative power of victims’ voices when used to raise awareness, build peace, and contribute to strengthening more resilient communities. Panelists will also discuss initiatives that have successfully promoted peace and understanding, offering valuable insight into efforts to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism and its impact on individuals and communities. The final panel selection will be geographically diverse and gender balanced. Read the concept note!
PUBLICATIONS: Study of terrorism and Responses to terrorism from a consortium of researchers dedicated to improving the understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism.
Acts of terrorism create a wave of unimaginable grief.
Families and communities torn apart by terrorist acts are forever changed.
The scars – both visible and invisible – never fully heal.
Through the torment and tragedy, we have also witnessed remarkable examples of resilience and the enduring power of our common humanity.
This year’s theme is “Voices for Peace: Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators”.
We pay tribute to all victims and survivors, including those who have chosen to share their stories about perseverance, and forgiveness.
Reflecting on personal trauma to educate others is an act of immense courage.
This day urges us to listen and to learn.
And it is a reminder that we must always seek out the light of hope.
Together, we can raise up the voices of all victims and survivors.
Together, we can help educate present and future generations.
Together, we can build more peaceful, resilient societies for all.
Thank you.
United Nations Secretary-General.
Terrorism continues to inflict a grim toll of death, personal injury and hostage-taking all over the world. In the past year, I have heard victims speak of the ‘pure horror’ of terrorist attacks and the feeling that they are ‘going to die’.
Some victims have also spoken of how ‘life only got worse’ after the attack, they ‘think of the attack every day’, the ‘trauma never heals’ and ‘it feels like there is no future’.
Victims often suffer life-long physical pain and disabilities, as well as psychological scars. Some lose their jobs or livelihoods, can no longer attend school or university, or experience break-downs in personal relationships with friends and family members.
I pay tribute to the many victims who show incredible courage and resilience as they ‘learn how to live again’, often with the help of their families, friends and communities. To rebuild their lives, victims also need comprehensive and sustained support from governments.
Many countries have not yet put in place adequate measures to help victims. I urge all countries to assist and protect victims of terrorism in accordance with international law and based on the good practices in the UN Model Legislative Provisionsto Support the Needs and Protect the Rights of Victims of Terrorism.
Countries must provide comprehensive assistance for as long as necessary, including medical, psychological, social and material support. They should physically and psychologically protect victims, including their privacy. They should ensure reparation, including state-funded compensation, where necessary.
Countries should also ensure victims learn the truth about attacks, including through independent and impartial investigations, prosecutions to bring perpetrators to justice, and accountability for any failures by state authorities to prevent foreseeable terrorist attacks.
Victims must also be able to access information about their rights, enjoy access to justice and fully participate in legal proceedings.
Victims should be publicly recognised and commemorated.
All programmes to assist victims must be victim-centred, be human rights-based and accountable. These programmes must adopt a ‘do no harm’ approach, avoid secondary victimisation and engage victims’ associations and civil society.
Countries must address the needs of vulnerable victims, including children, women and girls, victims of sexual or gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, the elderly, minorities, indigenous peoples, cross-border victims, victims in armed conflict and displaced people.
International solidarity is also crucial in both assisting cross-border victims and supporting countries that lack the capacity to address large-scale emergencies or protracted conflicts that can devastate whole communities. Regional organisations and the UN should support national efforts.
All countries must respect international law when countering terrorism. Illegal measures thwart truth and justice for victims, including methods such as extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, unfair trials, and violations of international humanitarian law.
To assist victims of terrorism, countries must also address conditions conducive to terrorism more systematically. In the UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy, all countries agreed that these conditions can include ‘prolonged unresolved conflicts, dehumanisation of victims of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, lack of the rule of law and violations of human rights, ethnic, national and religious discrimination, political exclusion, socio-economic marginalisation and lack of good governance.’
I stand ready to advise any country that wishes to strengthen protection of victims of terrorism, improve compliance with international law when countering terrorism, or address conditions conducive to terrorism.”
Mr.Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.
LIVESTREAM: Watch the Commemoration!
