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Background

Acts of terrorism that propagate a wide range of hateful ideologies continue to injure, harm and kill thousands of innocent people. Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims and survivors of terrorism struggle to have their voices heard, their needs supported, and their rights upheld. Victims often feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack fades, resulting in profound consequences for them over the short, medium and long term. Few Member States have the resources or the capacity to fulfil the medium and long-term needs of victims of terrorism to enable them to fully recover, rehabilitate and re-integrate into society. Most victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through long-term multi-dimensional support, including physical, psychological, social and financial support.

Member States have the primary responsibility to support victims of terrorism and uphold their rights. The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as the guiding framework to support Member States efforts to end terrorism and prevent violent extremism, seeks to support victims and survivors of terrorism through two of its four pillars. The United Nations has an important role in supporting Member States to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by standing in solidarity and advocating for victims of terrorism; offering capacity building assistance; establishing support networks; and providing technical assistance and capacity-building to Member States and victims' associations to better address the needs of victims of terrorism and protect, promote and respect their rights.
 

About the International Day

In its resolution, the General Assembly established the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism commemorated annually on 21 August in order to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Member States, through subsequent review resolutions of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy have emphasized the important role of victims of terrorism in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism conducive to terrorism, in promoting international solidarity, and helping Member States recognize and uphold their human rights and support their distinct needs.

Since the sixth review of the Strategy (2018), developments at the international, regional, and national levels have increasingly demonstrated that support to victims has moved beyond symbolic solidarity towards a more robust engagement to advance their rights and needs. This is reflected in the establishment by like-minded Member States of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism (2019) and the adoption of General Assembly resolution on the enhancement of international cooperation to assist victims of terrorism.

The eighth review resolution, adopted on 22 June 2023 (), notes the importance of upholding the rights and supporting the needs of victims of terrorism, in particular those of women, children and victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the context of terrorism.  It encourages all Member States to develop national comprehensive assistance plans for victims of terrorism and their families to address their immediate, short and long-term needs.

About the United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism

The eight review resolution of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2023) welcomed the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at UN Headquarters, and encouraged the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, through the Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal, to continue to raise awareness on victims of terrorism and the promotion and protection of their rights. This includes strengthening the capacity of Member States to assist victims of terrorism and strengthen their engagement with relevant civil society and private sector organizations, which can play a valuable role in assisting and supporting victims of terrorism.

The Global Congress concluded with seven concrete action points, detailed in its outcome document, a Chair’s Summary, which were proposed as next steps to chart the future of the international victims of terrorism agenda. These action points include sharing good practices and lessons learned with requesting Member States to support victims of terrorism and their families, assisting states to develop and strengthen legislation on victims of terrorism, reinforcing the United Nations’ cooperation and collaboration with victims and victims’ associations, and continuing to raise awareness on and for victims. The Chair’s Summary also proposed hosting periodic international conferences to review progress made on the implementation of actions and recommendations emerging from the Global Congress and to maintain international momentum on the international victims of terrorism agenda.

To this effect, the United Nations International Conference on Victims of Terrorism: Education as a Tool for Prevention, 国产AVbuilding, and Empowerment of Victims of Terrorism will take place in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, on 8-9 October 2024. The event will explore the pivotal role of victims of terrorism as agents of change and peace educators, and how their voices can help raise awareness of the human consequences of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. Individuals who have experienced the devastation of terrorism firsthand often emerge as powerful advocates for reconciliation, healing, and advocacy. Many victims and survivors of terrorism have chosen to transform their personal tragedies into collective strength to advocate and lead peacebuilding initiatives, foster dialogue, and promote understanding among diverse communities.