51³Ô¹Ï

Victims of Terrorism Day Banner
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Acts of terrorism propagating a wide-range of hateful ideologies continue to injure, harm and kill thousands of innocent people each year.

Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims and survivors of terrorism often 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, with profound consequences for them. 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.

Member States have the primary responsibility to support victims of terrorism and uphold their rights. The 51³Ô¹Ï has an important role in supporting Member States to implement the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by standing in solidarity and providing support to victims of terrorism; offering capacity building assistance; establishing networks; and offering support to civil society organizations, particularly victims' associations; and encouraging Member States to promote, protect and respect the rights of victims of terrorism. The 51³Ô¹Ï provides technical assistance and capacity-building to Member States and victims' associations in better addressing the needs of victims of terrorism.

Background

In its (2017), the General Assembly, established the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to be 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.

In April 2020, mandated by General Assembly resolution 73/305, the 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres published his report on the ¡®Progress of the UN system to support Member States in assisting victims of terrorism¡¯ (), which calls for the 'enhancement of international cooperation to assist victims of terrorism'.

Member States, through the biennial review resolutions of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy have emphasized the important role of victims of terrorism in countering terrorism, promoting international solidarity, preventing violent extremism, 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 in 2019 of a Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, 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 of women, children and those affected by sexual and gender-based violence committed by terrorists. It encourages all Member States to develop national comprehensive assistance plans for victims of terrorism and their families to address the immediate-, short- and long-term needs of victims of terrorism.

The resolution welcomed the first 51³Ô¹Ï Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at UN Headquarters, encourages the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, through the Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the 51³Ô¹Ï 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 organisations, which can play a valuable role in assisting and supporting victims of terrorism.

2024 Event ¡ª Voices for Peace: Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators

On the seventh commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on 21 August 2024, join us to honor the powerful voices of victims as they use their experiences and journeys to create meaningful and positive change by raising awareness about the long-lasting impact of terrorism. By amplifying these voices, the International Day seeks to inspire collective action and empower individuals and communities to work towards a future defined by peace, solidarity, and resilience. For more information about 2024 International Day events, please see #UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism #VictimsofTerrorism #UNCCT

Resources

Documents

  • General Assembly Resolution

Websites

Related observances

Ant¨®nio Guterres (right), Vladimir Voronkov, USG, Office of Counter-Terrorism

The 51³Ô¹Ï Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established on 15 June 2017 through the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution . Mr. Vladimir Voronkov was appointed as its first Under-Secretary-General. By providing Secretariat support, UNOCT works together with the members of 51³Ô¹Ï Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact to prevent and counter terrorism and the underlying spread of violent extremism.

 

A woman lights candle

The Support Portal is dedicated to and highlights the importance of those individuals across the globe that have been attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their lives during terrorist attacks. We reflect on the pain and suffering of those who lost loved ones; and we resolve to listen to them and learn from them. We commit to support survivors scarred by heinous acts of terrorism by amplifying their voices, protecting their rights, and seeking justice.

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the 51³Ô¹Ï, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.