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 frequently feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack subsides, which has profound consequences for them. Few member states have the resources or capacity to meet the medium- and long-term needs of victims of terrorism so that they can fully recover, rehabilitate, and reintegrate into society. Most victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through sustained, multifaceted support, including physical, psychological, social, and financial assistance.
Member states have the primary responsibility for supporting victims of terrorism and upholding their rights. The United Nations plays a vital role in assisting member states in implementing the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy by demonstrating solidarity and providing support to victims of terrorism; offering capacity-building assistance; creating networks; and supporting civil society organizations, particularly victim associations; and encouraging member states to promote, protect, and respect the rights of victims of terrorism. The United Nations provides technical assistance and capacity-building to member states and victim associations to better address the needs of victims of terrorism.
In its resolution 72/165 (2017), the General Assembly established the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism, to be commemorated annually on August 21, with the aim of honoring and supporting victims and survivors of terrorism and promoting and protecting the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In April 2020, based on General Assembly resolution 73/305, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, released his report on "Progress in the UN system's support to member states in assisting victims of terrorism" (A/74/790), which calls for "strengthening international cooperation to assist victims of terrorism."
Member states have emphasized the important role of victims of terrorism in the fight against terrorism, promoting international solidarity, preventing violent extremism, and helping member states recognize and respect their human rights and support their specific needs through two-year resolutions reviewing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
Since the sixth review of the Strategy (2018), developments at the international, regional, and national levels increasingly demonstrate that victim support has moved beyond symbolic solidarity towards greater engagement in promoting their rights and needs. This is reflected in the establishment of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism in 2019 and the adoption of General Assembly resolution A/RES/73/305 on strengthening international cooperation to assist victims of terrorism.
The eighth review resolution, adopted on June 22, 2023 (A/RES/77/298), emphasizes the importance of upholding the rights and supporting the needs of victims of terrorism, particularly women, children, and persons affected by sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated by terrorists. It calls upon all member states to develop comprehensive national plans to assist victims of terrorism and their families in order to address the immediate, short-term, and long-term needs of victims of terrorism.
``````htmlThe resolution welcomed the first UN Global Congress for Victims of Terrorism, which took place in September 2022 at the UN headquarters, and calls on the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism to continue raising awareness about victims of terrorism and promoting and protecting their rights through the Global Support Program for Victims of Terrorism and the UN Victim Support Portal. This includes strengthening the capacity of Member States to assist victims of terrorism and enhancing their engagement with relevant civil society organizations and the private sector, which can play a valuable role in assisting and supporting victims of terrorism.
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