International Day of Victims of Terrorism: Saturday, 21 August 2021

Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to democracy, to the free exercise of human rights and to economic and social development. Terrorism can never be justified, whatever the target and the place where the offence is prepared or committed.

Every year people around the world are unfortunately victims of terrorism. In particular, victims of terrorism are individuals across the globe that have been attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their lives during terrorist attacks. Terrorism causes suffering to the victims and those around them. The impact of terrorism on victims can last a lifetime and reverberate across generations. Traumatic memories cannot be erased. The lives of survivors of attacks, and those of victims’ families, are irreparably damaged.

The need to support and ally with victims of terrorism was elevated by the United Nations General Assembly on 19 December 2017 with Resolution 72/165, which established the 21st of August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. This Day is an important and timely reminder of the harms suffered by victims, and of their needs and rights.

On this fourth annual International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, UIA firmly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stands with the victims of terrorism and their families all over the world and honours their strength and resilience.