International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2023: Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful future

 

PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution (A/RES/72/165 (2017), established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism in order raise awareness on the importance of supporting victims of terrorism during their rehabilitation, to observe a minute of silence for the lost ones, to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism, to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Video on demand 

FORUM: "Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful future." International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2023.

The eighth review resolution, adopted on 22 June 2023 (A/RES/77/298) notes the importance ofupholding 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 todevelop national comprehensive assistance plans for victims of terrorism and their familiestoaddress the immediate-, short- and long-term needs of victims of terrorism. The resolution welcomed the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at United Nations Headquarters, encourages the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, through the Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal, to continue toraise 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 inassisting and supporting victims of terrorism. 

The SDGs 16 promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights are keys to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

Peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance based on the rule of law are important conduits for sustainable development. We are residing in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security, and prosperity, whereas others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed.

There is no doubt that the inclusion of this goal in the SDGs is significant. However, more importantly, it is to be argued that SDG 16 is the most important goal, without which none of the other goals can be sustained. It should be in the core to make realize other goals. 

SDG 16 is just as complex as it is significant. It is persuasive to view peace, security, and governance as complex political issues that fall squarely in the purview of governments and security agencies or as issues specific to “conflict zones.” However, SDG 16 is not just about ending wars and reducing the incidence of violence. In addition to two targets on reducing violence, SDG 16 also has a focus on important drivers of conflict including access to justice, corruption and bribery, transparency, fundamental freedoms, and participatory decision-making.

Government and International Organizations must put Goal 16 as a prerequisite and to the core of SDGs [Figure 1]. There should be unambiguous indicators to reflect peace is prevailing. Means of implementation need to be focused. 

Figure 1.

The spread of weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the international community. Indiscriminate trade in conventional arms and the use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles raises serious humanitarian and security concerns. Sale of arms and innovating on mass destructive weapons need to be reduced. 

Although primary responsibility for ensuring peace rested at the national level, such responsibility must be accompanied by responsible behavior and international cooperation.

Global processes need to be leveraged to facilitate national-level action. This should include building a global partnership that brings together supporters of peaceful, justice, and inclusive societies, providing context-specific support, and addressing transnational drivers of conflict, such as illicit financial flows and arm flows. All stakeholders need to demonstrate a strong commitment to implementation. Serious efforts toward achieving global peace and justice are not visible.

Goal 16 as a prerequisite and the core of all SDGs. SDGs by 2030 cannot be achieved without global peace. The gap between aspirations and intent must be reduced.

#UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism, 

#UNCCT, 

#VictimsofTerrorism,  

#21August, 

#FindingHope, #BuildingaPeacefulFuture.