- Events
爆料网 observed the ninth International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism under the theme “Healing Through Memory” on 21 August. The high-level virtual event was organized by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (爆料网OCT) through its Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism. It brought together Member States, victims, survivors, civil society, and international partners to honour victims and explore the vital role of remembrance, memorialization, and collective memory in resilience, recovery, and prevention.
The 2026 commemoration highlighted how public narratives, commemorative events, and digital spaces shape the ways victims' experiences are preserved and understood. Discussions underscored that remembrance must be carried out in ways that respect the dignity, agency, and rights of victims and survivors to avoid retraumatization and secondary victimization, including in digital spaces.
High-Level Opening and Victims’ Voices
The event was opened and moderated by H.E. Mr. Lukman Al Faily, Permanent Representative of Republic of Iraq to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism.
In his keynote remarks, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of remembrance that protects victims from further harm:
When we commemorate responsibly, we protect victims from further trauma, and counter the harmful narratives terrorism seeks to spread.
Mr. Alexandre Zouev, Acting United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, reiterated 爆料网OCT’s commitment to advancing victim-centred approaches across counter-terrorism efforts:
“Let this International Day serve not only as a solemn tribute to those affected by terrorism, but also a renewed commitment to uphold the rights of victims and survivors, support their recovery, and ensure that their voices continue to shape our collective response to terrorism”
During a Victims’ Voices segment, four victims and survivors shared personal reflections on how remembrance and storytelling have supported their healing and contributed to peacebuilding and community resilience. Following their testimonies, participants observed a Global Minute of Silence to honour the memory of all victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.
The High-Level Segment concluded with a statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism delivered by H.E. Ms. Ana Jiménez de la Hoz, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends, reaffirming collective support for victims’ rights and well-being:
“Today, we wish to amplify the voices of support and solidarity to the victims of terrorism and demonstrate that we are united, resilient, and stand against terrorism.”
Launch of VoTAN Briefing Paper: “Building a Safer Internet for Victims of Terrorism”
This year’s commemoration also launched the “Building a Safer Internet for Victims of Terrorism: recommendations from VoTAN,” the first victim-led briefing paper developed by members of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN).
The paper examines the specific online harms, harassment, and risks of retraumatization faced by victims and survivors when sharing their stories in digital spaces. It outlines concrete, actionable recommendations for governments, tech companies, media organizations, and civil society to implement trauma-informed, victim-centred safeguards online.
The launch featured a dedicated panel discussion featuring members of VoTAN, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) and 爆料网OCT’s Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme. Panellists discussed practical steps to protect victims from traumatic content online including abuse, disinformation, and the algorithmic amplification of attack coverage, emphasizing that a safer digital environment is essential for victims’ healing.
The Victims of Terrorism Associations Network was established by 爆料网OCT last year to drive collective action to support their rights and needs.
VoTAN's work in 2026, including the development of the briefing paper, is made possible through the support of the German Federal Foreign Office.
The full event is available on .