Every nationality in world falling victim to terrorist attacks: UN

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said terrorism is one of the most challenging issues of time and a serious threat to international peace and security.

"No country can consider itself immune, with almost every nationality in the world falling victim to terrorist attacks," he said.

The UN chief made the remark in a message marking on the first International Day of Remembrance of, and Tribute to, the Victims of Terrorism, to be observed on August 21.

From Tajikistan to the United Kingdom, from Baghdad to Barcelona, these ruthless attacks have shaken us all to the core, he observed.

Guterres said the day reminds them to stop and listen to the victims and survivors of terrorism, to raise up their voices and recognize the impact terrorism has on their lives.

"We can all learn from their experiences. Communities around the world are demonstrating their resilience in response to terrorist attacks. They are countering terrorism and violent extremism in their everyday lives, in their schools, markets and places of worship," he said.

Guterres said supporting victims and their families is a moral imperative, based on promoting, protecting and respecting their human rights. Caring for victims and survivors and amplifying their voices helps to challenge the narrative of hatred and division that terrorism aims to spread.

"We need to provide victims with long-term assistance, including financial, legal, medical and psychosocial support," he added.

The UN chief said, "When we lift up the victims and survivors of terrorism, listen to their voices, respect their rights and provide them with support and justice, we are honouring our common bonds and reducing the lasting damage done by terrorists to individuals, families and communities."

He thanked those who are willing to speak out against terrorism every day. "Your voices matter, and your courage in the face of adversity is a lesson to us all. The United Nations stands in solidarity with you."

Guterres said the United Nations itself is regularly targeted and twenty-two people lost their lives in the attack on the headquarters of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), which took place 15 years ago this week. "Some of our peacekeeping missions are under constant threat."

He said after terrorist attacks, they rarely hear about those who were killed and injured - the ordinary women, men, girls and boys who were going about their daily business when their lives ended or were changed forever.

"We rarely hear about their surviving families, friends and communities, who must learn to live with the burden of terrorism for their entire lives."