UN asks members to help terror victims

Dharam Shourie

United Nations, Sept 10 (PTI) United Nations has asked
its members to take steps to promote and protect the rights of
the victims of terrorism so that they can help create a global
culture against the scourge.

Speaking at the first-ever symposium organised to give
"human face" to the victims of terrorism U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "the idea behind it is
that steps to focus on the victims would help in awakening
awareness among the people about their plight."

Ban also asked the member states to ensure that the
victims just not become mere members.

Stressing that terrorism is a global phenomenon,
capable of striking at any ethnic, religious or national group
he said, "it attacks humanity itself, adding that "it is for
the sake of humanity that we must create a global forum for
your voice and listen to you, the victims."

Some members suggested to create a data base of the
victims on a website to provide publicity to their ordeal
which is the best way to keep the issue in the focus and
ensure that they are not forgotten.

Eighteen victims of terrorist attacks and 10 experts
from across the world participated in the symposium.

However, no victim from Palestine, Pakistan and
Afghanistan, which are witnessing worst atrocities, was
invited.

When asked the criteria and why victims of State
terrorism were not included, Ban replied that there is no
consensus on definition of terrorism and those invited qualify
on the basis existing legal instrument on various aspect of
terrorism.

"They were selected on the basis consultations with
the government and non-government organisations in the area."

The symposium comes within a week of the U.N.
reviewing implementation of the counter terrorism strategy
under which countries have committed to consolidate their
assistance to promote the needs of victims and their families;
to promote international solidarity in their support; and to
protect victims' rights.

Calling for an open dialogue on the issue between
governments, the U.N., civil society and victims Ban said,
"Your stories of how terrorism has affected your lives are our
strongest argument why it can never be justified. By giving a
human face to the painful consequences of terrorism, you help
build a global culture against it."

Appealing the international community to do much more
to support terror victims, he said: "Still too often there are
gaps in addressing the needs of survivors and their families.
Still too often we pay more attention to the voices of
terrorists than those of their victims."

Meanwhile, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim
said, the international community can show its solidarity with
victims by "unequivocally and continuously" condemning all
acts of terrorism, regardless of their motivation.

"We must not leave any doubt that these acts are
criminal and reprehensible," he added.

Betancourt, a terrorism victim who was recently
released from six years in captivity in Colombia, expressed
hope that the symposium would lay the ground for ensuring that
victims of terror are truly heard by the wider world.

"When we talk about victims of terrorism, we are
talking about human suffering," she said. "It is not
statistics. We are not numbers. We are a people who suffer."