On August 21st 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Nigeria, and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), hosted an event at UN House, Abuja, to commemorate the 7th International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
In the past decade, Nigeria has suffered grievously from terrorism. An estimated 30,000 lives have been lost to the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and its progeny, and as many as 2.4 million people have been displaced from their homes.
While the situation in Nigeria has greatly improved since the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, even today Nigeria still ranks eighth in the world amongst the countries most afflicted by terrorism – with Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole currently the region most affected globally.
The theme for this year’s International Day, "Voices for Peace: Victims of Terrorism as Peace Advocates and Educators", serves as a reminder of the life-long experiences and trauma of victims of terrorism, and how we can share their stories as powerful messages of peace.
For victims and survivors, the devastation of terrorism often means they are forcefully deprived of their basic human rights – the right to life, health, or family. It may also mean being prevented from fully realizing other rights like the right to free speech, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of association. For many victims, it can also mean being deprived of agency and identity.
Hearing the stories of victims helps to recognize their trauma and collectively demonstrates the power of human connections as a means to push back against terrorists themselves.
The commemorative event at UN House provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims and survivors of terrorism, especially those affected in Nigeria, and featured a diverse panel of speakers, including the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Fall, the National Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, Major General Laka, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Anthony Ojukwu, and representatives from UNODC and UNOCT.
The UN Resident Coordinator, relaying the message of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, paid tribute to the resilience and power of victims of terrorism: “Reflecting on personal trauma to educate others is an act of immense courage. This day urges us to listen and to learn. And it is a reminder that we must always seek out the light of hope.”
This was echoed by Major General Laka, who stated: "In the face of this adversity, the strength and resilience of those affected by terrorism stand as a testament to the human spirit. Despite the loss and trauma, survivors continue to show remarkable courage. As we mark the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, it is our collective responsibility to support and uplift them. We therefore must ensure that their voices are heard, their needs are met, and their rights are safeguarded."
Tom Parker, UNODC Counter-Terrorism Project Coordinator in Abuja, also emphasized the power of common humanity, noting: ‘It is society’s responsibility to help the victims of terrorism to reclaim the humanity that terrorists seek to strip them of. We know from long experience that helping victims recover their sense of self and self-worth is a fundamental step in the healing process. Hearing their stories, sharing their pain, helps victims to reclaim their space in the community.”
For the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria, the International Day for the Victims of Terrorism is significant as we remember the terrorist bombing of the UN House in Abuja on 26 August 2011. We especially honor the sacrifice of our dear UNODC colleague, Ingrid Midtgaard, who was among the 23 people killed in the attack, and all other colleagues from across the United Nations family who were killed or injured in the attack.
In partnership with the Government of Nigeria, UNODC has been working to strengthen the criminal justice response to terrorism and promote greater accountability for the perpetration of acts of terrorism in Nigeria, including to support and protect the rights and needs of victims of terrorism.
Under this framework, UNODC, in collaboration with UNOCT/United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), has developed Model Legislative Provisions to assist Member States adopt a victim-centric approach in addressing the rights and needs of victims. The Model Legislative Provisions are intended to serve as a guide for the review of existing national laws and procedures related to victims of terrorism, including the development of national legislation where applicable, as well as promoting the exchange of best practices among Member States.
The Model Legislative Provisions can be accessed here.
The UNOCT Memories Campaign shares the memories of victims of terrorism. It can be accessed here.