International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 72/165, established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism in 2017. in order to honor and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms .

FORUM: International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2020. “Not Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism”.

The United Nations has been working to provide resources, mobilize the international community and better address the needs of victims of terrorism. The United Nations has an important role in supporting Member States to implement Pillar I and IV of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy through standing in solidarity and providing support to victims, capacity building assistance, establishing networks of, and offering support to, civil society organizations, particularly victims of terrorism associations, and encouraging Member States to promote, protect and respect the rights of victims.

An online high-level event entitled “Not Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism”, will be held with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, for victims to speak about remembrance on their own terms, reminding the audience that it is not only about bereavement, but also about acknowledging the experience of survivors. The event provides an opportunity for victims to share their stories and to urge the international community to strengthen their rights and address their needs, even during global health emergencies. It seeks to build on and consolidate these efforts, and translate them into practical and sustainable actions at the national level, shaping the way forward on national and cross-border commemoration efforts, and on developing comprehensive national assistance plans that address the need of victims of terrorism for communal support, remembrance, and even redress.


A short film on remembrance will be launched, with testimonies of victims and survivors of terrorism demonstrating their individual journey and experience, especially since the onset of the pandemic. This will be followed by an interactive discussion with a panel of victims, victims’ associations, and experts on how the pandemic has affected the ability to honour and commemorate victims and survivors of terrorism.

This event is organized in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism.


Statement by the United Nations Secretary General on International Day of Remembrance of and tribute to the victims for 2020. August 19.

Today, we remember and honour all victims of terrorism. We stand by those who grieve and those who continue to endure the physical and psychological wounds of terrorist atrocities.

The impact of terrorism on victims can last a lifetime and reverberate across generations. Traumatic memories cannot be erased, but we can help victims and survivors by seeking truth, justice and reparation, amplifying their voices and upholding their human rights.

This third International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism takes place while the world is in turmoil. The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we live and interact with each other.

Vital services for victims, such as criminal justice processes and psychosocial support, have been interrupted, delayed or ended while governments focus attention and resources on fighting the pandemic.

Many memorials and commemorations have been cancelled or moved online, hampering the ability of victims to find solace and comfort together. And, due to current restrictions, the first-ever United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism has been postponed until next year.

Remembering the victims of terrorism and doing more to support them is essential to help them rebuild their lives and heal. This includes our efforts to work with parliamentarians and governments to draft and adopt legislation and national strategies to help victims.

We must continue to support victims’ associations in their invaluable work. We must ensure that those who have suffered are always heard and never forgotten. The United Nations stands in solidarity with all victims of terrorism -- today and every day.

António Guterres

Previous commemorations

Please visit the United Nations Victims of Terrorism support portal for the previous commemorations of the International Day of Remembrance

First commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2018.

Second commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2019.


International Legal Instruments, Documents

  1. A summary of the 19 universal legal instruments and additional amendments dealing with terrorism.

  2. UNOCT and UNCCT publications related to counter-terrorism.

  3. UN Security Council, General Assembly and other relevent Documents related to counter-terrorism.

Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism

The Plan is an appeal for concerted action by the international community. It provides more than 70 recommendations to Member States and the United Nations System.

UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Adopted by the Assembly in September 2006, the Strategy is based on four pillars: tackling the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism; preventing and combating terrorism; building States’ capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and to strengthen the role of the UN system in that regard; ensuring respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis for the fight against terrorism.



Watch the third commemoration of the International Day of Victims of Terrorism: “Not Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims of Terrorism”, with survivors speaking about remembrance on their own terms and sharing their individual journey and experience, especially since the onset of the pandemic.