International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

  The General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/72/165, proclaimed 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism . The resolution “invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, as well as other international organizations and civil society entities, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day in an appropriate manner.” Its main focus is to honour, remember and pay tribute to the victims of terrorism, stand in solidarity with them and promote and protect their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Victims and survivors of terrorism continue to remind us that remembrance is not only about looking back. It is also about healing, dignity, recognition, education, and prevention. As the ninth commemoration of the International Day approaches, the ways in which societies choose to remember victims and mark anniversaries of terrorist attacks matter. Public narratives, me...

  Problem Statement  Digital platforms can contribute to further trauma to victims and survivors of terrorism through the misuse or manipulation of images of victims, algorithmic amplification and feedback loops and the persistent circulation of graphic imagery. From deepfakes used to discredit victims to the unauthorized memorialization of private profiles, the digital environment can exacerbate psychological distress long after the physical event. Creating a safer internet for victims of terrorism requires efforts beyond the moderation or removal of “illegal”, “terrorist” or “violent extremist” content. It calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing online harms that is firmly grounded in international human rights norms and standards, protects the rights and dignity of victims of terrorism and at the same time safeguards freedom of expression.  Beyond Content Removal  As discussed in the Gap Analysis of Digital Tools to Support Victims of Terrorism , technica...

  Problem Statement  Digital connectivity can be a double-edged sword for victims of terrorism. While integrated digital victim registries and referral systems are essential for providing joined-up services, they carry risks. A data breach is rarely just a technical failure; it can result in serious and, in some cases, irreversible harm through the unauthorized disclosure of personal or sensitive information. Such harm may include re-traumatization, exposure to physical or security risks. In the absence of widely agreed standards for data handling, robust audit mechanisms, and clear accountability frameworks, trust in digital systems is difficult to establish, and well-intentioned technological solutions may inadvertently cause more harm than benefit. Toward secure victim registries As discussed in the Gap Analysis of Digital Tools to Support Victims of Terrorism , an international discussion is emerging on greater information connectivity and integrated digital services, for ...

  Problem Statement   Digital tools are often designed for ideal conditions - high bandwidth, stable power, and high-spec hardware. For victims of terrorism in the Global South and rural areas, as well as many crisis scenarios where internet and power may shut down temporarily, these assumptions do not reflect reality. When connectivity is intermittent and energy is scarce, a text-heavy, high-data app isn't just inefficient; it is inaccessible. To bridge the digital divide, we must treat low bandwidth not as a bug to be fixed, but as a core design feature. Failure to account for these structural realities heightens the risk that the most vulnerable populations remain the least served.  Local Realities and Technical Resilience  As discussed in the Gap Analysis of Digital Tools to Support Victims of Terrorism , effective tools must be grounded in local realities. This requires a shift toward "low-tech" channels like SMS, USSD, and voice hotlines that function on basic ...

  Problem Statement  The broad reach and impact of any tool designed to support victims of terrorism depends on its multicultural fluency in grief and trauma as well as its availability in multiple languages. The under-representation of minority languages and communities in the Global South in the digital corpus used to train Large Language Models (LLMs) has knock-on effects on AI-enabled tools’ ability to serve these populations safely and effectively. This is a problem larger than translation alone, and points towards structural limitations in ways in which these tools capture cultural context, social norms and other sensitive cues. Addressing these gaps requires investment in the development and training of AI-enabled models that are better equipped to engage in with linguistic diversity and cultural nuance, particularly in contexts involving trauma, vulnerability and the specific needs of victims of terrorism from around the world.  The State of Multicultural AI-enabl...

 Problem Statement  Many tools for communities in crisis are built for survivors rather than with them. This misses an opportunity to benefit from the lived experiences and expertise of victims of terrorism to cocreate tools that are safe, used, and useful. Finding ways to co-design tools with the individuals and communities most affected by terrorism safely, respectfully, and effectively is essential to improving digital support services offered by governments, service providers, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.  Toward Community-Led Design  As discussed in the Gap Analysis of Digital Tools to Support Victims of Terrorism , both the humanitarian and the tech sectors are increasingly recognizing the need to move beyond simple "user testing" and toward Community-Led Design. This shift recognizes that participation is a prerequisite for success and a potential pathway to healing for beneficiaries. There is a spectrum of possible engagement, from user-center...