Statement by the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2025.
“One of the many ways people fall victim to terrorism is through the traumatic experiences of being forced to flee from their homes. Violence, forced recruitment, abduction and enslavement of women and girls, threats and extortion by terrorist groups can compel people to seek safety elsewhere in a country or even across borders.Displacement often occurs in fragile, conflict-affected and low-income States who have limited capacity to prevent it or provide humanitarian assistance and solutions to the victims. Displacement has cascading impacts on human rights. While it may improve physical safety – though this is not always the case – it separates people from their homes, livelihoods, schools, health care, support networks and even family members. Over the past year, I have met with many victims of forced displacement in Somalia , Côte d’Ivoire and Benin and heard about their struggles to rebuild safe and dignified lives. Some had experienced repeated cycles of displacement, including ...