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Manifesto for the fifth
United Nations International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of
Terrorism |
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21 August 2022 IFAVT (International Federation of
Associations of Victims of Terrorism), founded on September 15, 2011 and
composed of a conglomerate of associations of victims of terrorism from
around the world (see historical members on our web page www.ifavt.org), has as its overall objective to inspire,
encourage, facilitate and promote all actions and campaigns that further the
cause of victims of terrorism.
IFAVT also focuses on preventing and alleviating human suffering, thus
contributing to safeguarding human dignity and fundamental rights. On today's celebration of the fifth United
Nations International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of
Terrorism, we would like to make public some of our fundamental demands, so
that both society and the media do not forget the victims of terrorism. The main point of the
commemoration of this distinguished day in 2022 is Memory, one of the fundamental pillars on
which the victims of terrorism rely. That is why today we want to claim that
making Memory to the victims of terrorism is not only the realization of
tributes and acts of recognition but consists of neutralizing any attempt to
impose a manipulated and false account of the history of terrorism. A false
account of what really happened, or a reinterpretation of history, only
legitimizes terror and the use of violence. The true
history of terrorism must be constructed with the stories of its
victims. To be able to talk about the future, it is essential that children
and young people know the reality of what happened. That is why it is
necessary that the history of terrorism appears in textbooks and that the
victims offer their direct testimony in the classroom. Only in this way,
knowing the memories and emotions of the victims, will we be able to build a
healthy society that does not repeat the mistakes of the past and that is
clear about who are the victims and who are the executioners. For some time now, Europe has been
carrying out an important work of counter radicalization, which is very important to avoid
new terrorist attacks that cause more victims, more broken families and more
pain. But, undoubtedly, the focus of attention must be on the victims of
terrorism. On all of us who can no longer change the past and are forced to
live with this pain for life. A pain that will never disappear. Through these lines we want to
awaken global solidarity and humanity. We ask all citizens to fight
with us against oblivion, so that our experience helps to build a future free
of fear and terror. We also encourage
other associations of victims of terrorism, sharing our values, to join our
federation. The necessity of this Federation
was obvious. We hope that we’ll be able together, to hold high the universal
voice of victims of terrorism and contribute to the elimination of terrorism,
in respect of human rights and international law. As Albert Camus said, «whatever
the cause we defend, it will always be dishonored by the indiscriminate
killing of an innocent crowd." By denouncing terrorism in all its
forms, we build bridges between civilizations. From our common pains, we run
messages of peace and justice, humanity, and respect.
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Based in Paris, France |
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