International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

Ref: PRS 2026/08/1064

August 21, 2026

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

Healing Through Memory, Supporting Victims Is a Human and Moral Duty

“Terrorism is fundamentally the denial and destruction of human rights, and the war against terrorism will never succeed by perpetuating that same denial and destruction.” — António Guterres, United Nations Secretary‑General

The United Nations General Assembly designated 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, to honour victims, support survivors, and promote the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Although terrorism affects many countries, its victims remain heavily concentrated in a small number of states and regions. UN data shows that victims often feel forgotten once the immediate shock of attacks fades, leaving long‑lasting and intergenerational consequences.

In 2026, the UN’s theme — “Healing Through Memory” — highlights the importance of preserving victims’ stories and experiences as part of their healing, dignity, and recognition. It underscores the need for remembrance efforts that are victim‑centered, trauma‑informed, and respectful, including in digital spaces.

Global Terrorism Trends

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, the world recorded a significant decline in terrorism during 2025. Deaths fell by 28% to 5,582, and attacks decreased by 22%. Despite this improvement, terrorism remains highly concentrated, with 70% of deaths occurring in just five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Sahel region continues to be the global epicentre of terrorism, accounting for more than half of all terrorism‑related deaths. Burkina Faso recorded a 45% drop in fatalities, yet attacks became more lethal, driven by groups such as ISIS, JNIM, and al‑Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Pakistan experienced its worst year since 2013, with 1,139 deaths, driven by escalating activity from Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Rising tensions with Afghanistan culminated in open conflict in February 2026.

In Nigeria, terrorism deaths rose by 46% to 750, with ISWAP and Boko Haram responsible for 80% of fatalities.

The DRC reached its worst‑ever position on the Index, with deaths rising by 28% due to attacks by the ISIS‑affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) targeting civilians, churches, and hospitals.

Meanwhile, terrorism in Western countries surged by 280%, driven by politically motivated and extremist attacks, alongside a sharp rise in youth radicalization, with minors accounting for 42% of terrorism‑related investigations in Europe and North America.

Libya

Despite global declines, Libya continues to face a fragile security landscape marked by armed groups, militias, and human‑trafficking networks operating amid institutional weakness and political fragmentation.

Kidnapping as a Primary Source of Militia Financing

Kidnapping remains widespread in Libya for both political and financial purposes:

• Eastern militias have used abduction to silence dissent, as seen in the 2019 kidnapping of MP Siham Sergiwa, with no accountability to date.
• Tripoli‑based militias, including the Deterrence Apparatus and Stability Support Apparatus, engage in arbitrary detention and kidnapping to assert control and extort institutions and individuals.
• The 55th Infantry Battalion, led by Muammar al‑Dhawy, carries out kidnappings, torture, property seizures, and human trafficking in the Wershifana area.
• Human‑trafficking gangs abduct migrants and refugees for ransom, with documented cases of torture used to pressure families to pay. Some detention centres under the Anti‑Illegal Migration Agency have also been implicated in such abuses.

These practices make kidnapping one of the largest funding sources for armed groups in Libya, perpetuating instability and insecurity.

Impact of Conflict and Political Division

The situation in Libya has worsened due to persistent political division and the absence of a central authority capable of enforcing the rule of law. This has created fertile ground for armed groups that exploit poverty, unemployment, lack of basic services, absence of justice, and weak security and judicial institutions. The United Nations affirms that these factors are directly linked to political and social instability, making Libya vulnerable to the spread of terrorism and armed criminal networks.

Supporting Victims, a Human and Moral Responsibility

Victims of terrorism in Libya, as elsewhere, face significant challenges: limited access to justice, lack of psychological and social support, neglect of long‑term needs, and trauma that can persist across generations. The United Nations stresses that victim support must be multi‑dimensional, including psychological, social, and financial assistance, reintegration into society, and platforms to amplify victims’ voices. It also calls for comprehensive national plans to support victims — something Libya urgently needs under current conditions.

Human Rights Solidarity (LHRS) reaffirms its full solidarity with all victims of terrorism in Libya and worldwide, and its support for survivors and their families. LHRS reiterates its call to end political division and conflict, rebuild state institutions, and restore stability. It emphasises that respect for human rights is the foundation of any effective counter‑terrorism strategy, and that combating hate speech and promoting coexistence are essential.

LHRS also calls for the adoption of charters and agreements that prohibit religious defamation, and for strengthening the role of memory and documentation in supporting victims and enabling justice — ensuring that violations are not repeated and that communities can heal.

Human Rights Solidarity Organization

Tripoli, Libya
August 21, 2026

References:

1. United Nations: “International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism”, 21 August.
2. UN General Assembly Resolution 72/165 (2017) establishing the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
3. UN News: “Secretary‑General: Supporting victims of terrorism is a moral duty that counters the hatred spread by terrorists”, 21 August 2018.
4. Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP): “Global Terrorism Index 2026”, 30 March 2026.
5. UNODC Briefing: “Ghada Waly on illicit trafficking and its impact on African stability”, 6 October 2022.
6. UN News: “United Nations reaffirms support to Africa in combating terrorism”, 28 March 2023.
7. UN Office of Counter‑Terrorism: “Healing Through Memory, International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2026”.
8. Global Terrorism Index 2026, Executive Summary, Institute for Economics & Peace.
9. Reports and testimonies by Libyan and international human‑rights organizations on armed groups and human‑trafficking networks in Libya.
10. Human‑rights documentation on migrants and asylum seekers in Libya, 2024–2026.