New initiative launched to shield terrorism victims from online harm

A new international initiative aimed at protecting terrorism victims from online harm was launched on Friday during the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism. The event took place at the United Nations headquarters, with survivors and advocates sharing personal accounts of loss and resilience. The initiative, led by the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network, a network established by the UN Counter-Terrorism Office last year, aims to empower victims and ensure their narratives are preserved accurately in the digital space. The initiative follows reports that terrorism-related violence kills and injures thousands globally each year, with online misinformation posing a growing threat to survivors. Saynab Warsame, a Somali woman who survived a terrorist attack, emphasized the fragility of memory in the digital age. She warned that fake videos and manipulated content could distort the truth, erasing the real experiences of those affected. “In today's digital world, memories are fragile,” she said. “With fake videos and information, the truth can easily be lost or changed.” Her remarks underscored the urgency of the initiative, which seeks to safeguard the integrity of victims' stories. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, a U.S.-Israeli citizen whose son, Hersh, was kidnapped during the 2023 Hamas attack at the Nova Music Festival in Israel, spoke of the shared grief of countless families worldwide. “Tragically, I am not unique,” she said. “There are millions of parents around the world who have had to bury their children.” She referenced historical conversations between Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud, highlighting the enduring tension between humanity’s capacity for love and destruction. “Civilisation has to decide whether to rise to the challenge to continually contain our natural tendencies towards war or to give into that slavery of selfish interest even though…it only serves the powerful few,” she said. Her words called for collective responsibility and ethical leadership in addressing global security challenges. The initiative also drew inspiration from the 2010 FIFA World Cup tragedy in Uganda, where two suicide bombers killed over 70 people during a match. Hassan Ndugwa, one of the survivors, described the event as a turning point in his life. Angered by the misrepresentation of Islam following the attacks, he co-founded the Uganda Muslim Youth Development Forum, which has since helped thousands of young people through job training and community programs. “The most fulfilling work that we have done since then is the work to provide alternatives to youth,” he said. “They are seeing a bright future. They now have renewed hope. So, it’s difficult for you to come and tell them to join an extremist group because they are…seeing a brighter future.” Ndugwa stressed the importance of survivor voices and the role of remembrance in fostering healing. “Healing through memory” was the central theme of this year’s commemorations, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He urged members of the public to avoid exploiting victims’ stories or using them to incite further hatred. “Instead of letting terror divide us, we can and must stay united,” he said. His comments aligned with the broader goals of the new initiative, which aims to create safer spaces for victims both offline and online. As the initiative launches, its success will depend on collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, and technology companies to combat harmful content. Survivors like Warsame, Goldberg-Polin, and Ndugwa continue to serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of terrorism and the need for solidarity in the face of such threats. Their voices, alongside the UN’s efforts, represent a critical step toward ensuring that the legacy of terrorism victims is honored, protected, and preserved.