STATEMENT FROM SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND HEAD OF UNAMA
August 21, 2024, 15:23
KABUL - Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement today marking the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (21 August) and the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (22 August).
“We mark these dates with a special and solemn remembrance for all Afghans who have lost their lives or loved ones over many decades of conflict, and with hope that this suffering will end through the full enjoyment of their human rights,” said Roza Otunbayeva.
“Through these global commemorations, the United Nations General Assembly is making a clear call for the fostering of dialogue and peacebuilding efforts and identifies the inclusion of victims of terrorism as a critical component of peaceful and open societies,” Otunbayeva said.
“The General Assembly also underscores that it is UN Member States that have the primary duty to promote and protect human rights, including the human rights of persons belonging to religious minorities. It is this message that we continue to convey in Afghanistan, including to the de facto authorities,” Otunbayeva said.
United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/72/165 (2017), established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to raise awareness on the importance of supporting victims of terrorism, to observe a minute of silence for those killed by such violence, to support the survivors of terrorism, and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Through resolution A/RES/73/296 (2019), the General Assembly also designated 22 August as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. This recognizes the importance of supporting victims of violence based on religion or belief, including against persons belonging to religious communities and religious minorities.
UNAMA is mandated by Security Council Resolution 2626 (2022) which was extended under Resolution 2678 (2023) and Resolution 2727 (2024).
This mandate tasks UNAMA with the promotion and support of humanitarian assistance in line with humanitarian principles, human rights, equality for women and girls, inclusive governance, resilience, and economic stability, and using our good offices for principled and constructive engagement with all national, regional and global stakeholders in the pursuit of Afghanistan’s peace and stability.