Launch of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network, known as VoTAN, by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The network is a key outcome from the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
VoTAN UN’s Support Network For Victims Of Terrorism
Why In News
- Launch of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network, known as VoTAN, by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The network is a key outcome from the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
History
- The event will bring together victims of terrorism, victims’ associations, and civil society organizations to mark the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network alongside key stakeholders including Member States and representatives from across the United Nations.
- The foundation for VoTAN was laid during the first UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022. The initiative emerged as one of the primary outcomes of this historic gathering, which brought together victims, policymakers, civil society, and experts to address the needs of those affected by terrorism.
- VoTAN was developed under the initiative of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, which has been co-chaired by Spain and Iraq for nearly six years. This group has long emphasized the need to uphold and protect the rights of victims at a global level, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences respected.
VoTAN
- VoTAN is a global community that unites victims of terrorism and victims’ associations from all backgrounds, recognizes the diversity of victims and the issues that are important to them, drives collective action in favor of victims’ rights, and demonstrates the significant expertise and resilience of its members as advocates, educators, and peacebuilders.
- VoTAN aims to strengthen victim-centric policy and programming on counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism, unite a strong, diverse coalition of stakeholders committed to enhancing support to victims and survivors of terrorism, and allow for peer-to-peer support and mentorship between individuals, organizations and communities impacted by terrorism
- VoTAN will provide a forum for victims and victims’ associations to have more consistent access to high-level decision-makers for advocacy purposes and deepen victims’ engagement in UN policy and programming on issues relating to victims of terrorism.
- To explore how the network could work effectively for victims, UNOCT undertook a year of consultations with victims of terrorism and victims’ associations around the globe to reflect their priorities and needs.
- VoTAN is a key outcome from the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism
- The development of the network was supported by a financial contribution from the Kingdom of Spain.
