VoTAN: A Global Support Network for Victims of Terrorism

In a significant move toward inclusive counter-terrorism efforts, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) officially launched the Victims of Terrorism Advocacy Network (VoTAN) on April 28, 2025. This landmark initiative is aimed at creating a global, supportive, and empowering platform for individuals and communities affected by acts of terrorism.

Background of VoTAN

Origins and Development

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.

The Role of the Group of Friends of Victims of 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.

Financial Support and Global Solidarity

The Kingdom of Spain played a crucial role in the creation and financial backing of VoTAN. During the launch, emphasis was laid on the need for increased financial support and broader solidarity with victims of terrorism, whose psychological and physical needs often go underfunded or neglected.

Purpose and Vision of VoTAN

A Safe Platform for Connection and Healing

VoTAN is envisioned as a global network that connects victims, survivors, advocacy groups, and civil society organisations. It aims to provide a safe haven for victims to interact, share their experiences, and find support from others who have undergone similar trauma.

Key Goals of VoTAN

• Create Safe Spaces: VoTAN aims to establish safe and inclusive environments where victims can connect, share stories, and heal together.
• Build Resilience: One of the primary objectives is to enhance the capacity of both individuals and organisations to cope with and recover from the long-term impacts of terrorism.
• Empower Advocacy: VoTAN promotes victim-led advocacy, empowering survivors to speak up for their rights, contribute to legal reforms, and shape public narratives.
• Promote Education and Awareness: Through workshops and awareness campaigns, victims are encouraged to educate communities about the personal and collective consequences of terrorism.
• Foster Peacebuilding: By sharing their stories and participating in global discourse, victims can become peacebuilders, helping bridge divides and promote tolerance, understanding, and reconciliation.
• Importance of VoTAN in Today’s World

In the face of rising global extremism and the increasing complexity of terrorist threats, VoTAN represents a paradigm shift in how the international community engages with terrorism’s aftermath. Rather than treating victims as passive recipients of aid, VoTAN positions them as active agents of change, peace, and advocacy.

VoTAN’s Launch and Voices from the Ground

During the launch ceremony on April 28, 2025, several victims and representatives from victims’ associations shared their stories, shedding light on the emotional scars left by terrorism. Their testimony underlined the urgent need for structured global platforms like VoTAN to support healing and amplify victims’ voices in peace processes.