Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya at a Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism
I would like to extend our gratitude to the organizers for their efforts in convening the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism. We value your contributions to promote and coordinate international cooperation in this area. As a member of the Group, we reiterate our commitment to providing our support to this crucial endeavor.
The provisions of the resolution adopted by the General Assembly on enhancing international cooperation to assist victims of terrorism (A/73/305), as well as the measures envisaged following the eighth review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, demonstrate the solidarity of Member States with the victims of terrorism.
It is crucial to underscore that the core component of counter-terrorism activities should be the inevitability of punishment for those who perpetrate acts of terrorism. We urge all countries to fulfill their international obligations in accordance with the principle of "extradite or prosecute" and their duty to cooperate in investigating acts of terrorism.
September 3 marks the Day of Solidarity in the Fight against Terrorism in Russia. The victims of terrorist attacks are remembered throughout the country, including law enforcement officers who died while performing counter-terrorism tasks and in the line of duty.
The establishment of this memorable date is connected with the tragic events that took place 20 years ago in September 2004, when one of the most inhumane crimes in the history of not only our country, but the entire world was committed. The terrorist attack at the school in Beslan resulted in 334 deaths, including 186 children.
It is important to remember that terrorism is a crime that has no justification, regardless of when, for what reason and by whom the terrorist attacks were committed. On a daily basis terrorists and their accomplices continue to cynically violate one of the fundamental human rights - the right to life. Any person can become a victim of terrorism, regardless of citizenship, nationality, or religion. Terrorism is a common threat to all countries and peoples. Such crimes do not and cannot have either a statute of limitations or justification. We call on all Member States to cooperate in supporting victims of terrorism and meeting their rehabilitation needs.
It is essential to not only to remember the tragedies of the past, but also to take all possible measures to prevent their recurrence.
