Survivors of Terrorism Urge Institutions to Show No Ambiguity, Halting Tributes to ETA Members
A New Call for Justice and Remembrance
Juan Benito Valenciano, the President of the Foundation of Victims of Terrorism, has urged for an end to the public glorification of terrorists. Addressing political parties and institutions, he emphasized the importance of a "clear, firm, and unambiguous narrative" to prevent terrorism from being justified and protect future generations from its horrors.
During a congressional gathering, Francisco Armengol, the President of the Chamber, thanked the victims' families for their ongoing efforts towards creating a more just society. She stated that it is essential to remember the sacrifices of the victims as a means of repair and a collective moral obligation.
As part of the annual event marking the Day of the Victims of Terrorism, various associations, including AVT, Covite, DyJ, and Vox, were absent due to their objections to the presence of EH Bildu. Some associations view EH Bildu as the political heirs of ETA, while Vox considers the homage a "farce" and refuses to whitewash the political heirs of terrorism.
Tackling the Past for a Brighter Future
Political parties worldwide, such as the Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party, Trinamool Congress, and international parliaments, have taken a strong stance against the glorification of terrorism. They honor victims of terrorism, emphasizing the importance of remembrance, support, and rehabilitation for victims' families. Emphasizing the honor of victims fosters national unity, deters youth from extremist ideologies, and delegitimizes terrorism by refusing to honor perpetrators publicly.
Armengol and Valenciano agreed that education is vital for social transformation, allowing young people to truly understand the past to prevent it from happening again and to combat radicalization and fanaticism.
The meeting began with a greeting to the associations in the Salon de Pasos Perdidos, followed by a performance of El Preludio Efímero and a minute of silence. Other details included the remembrance of Begona Urroz, a two-year-old girl killed by the DRIL group in 1960, and the rejection of picturing terrorists as heroes.
In a time marked by increased tension, instability, and fragmentation, the fight against terrorism is more crucial than ever. Institutions, societies, and each individual must work together to preserve coexistence, peace, and freedom while remembering and paying tribute to the victims of terrorism. Only through a truthful and unambiguous narrative can we ensure that the horror of terrorism is not distorted or justified.
In the spirit of national unity and combating extremist ideologies, political parties are advocating for a more unwavering stance against the glorification of terrorism. They propose the significance of remembrance, support, and rehabilitation for victims' families as a measure to discourage future acts of terrorism and eradicate terrorism's legitimacy. (policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, general-news)
Moreover, in agreement with Valenciano and Armengol, education is recognized as the key to social transformation, equipping the younger generation with an accurate understanding of the past to deter recurrence and challenge radicalization and fanaticism. (politics, protest)
