On the occasion of the first national day of remembrance for the victims of terrorism, the Minister of the Interior and the government’s Victims’ Representative called for more sensitive treatment and more intensive care for victims.
Just a few weeks ago, the federal government decided to introduce a national day of remembrance for the victims of terrorist violence. This ties in with the European Day of Remembrance, which the EU introduced after the bombings in Madrid on March 11, 2004.
Terrorism has caused great suffering
“We want all of us in state and society to be more aware of the fate of the victims and their relatives,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in February. Terrorist acts such as the Islamist attack on Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz and the right-wing terrorist attacks in Halle and Hanau caused great suffering in post-war history.
On the occasion of the first day of remembrance, the politician called for the focus to be on the victims instead of the perpetrators after terrorist attacks. “Not the perpetrators, but the victims must remain in our memories – with their names, with their life stories, with their fates,” she emphasized again on Thursday.
More support for victims of terrorism
“For trust in our democracy and the cohesion of our society, it is important that all government agencies take care of the victims of terrorist violence with empathy, sensitivity and the best possible support,” emphasized Faeser. “The Federal Government would like to create greater awareness of this with the commemoration day.”
At the same time, the day is “a reminder to act with all determination against terrorist threats, to ensure the best possible prevention, to prevent radicalization and to counter any hatred of people,” added the Interior Minister. “Our security authorities keep a very close eye on the current threat situation in order to intervene consistently and stop extremists before they commit acts of violence.”
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) also stated that greater attention and consistency in criminal prosecution “even against the preliminary stages of murder, against threats and violent propaganda on the Internet” are high on the agenda. “We counter anger and madness by moving closer together,” he added. “Division through terror – that will not succeed.”
“Terrorist attacks are aimed at all of us”
The federal government’s victim representative, Pascal Kober (FDP), said: “Terrorist attacks are directed against all of us, against our values of plurality and religious freedom, against democracy and the rule of law.” The suffering of the people is by no means a private matter, but a matter for everyone: “The commemoration day should send out the message that this state stands by the victims because they were made victims on behalf of our state.”
The FDP politician calls for mental care to be improved after attacks. The goal of expanding trauma outpatient clinics has been agreed by law, “but it must also be put into practice”. Kober called for more suitable therapeutic offers in order to be able to provide long-term psychological support for victims of terrorism. More offers in the area are needed here.
It is also important that authorities such as pension offices or the police are better trained to deal sensitively with those affected: “After attacks, the factual sobriety of the law affects people who are emotionally highly burdened and traumatized – misunderstandings and injuries can occur very quickly the basis of trust.” Kober is also committed to better case management in terms of financial support for victims and their families.
Swell: AFP, , dpa
Source: Stern
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