Japanese NPO working on terrorism and conflict resolution expresses opinions on “International Day of Remembrance and Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism”
*Specified non-profit organization Accept International*
Press release: August 21, 2024
Japanese NPO working on terrorism and conflict resolution expresses opinions on “International Day of Remembrance and Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism”
*The importance of paying attention to so-called terrorist youth* *
On the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance and
Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, Accept International, a non-profit organization working to resolve terrorism and conflicts around the world, is listening to the voices of victims and survivors of terrorism around the world, and offering support and support to them. We emphasize the importance of sharing the suffering of the people of the world. This day renews our awareness of the threat of terrorism and its victims, and reaffirms the need for the
international community to come together to build a peaceful future. *
Terrorism is one of the most serious challenges of our time, and a major factor threatening international peace and security. Terrorist attacks have struck indiscriminately and claimed many lives around the world. It is our responsibility to not forget the voices of those affected.
On this International Day, the nonprofit organization Accept International would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the victims of terrorist attacks.
Furthermore, there are people all over the world who are still under the influence of terrorism, and military retaliation against terrorism and the resulting sacrifices of civilians have created a chain of hatred in which “if you do it, you will get it back.” I once again express my deep concern.
* Amplifying the voices of terrorist victims and survivors for a better future *
A woman who was forced to join the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) at the age of 13 and engaged in nursing and combat. Generally speaking, when we hear the term “victims of terrorism,” we think of people whose lives were taken away by terrorism. However, Accept International emphasizes that there are also people who have become “terrorists” due to the influence of so-called terrorist organizations and armed conflicts.
Although people who have become so-called terrorists are
“perpetrators,” we must also be acutely aware that they were also “victims” in the process that led them to that point. .
They are forced into situations where they are forced to take up arms due to economic hardship, kidnapping, intimidation, brainwashing, etc., or they are caught up in a chain of hatred that breeds hatred. This “chain of hatred” was created as a result of innocent civilians losing their lives in actual terrorist attacks and in the “war on terror” based on a military approach.
In order to create a cycle of peace, it is necessary to create a space where they can break away from the chain of hatred and to increase the number of peacemakers, including those involved in terrorism and conflict.
Our thoughts are not only for the victims whose lives were taken away by terrorist attacks, their families, and those whose lives have been changed, but also for those who have become “terrorists” due to the effects of terrorism and conflict. We are required to provide appropriate support for all of these efforts.
*Strengthening efforts towards peacebuilding*
Accept International provides comprehensive support to parties involved in terrorism and conflicts, mainly in conflict areas such as Somalia and Yemen, through counseling, basic education, vocational training, religious re-education, etc., in addition to providing support to escape from so-called terrorist organizations. We provide support for reintegration into society.
In addition, for local communities, we provide emergency humanitarian assistance to communities affected by terrorism and conflict, along with those who were originally identified as perpetrators.
In addition, as part of our efforts toward a more global society, we are working to create the international norms necessary for these people to break away from violence such as terrorism and become agents of peace.
Training for former armed group fighters in Yemen
In this way, we aim to resolve terrorism and conflicts by
strengthening support for young people, including those who have become so-called terrorists, and by working to reform the
international framework.
On this International Day, Accept International remembers and commemorates the victims and survivors of terrorism, and recommits itself to moving forward with much-needed initiatives at home and abroad.
*About Accept International*
Since our founding in 2011, with the aim of breaking the negative chain of hatred both domestically and internationally, we have carried out initiatives in areas, fields, and target groups that have been abandoned despite their extremely high needs. Ta. Overseas, we support young people who have been complicit in terrorism and conflicts to become agents of peace, and we work to create international norms for parties to conflicts around the world to break away from violence. In addition, we provide counseling support to foreign residents in Japan, mainly Muslims, who tend to be left behind in Japan, and we provide comprehensive support to boys and girls who have been involved in particularly serious crimes.
*Organization overview*
Name: NGO Accept International
Address: 3rd floor, Nihonbashi Yoshiizumi Building, 1-11-5 Nihonbashi Horidome-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Established: April 2017 (predecessor organization, Japan-Somali Youth Organization was established in September 2011)
Representative Director: Yosuke Nagai
Main countries of operation: Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia, Japan Official website: https://accept-int.org/
Representative email address: info@accept-int.org
Main phone number: 03-4500-8161