‘An assault on humanity itself’: Guterres pays tribute to 9/11 victims, survivors and first responders
UN Secretary-General António Guterres honored 9/11 victims and survivors, calling the attacks an assault on humanity, while warning of rights abuses in counter-terrorism responses.
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the 2001 terrorist assaults as "an assault on humanity itself," honoring nearly 3,000 victims from over 90 countries. He paid tribute to first responders at Ground Zero in New York, where the twin towers stood near UN Headquarters, and reaffirmed the UN’s solidarity with affected families and communities worldwide.
Guterres also highlighted the adoption of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2006, emphasizing that the fight against terrorism remains an unfinished global task. He urged renewed commitment to building a future free from terrorism while acknowledging the widespread impact of security measures implemented in the attacks’ aftermath.
A group of over 30 UN independent experts condemned disproportionate counter-terrorism responses, citing violations of international law including wars of aggression, unlawful occupations, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. They specifically pointed to abuses such as torture, secret detentions, enforced disappearances, and unfair trials at facilities like Guantanamo Bay, calling for compliance with human rights and humanitarian law.
UN staff recounted the chaos on 11 September 2001, when the organization’s planned Peace Bell ceremony was canceled as smoke from the attacks filled the air. Security guards halted employees from entering UN Headquarters, while staff evacuated amid reports of a potential attack on the UN, reflecting the widespread panic and disruption that followed the tragedy.