Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has stressed the need to recognize, honor and protect the victims of terrorism. "No democracy can be worthy of such a name if it does not recognize, honor and protect those who have been unjustly attacked, persecuted or threatened. And it must also do so without falling into false neutralities, equidistance or ambiguities," said the minister during the Commemorative act of the European Day of Victims of Terrorism that has been celebrated at the headquarters of the Royal Academy of Language (RAE).
The president of the Senate, Pilar Llop, also attended the event, among other authorities; the Minister of Justice, Juan Carlos Campo; the Minister of Education, Isabel Celaá; the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida; the Under Secretary of the Interior, Isabel Goicoechea; the Director General of Support for Victims of Terrorism, Montserrat Torija; the president of the SAR, Santiago Muñoz Machado; and representatives of associations of victims of terrorism.
"A society without memory is a society without direction. Lacking reality. Lacking words and stories. Lacking, in short, really. Because a society without a past is at the same time a society without a future, a society that does not look towards neither will he be able to look forward, "added the Interior Minister.
Grande-Marlaska has shown its solidarity, support and affection to relatives and victims of terrorism and stressed that from its Ministry, through the General Directorate of Support for Victims of Terrorism, there is a "continuous, fluid and fruitful" communication with the associations so that relatives and victims have recognition by society.
Ministry of InteriorIn this regard, the minister has shown the support and impulse of his department to create an international legal status for victims of terrorism.
During the event, which was conducted by the journalist and manager of the RTVE Orchestra and Choir, Manuel Ventero, the imposition of decorations on victims of terrorism was carried out. Specifically, seven Great Crosses and 35 Parcels have been delivered.
The European Day of the Victims of Terrorism was set on March 11 in memory and tribute of the Madrid attacks of March 11, 2004, of which 16 years are now celebrated, and which cost the lives of 192 people and in the that 1,800 were injured.
The central events will take place this year in Paris, where Wednesday the Interior Minister and his S.M. the King to participate in them.
