“It is a moral duty that democracy always remembers the victims of terrorism. They have given their lives - in my country Spain and all over the EU - on behalf of democratic values and the rule of law. It is therefore necessary that the same rule of law is able to deliver justice to those who fall on its behalf”, said EPP Group Vice-Chairman responsible for Legal and Home Affairs, Esteban González Pons MEP,during a public hearing today on 'Victims of Terrorism' organised by the EPP Group.

"The goals of any kind of terrorism are always the same: to spread terror and hatred, including the dehumanisation of the victims to try to legitimise their attacks. Therefore, the fight against terrorism must always include the victims. It is crucial to face their pain, which is also the pain of all European society”, he added.

González Pons continued: “It is essential to build a counter narrative that shows the barbarity of the terrorists' arguments. This counter narrative should be used to build a collective memory: a memory with which we can educate the entire population to help them understand that if we yield to terrorism, we will lose our freedom and life.”

Victims who have suffered different kinds of terrorism such as acts by the ETA in Spain or the 9/11 attacks in US, participated at today's hearing.