On Wednesday, the United Nations joined New York City in commemorating the 2,977 lives lost during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when Al-Qaida hijackers flew four planes into key U.S. locations.
Two planes struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan’s financial district, a third hit the Pentagon near Washington, DC, and the fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers.
Among the dead were 441 first responders, marking the greatest single-day loss of emergency personnel in U.S. history. Thousands more were injured, with many still suffering from chronic health conditions, including respiratory illnesses, mental health disorders, and cancer.
Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences on X, saying, “Today my thoughts are with everyone who lost loved ones on 9/11 and with all the people of New York City.”
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, also paid tribute to the victims, who came from over 90 countries, as well as their families. While acknowledging U.S. efforts to support survivors, he noted that many victims are still waiting for justice. “The unfathomable violence on 9/11 was a crime against humanity, but sadly, 23 years later, the victims remain starved of justice,” Saul remarked.
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Saul pointed to unresolved issues, including prolonged detentions and lack of accountability, urging the U.S. to fully align its counterterrorism policies with international human rights standards. He also called on the U.S. to implement the recommendations of his predecessor, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, who visited the Guantánamo Detention Facility in 2023 and emphasized the need for accountability for violations of international law and both terrorism and counter-terrorism victims.
Special Rapporteurs, appointed by the Human Rights Council, monitor global human rights conditions. They are independent experts, serving in a personal capacity and are not compensated for their work by the UN.
