Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at the specialized roundtable “Children in the Shadow of Terror: An Analysis of Psychological Trauma and Supportive Strategies,” held at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology of Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, Seyyed Mohammad Javad Hasheminejad outlined the human, psychological, and legal dimensions of terrorism’s toll on children.
Terrorism: A Growing Threat to Human Rights and Civilian Life
Hasheminejad stressed that in the past two decades, terrorism has evolved from a traditional security concern into a direct assault on human rights, social stability, and the international order.
“By violating the most basic humanitarian principles, terrorism has caused its greatest damage to civilians—and among them, innocent children remain the most defenseless victims of this organized violence,” he said.
He criticized global counterterrorism approaches that focus predominantly on security and military responses, arguing that such narrow frameworks fail to address the long-term emotional, social, and developmental consequences inflicted on young survivors.
Psychological Scars Passed Down Through Generations
The Habilian Foundation chief warned that the trauma caused by terrorism does not end at the moment of the attack.
“Child survivors face severe psychological wounds—trauma, insecurity, disrupted identity formation, and clear violations of rights guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. These harms endanger human security and undermine sustainable development,”
Hasheminejad noted.
International field studies, he added, demonstrate that the effects of terrorism can even manifest in the physical health of future generations, underscoring the multigenerational nature of such violence.
Global Gaps in Support Mechanisms for Child Victims
Hasheminejad pointed out that the international system lacks effective operational protocols for psychosocial intervention. Even countries with advanced educational infrastructures, he said, are often ill-equipped to assist child victims of terrorism.
“Teachers, counselors, and social workers often lack the specialized tools needed to identify and manage trauma in children impacted by terrorism. This gap highlights the need for greater cooperation between diplomacy, international law, and psychological sciences.”
Iran: One of the World’s Major Victims of Terrorism
Discussing Iran’s own experience, he emphasized that the country has endured some of the most devastating terrorist attacks since the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
More than 23,000 Iranian citizens have been martyred in terrorist operations, he said, with children representing a significant portion of the casualties.
According to documented statistics:
- About 500 children under the age of 12
- Nearly 2,000 children and adolescents under 18
have been martyred or injured in terrorist attacks over the last four decades.
Behind Each Statistic Lies a Human Story
Hasheminejad shared testimonies from survivors—presented with the consent of their families—to illustrate the emotional weight behind the numbers:
- Taha, age 5, who still wakes in fear from traumatic nightmares.
- Amir Ali, age 13, who lost eight family members in a single attack.
- Amir Mehdi and Arash, known as some of Iran’s youngest veterans.
- Ruqiya, Yeganeh, and Artin, children who will never again feel the embrace of a parent.
“Each number represents a shattered life, a deep wound, and a story of pain and resilience,”
he said.
Urgent Need for Comprehensive, Scientific, and Indigenous Solutions
Hasheminejad emphasized that identifying the consequences of terrorism is only the first step.
“The key question now is how to transform psychological knowledge into operational, real-world solutions that can heal the lives of affected children.”
He described the Habilian Foundation as a bridge between field experience and academic expertise, committed to converting the lived experiences of victims’ families into actionable and culturally grounded support programs.
Toward a National Model of Trauma Support
He praised the cooperation between the Habilian Foundation and the Faculty of Psychology at Ferdowsi University as a strategic beginning.
“This partnership must lead to specialized training programs, practical intervention models, and sustained psychological and social support for families. Only through collective effort can we begin to heal the wounds of the generation living in the shadow of terror.”
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