FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 96 - ENGLISH

EDUCATION AND COEXISTENCE 22 tives to amplify violence’s psychological impact far beyond the material damage inflicted. He explained that terrorism seeks to un- dermine societies’ sense of security and generate collective emotions that advan- ce its political objectives. Alonso examined various ways of ma- nipulating public discourse, from eu- phemisms to the dehumanisation or blaming of victims, which allow actions clearly incompatible with democratic principles to be presented as legitimate. He also reflected on the role of certain international actors in spreading the- se narratives and questioned the con- tinuing difficulty in some parts of the media in clearly identifying the terrorist nature of certain violent acts. DEMOCRACY AFTER TERRORISM Former MEP and activist Maite Paga- zaurtundúa focused on the challenges that remain once armed violence has disappeared. Drawing on her personal experience as the sister of Joseba Pagazaurtundúa, murdered by ETA in 2003, she argued that defeating terrorism through poli- cing does not necessarily amount to a complete democratic victory. More subtle forms of social control, com- munity pressure and manipulation of the narrative persist, she noted, continuing to constrain many people’s freedom. Pagazaurtundúa recalled the difficul- ties sometimes encountered in paying public tribute to victims. She expressed concern about attempts to reinterpret recent history through approaches that downplay terrorists’ responsibility. From a European perspective, she re- viewed legislative progress on terrorism and victims’ protection, while stressing the need to improve the effective imple- mentation of some measures, particu- larly those concerning the glorification of violence. Her analysis also extended to the in- ternational scene. She warned of disin- formation campaigns promoted by au- thoritarian regimes to exploit divisions within Western democracies, and de- fended the importance of strengthening critical thinking as a protection against manipulation. Victims’ memory, she stated, “is a tool of democratic resilience of the highest order”. ETA’S SOCIAL LEGACY Sociologist Francisco José Llera , foun- der of the Euskobarómetro, led the re- flection on terrorism’s consequences for Basque society. His address provided a broad overview of the accumulated effects of decades of political violence. Llera recalled terrorism’s enormous hu- man, social and economic impact on the Basque Country and Spain as a whole. Beyond those killed, he highlighted the consequences for thousands of people subjected to threats, extortion or pres- sure that profoundly shaped public life. In his view, ETA’s operational defeat has not completely eliminated certain en- trenched social patterns or some of the mechanisms of silencing that persisted for years. The sociologist expressed concern about the continuing existence of settings whe- re condemnation of terrorism remains inadequate or ambiguous, and warned ` Professor and FVT trustee Francisco José Llera ` Left to right: Belén Sanz, Esther Sáez, Victor Pavón and Alicia Rodríguez SUMMER COURSE IN SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL