FUNDACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DEL TERRORISMO 96 - ENGLISH

71 TESTIMONY “After the fear of dying comes the fear of living” The most rewarding part comes af- terwards, when we can exchange thou- ghts. HAS THE PERCEPTION OF TERRORISM CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? I think there is a tendency in society to forget. Terrorism was part of our lives for many years and, as time passes, it can seem very distant. I worry that, over the years, an image of ETA may emerge that is far removed from what those of us who suffered its violence experienced. I saw colleagues murdered and directly suffered the con- sequences of those attacks. We did not decide to become victims; the terrorists decided to make us victims. That is why I believe it is important to preserve the memory of what happened and prevent it from being distorted over time. WHAT DO TRIBUTES AND COMMEMORATIONS OF VICTIMS MEAN TO YOU? They are enormously important to me. I always try to defend my colleagues’ me- mory and that of all victims of terrorism. I want their dignity and memory to be recognised. I also consider it essential for justice to be real, not a mere formality. We victims re- mained silent for a long time, and society owes us a debt. Forgetting cannot be part of that remembrance. WHAT DO VICTIMS STILL NEED, AND WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE? There are initiatives and victim protec- tion laws I consider positive, but some still need to be developed and properly implemented. More resources are also needed for commemorations and educa- tional activities. AFTER EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED, WHAT HAS CHANGED IN YOUR LIFE AND WHAT REMAINS? So much has changed. It was hard to climb out of the depths I was in, but now I value life differently. I try to enjoy my family and friends as much as possible. After everything that happened, I lost many relationships but kept a few people I consider truly important. Terrorism has not defeated me. I have descended into hell, hit rock bottom, wanted to die and wanted to forget. But I found the strength to keep going, to fight and to reach the end of the road. FINALLY, WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE? I want people to know the suffering be- hind an attack. After the fear of dying comes the fear of living. Physical wounds may heal, but psychological wounds re- main for years. Violence leads nowhere, and its consequences do not end when an attack is over. If there is one thing I want to convey, it is that there can always be a way back to living. Above all, I want those who died to be remembered. For them and all victims of terrorism, I call for honour, dignity, recog- nition and justice.