The role of civil organizations in the social construction of anti-terrorist meanings: a case study of the Mothers of Beslan Committee

Abstract

The paper explores the activities of civil organizations and their role in the social construction of antiterrorist meanings, focusing on the work of the Mothers of Beslan Committee a case study. The study methodology integrates theoretical frameworks from the sociology of reality construction (P. Berger, T. Luckmann), cultural trauma theory (J. Alexander), and the sociology of collective memory (M. Halbwachs). The methods include case studies and critical discourse analysis of the committee’s activities. The results of this study reveal that the committee acts as an agent of memory, truth, and diplomacy, creating narratives rooted in the rights of victims and firmly condemning terrorism. The study novelty is viewing an organization of terror victims as an active producer of meaning rather than a passive recipient of support. The paper discusses the various mechanisms through which alternative meanings are formed, including human rights advocacy, memorial practices, and diplomatic efforts, all set within the contemporary framework of state security. Such organizations play a crucial role in fostering a humanistic aspect of anti-terrorism culture, one that emphasizes memory, law, and compassion.