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UN expresses collective grief over victims of terrorist killings
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UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces delivers her remarks at the commemorative event on Friday
The United Nations expressed its collective grief over victims of the terrorist killings in Sri Lanka when the 193-member General Assembly extended its condolences to the families and renewed its commitment to combat violent extremism and terrorism.
Maria Fernanda Espinoza Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly, expressed her solidarity with Sri Lanka during these trying times. She said she was moved by Sri Lankans coming together following the attacks, opening the doors of mosques and temples for Christian services, and providing assistance to victims and their families.
‘I hope that we can use today’s commemorative event to express our solidarity with Sri Lanka, strengthen our resolve to combat violent extremism, increase multilateral cooperation on security and tackle the financing of terrorism. We must ensure that new and evolving technologies promote and do not harm human security”, she said.
The meeting, described as a commemorative event for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, was co-organised by the office of the President of the General Assembly, along with the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations.
The meeting was chaired by the President of the General Assembly with Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General in attendance.
Ms. Mohammed expressed sorrow that places of worship have become the playground of terrorists. The world is seeing a dangerous rise in intolerance, xenophobia and racism, she said, highlighting the work of the UN to combat terrorism and extremism, including through addressing hate speech and ensuring safety of religious sites.
Ambassador Dr. Rohan Perera, in his statement noted that “these inhuman and cruel acts on the holiest of days for Christians were debased in their cruelty and in their locations — carried out when devotees had closed their eyes in prayer and as tourists were enjoying a celebratory breakfast. Yet, against this carnage, as a nation, we became one, and the sorrow that the Christians underwent became the collective sorrow of an entire nation.”
He pointed out that it is vital, if “we are to preserve democratic space, that valuable tools such as Facebook and Twitter among others, are utilised as spaces to nurture healthy debate rather than breed violence and extremism. It is time for us to explore the possibility of an international consensus on a regulatory framework,” Dr. Perera said.
“I would be failing in my duty as Chair of the Working Group on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism if I do not state now, that the time has come for the international community to go beyond words and to demonstrate political will and commitment in taking the last remaining steps to conclude the Convention on Terrorism and complete the sectoral multilateral treaty regime to address the global phenomenon of terrorism. Too much blood has spilt for us to remain deadlocked on this issue,” the Ambassador said.
A large number of member states, UN officials and special invitees attended the event with states taking the floor to express condolences and extend their support to the government of Sri Lanka.
Among the states delivering statements were Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada China, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Guyana (on behalf of CARICOM), Holy See, India, Ireland, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritania (on behalf of the Arab Group), Maldives, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, USA, and Kazakhstan.
Apart from national statements, the five main regional groups at the United Nations, namely, Africa, Asia Pacific, Eastern European, Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western Europe and other states made statements on behalf of each group.
An elegy, specially composed by eminent Sri Lankan composer and conductor Dr. Lalanath de Silva, was played during the event. The United Nations Chamber Music Society performed a beautiful rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ sung by David Yardley of Australia and Mahalya Gogerly-Moragoda from Sri Lanka/USA, in honor of the victims.