Security Council

5816^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CONDEMNS ‘IN STRONGEST TERMS’

SUICIDE ATTACK THAT KILLED FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN

 

Members Pay Tribute to Benazir Bhutto, Express Sympathy for Other Victims

The Security Council this afternoon condemned in the strongest terms today’s suicide attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, which caused the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and numerous other casualties.

In a statement read out by Marcello Spatafora ( Italy), its President for December, the Council paid tribute to the former Prime Minister and expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of the “heinous act of terrorism” and their families, as well as to the people and Government of Pakistan.

Calling on all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country, the Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of the “reprehensible act of terrorism” to justice, urging all States to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in that regard.

The Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  It reminded States that any measures taken to combat terrorism complied with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

At the outset of the meeting, the Council President welcomed the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The meeting started at 2 p.m. and ended at 2:05 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2007/50 reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist suicide attack by extremists that occurred in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on 27 December 2007, causing the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and numerous other casualties, and expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of this heinous act of terrorism and their families, and to the people and the Government of Pakistan.  The Security Council pays tribute to former Prime Minister Bhutto.

“The Security Council calls on all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country.

“The Security Council underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolution 1373 (2001) and consistent with resolution 1624 (2005), to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in this regard.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  The Council reminds States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

* *** *

For information media • not an official record