Security Council Press Statement on Attacks against Diplomatic Premises

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the series of violent attacks against embassies and consular premises of Member States in multiple locations on 13 and 14 September.  The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at these attacks, recalling that the very nature of diplomatic premises is peaceful and that diplomats have among their core functions the promotion of better understanding across countries and cultures.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that such acts are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council recalled the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, and the obligations on host Governments, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of these missions or impairment of their dignity.

In this context, the members of the Security Council called on all authorities to protect diplomatic and consular property and personnel, and to respect fully their international obligations in this regard.

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