Security Council Press Statement on Mali

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Samantha Power (United States):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the release in Gao, Mali, on 30 August 2014 of the two Algerian diplomats that were taken hostage by the Mouvement pour l’Unicité et le Jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest (MUJAO) in April 2012.

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the assassination of another Algerian diplomat and expressed deep regret about the death while in captivity of the Algerian Consul.  They expressed their deep condolences to the family of the two victims as well as to the Government of Algeria. 

The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for these kidnappings and killings shall be held accountable.  They called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed 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, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and recalled, according to Security Council resolution 2133 (2014), that all Member States should prevent terrorists from benefiting directly or indirectly from ransom payments or from political concessions and to secure the safe release of hostages.  They reiterated their call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the French forces who support it and called on all parties to cooperate fully with the Mission.

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For information media • not an official record