Security Council Press Statement on Bomb Attacks on School in Homs, Syria
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President María Cristina Perceval (Argentina):
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the twin bomb attacks on a school complex in Homs, Syria on 1 October 2014, which killed over 50 people and injured dozens more, a large majority of them children.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act, and to the people of Syria, and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council recalled that such targeting of schools and schoolchildren is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. They reiterated their condemnation of all grave violations and abuses committed against civilians including children, as well as their demand that all parties desist from attacks directed against civilian objects, in line with Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014) and 2165 (2014).
The members of the Security Council stressed the need to end impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights, reaffirming that those who have committed or are otherwise responsible for such violations or abuses in Syria must be brought to justice.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed 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 members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.
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.