Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Bamako, Mali

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President François Delattre (France):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Bamako, Mali, on 7 March 2015, resulting in the death of five civilians, including personnel of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the European Union, and many injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and to the Governments of Mali, Belgium and France.  The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, and stressed that those responsible for the attack shall be held accountable.

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.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and MINUSMA to assist the Malian authorities and the Malian people in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to their country, as mandated by the Security Council in resolution 2164 (2014).