Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Brussels

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins (Angola):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium, on 22 March 2016, during which more than 30 people were killed and many more injured, for which Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) has claimed responsibility.  They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Belgium, as well as to all Governments whose citizens were killed in these attacks.  They wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

They expressed their solidarity to Belgium in their fight against terrorism and stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to overcome terrorism and violent extremism, which may be conducive to terrorism.

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.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists, in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).