Security Council Press Statement on Assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Román Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Ankara, Turkey, on 19 December, which resulted in the assassination of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.  The members of the Security Council expressed their deep condolences to the family of the Ambassador and the Government of the Russian Federation.

The members of the Security Council reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist attacks to justice.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all 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 reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, including international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council also stressed the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic agents and consular officers and the obligations, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on diplomatic agents and consular officers.