ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS MUMBAI BOMBINGS AND CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO HELP END TERRORISM

25 August 2003




The acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan, condemns the bombings today in Mumbai, India, as particularly repulsive attacks against innocent civilians. The acting High Commissioner conveys his condolences to the relatives of the victims and to the Government and people of India.
The acting High Commissioner appeals for an immediate end to such acts and calls upon the international community to express its unqualified rejection of the attacks. He condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and states: “The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice. They must know that they will not be allowed to undermine international commitment to the basic tenets of human rights and the rule of law”.
The acting High Commissioner considers that those who carry out the kind of violence witnessed in Mumbai today have breached all limits of decency and that our civilization cannot allow this to continue. He calls upon political, religious and moral leaders worldwide to help bring an end to this cycle of violence and terrorism.



* *** *