OSCE participating States adopt Declaration condemning 'brutal and indiscriminate' Paris attacks and recent terrorist atrocities

VIENNA, 17 November 2015 – In a special meeting of the Permanent Council to discuss the recent attacks in Paris, the OSCE’S 57 participating States today said they stand united in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism that leads to terrorism, "underlining that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization."

In a Declaration adopted at the meeting, the representatives said they were "horrified" by the deadly terrorist attacks against civilians, and offered "heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and to the people and Government of France, and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured."

Recalling the recent terrorist atrocities claimed or committed by ISIL/DAESH that occurred across the OSCE area and its neighbourhood, the participating States condemned "these brutal and indiscriminate acts of violence against innocent people" and stressed "the need to bring the perpetrators to justice."

The Declaration emphasized that terrorism can only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the active participation and collaboration of all States and international and regional organizations to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat."

The States reaffirmed their determination "to protect the fundamental principles on which the OSCE is based, and to implement all OSCE commitments, particularly those related to combating terrorism and the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, to respecting human rights and the rule of law and fostering tolerance and non discrimination, mutual respect and understanding in our societies."