UN bodies and senior officials condemn Istanbul shooting attack

The UNSC condemned the weekend terror attack in Istanbul, expressing hope that those responsible will be brought to justice. 

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Sunday afternoon strongly denounced Sunday morning’s shooting attack at the international Reina nightclub in Istanbul in which 39 people were killed and more than 65 others injured.

“The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the heinous and barbaric terrorist attack,” the UN Security Council said in a statement. “Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

The Council stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice and urged UN member states to help Turkey with such efforts. They also expressed condolences to bereaved family members as well as a speedy recovery to the more than 65 injured victims.

The new UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the UNSC’s remarks. 

“(Guterres) hopes that the organizers and perpetrators of this heinous act will be identified and brought to justice swiftly,” his spokesman related. “He extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with the government and people of the Republic of Turkey and of those countries whose nationals were impacted.”

The UN Alliance of Civilizations, a UN body that works with state and non-state actors “to  improve cross-cultural relations between diverse nations and communities,” also strongly denounced the attack and expressed condolences.

“The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey, during New Year’s celebrations,” said Al-Nasser’s spokesman in a statement.

“The horrific attack, which killed and injured dozens of innocent revelers, is a despicable and an unjustifiable act regardless of the motivation,” he continued. “The High Representative extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the people and the Government of Turkey.”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News