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UN Chief Condemns Zamfara Killings, Asks FG To Arrest Perpetrators
The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres, has condemned the recent attacks that claimed the lives of scores of residents in Zamfara State.
In a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, he condoled with the families whose loved ones were lost to the attacks.
He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the assailants and assured the Nigerian government of the UN’s support in the fight against terrorists and other criminals.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the appalling attacks perpetrated over the weekend in Nigeria’s Zamfara State in which scores of civilians were killed,” the statement said. “He extends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“The Secretary-General urges the Nigerian authorities to spare no effort in bringing those responsible for these heinous crimes to justice.
“The Secretary-General reaffirms the solidarity and support of the United Nations to the Government and people of Nigeria in their fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime.”
Reports gathered that scores of locals were killed in recent attacks by bandits on two local government areas of Zamfara.
No fewer than four villages were razed in the attacks that lasted about 48 hours in Anka and Bukkuyum LGAs.
The incidents attracted condemnation from various individuals and groups within Nigeria, and from the international community.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also condemned the attacks in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
“The latest attacks on innocent people by the bandits is an act of desperation by mass murderers, now under relentless pressure from our military forces who are well equipped to effectively confront these enemies of humanity,” he had said.
“In keeping with my commitment to tackling the monster of terrorism head-on, let me reassure these besieged communities and other Nigerians that this government will not abandon them to their fate because we are more than ever determined to get rid of these outlaws.
“These criminals will be history because we are not going to relent in our current military operations to get rid of these thugs who have been terrorising innocent people.”
January 11, 2022
We still live in the shadow of slave trade — UN Chief
UN Secretary-General António Guterres says the world “still lives in the shadow of the transatlantic slave trade” in spite of rejecting racism.
In a video message to mark the 2020 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Guterres said racism continued to plague the world.
The UN Chief emphasised that all structures and support systems of racism must be dismantled for the world to move forward.
Commemorated every year since 2008, the international day honours victims of the transatlantic slave trade considered the worst violation of human rights in history.
The practice, which spanned over 400 years, saw no fewer than 15 million Africans snatched from their homelands and shipped overseas for forced labour .
Guterres said the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Confronting Slavery’s Legacy of Racism Together”, underscored the “strong role” racism continued to play in today’s world.
“This moving memorial commemorates the women, men and children who suffered and died after being forced onto slave ships to cross the Atlantic — one of the biggest crimes in the history of humankind.
“Racism is the reason, outside Africa, people of African descent are often among the last in line for health care, education, justice and opportunities of all kinds.
“We need to raise our voices against all expressions of racism and instances of racist behaviour.
“We urgently need to dismantle racist structures and reform racist institutions.
“We can only move forward by confronting the racist legacy of slavery together,” he said.
To this end, President of the UN General Assembly, Amb, Tijani Muhammad-Bande, called for strong policies and programmes by member-states to end hate speech, xenophobia and racism.
“We must take collective action to reaffirm our commitment to implement the Durban Declaration of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
“We simply cannot be indifferent to injustice. It is incumbent upon each of us to uphold the human rights of everyone, everywhere,” he said.(NAN)
March 26, 2020
UNGA: UN chief decries growing impunity, authoritarianism
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday decried growing violations of international humanitarian laws and the emergence of “new forms of authoritarianism’’ around the globe.
Addressing world leaders at the opening of the UN General Debate in New York, Guterres said he was seeing not only “borders but hearts closing’’, and increased hostility by all societies to foreigners.
“We also see new forms of authoritarianism appearing, and the civic space is narrowing and citizens’ voices stifled.
“Human rights advocates, environmental activists and journalists are being targeted.
“Day after day, clique by clique, camera by camera, surveillance systems are expanding their reach and encroaching on our privacy.
“But these breaches go beyond the breakdown of rules governing the behaviours of states and businesses. They are playing out on a deeper level’’, he said.
The UN Chief noted that all those called to question “our compassion and our humanity’’.
Guterres said at a time of unprecedented movement of refugees and internally displaced people across borders, countries were shutting their borders and the doors of their hearts.
“We see not only borders but also hearts closing and all societies becoming hostile to foreigners.
“ We can see refugees and families torn apart and other rights to seek asylum flouted,’’ he said.
Guterres urged world leaders to uphold the first-ever Global Compact on Migration last December and strengthen international cooperation for orderly migration.
In his opening address, President of the 74th General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, called for the strengthening of cooperation among nations for the promotion of international peace and security.
“The promotion of international peace and security is at the heart of the work of the United Nations.
“We must continue to strengthen the Organisation by ensuring that its peace and security architecture is appropriate for the 21st century, particularly making a priority of prevention.
“Drivers of conflict such as poverty, inequality, human rights abuses, lack of access to education and employment opportunities, must be tackled head-on.
“Through proper sharing of ideas and functional partnerships, we can address them successfully,’’ he said.(NAN)
September 25, 2019