The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has "strongly condemned" the recent act of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, emphatically expressing that individuals involved in violence have to be taken to court, including planners and supporters of the "heinous act of terrorism."
In a Press Release of the 'terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir,' the 15-nation body expressed its unambivalent condemnation of April 22's terrorist assault that resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals and wounded several more.
"The members of the Security Council stressed the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this atrocious act of terrorism accountable and to justice," read the release.
The Council further called for responsibility and accountability and appealed to all the states to co-operate with responsible agencies closely, "according to their responsibilities under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions," so that justice is administered.
Typically, a press statement is a common position of all 15 members of the Council and is read by the President of the Security Council in session. France was exercising the April Presidency at present, and it was read by Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the UN.
It was reported that the United States had initially presented the draft statement, which was subsequently negotiated and approved by Council members.
Noteworthy is that Pakistan is a current non-permanent member of the Security Council. Since press statements are determined through consensus among Council members, the final text is one of consensus.
The UNSC members conveyed their sincere regrets and deepest condolences to the governments of India and Nepal and to the families of those who lost their lives. They also wished speedy and full recovery to the injured. The 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national lost their lives in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, who were mostly tourists from across different parts of India.
Reasserting their tried-and-true stance on counter-terrorism, Council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms remains one of the most dangerous threats to peace and security anywhere. They emphasized that terrorism in all its forms is criminal and never acceptable in any shape or form, no matter the motive, location, time, or perpetrators.
The UNSC also reiterated the need for all states to counter terrorist threats through all the means that are legitimate under the United Nations Charter and international obligations, including human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law.
In a simultaneous development, during a press conference on Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric reacted to a question on the India-Pakistan situation. "We continue to follow the situation with very deep concern," he said.
"And we, of course, again deplore the attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, which, as you know, resulted in the deaths of about 26 civilians. And we again call upon the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to exercise utmost restraint in order to avoid further escalation."
Pressed as to whether the Secretary-General, who had attended Pope Francis' funeral in Rome, would see Indian and Pakistani leaders upon his return to New York, Dujarric replied, "I hope to have something to share with you" on that score.
Dujarric also rejected the implication that dangers of war between "two nuclear nations" were being downplayed. "Let me just say, I disagree with your statement. we are closely watching the situation between India and Pakistan," he insisted.
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