Thank you for the statement from the Chairperson-in-Office with which you started. We also took note of the statements from the Representative on Freedom of the Media as well as the director of ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President.
The State Department and the White House put out statements this weekend, and President Obama had the opportunity to speak with the prime minister of Denmark to express our solidarity and deep condolences for the lives lost and for the people who were wounded in the attacks this weekend.
Obviously our hearts go out to the families of those who lost loved ones, and our best wishes go to the wounded that they may recover quickly.
I think in a moment like this it is important also to note that the number of people who died is not the only damage that is done in a terrorist attack, and that the intent of terrorist attacks is to spread fear much wider than the direct circle of the victims. For that reason I think it is especially important that we come together in defense of human rights and the values that were under attack, that we come together to reject anti-Semitic attacks wherever they occur and stand united in defense of freedom of expression, freedom of religion and against the hatred and intolerance that lies in the hearts of too many people.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Special Permanent Council, Vienna | February 17, 2015
