LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF WORLD CITIZENS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

November 14, 2015

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Dear President Hollande,

The Association of World Citizens (AWC) wishes to extend its sincerest condolences to the French Republic for the tragic death of – at the time of writing – over 120 of its nationals in terror attacks in several parts of Paris, as a French-Germany football game was taking place at the Stade de France, even more people having been injured, some of them seriously. All our thoughts are with them.

Whatever the reason for which it may be used, terrorism is never justifiable or excusable, resorting to it being in every time and place, in the words of the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by Frenchman René Cassin and adopted in your very own capital, “barbarous acts which (outrage) the conscience of mankind”.

We hear you have declared a state of emergency on all of France’s territory, a move that is all too understandable under these circumstances.

We are sure that the French Government will know how to protect its own people while remaining respectful of its domestic laws and international commitments, as is required in the fight against terrorism which is a full-fledged part of the fight for human rights.

We hereby express our wholehearted solidarity and moral support in the face of this new ordeal imposed onto the French people.

Please accept, Dear President Hollande, the assurances of our highest consideration

Prof. René Wadlow, President

Bernard Henry, External Relations Officer

Cherifa Maaoui, Liaison Officer – Middle East & North Africa

Noura Addad – Attorney at Law –, Legal Officer