 |
| [PHOTO: Thierry Caro/CC BY-SA 4.0] |
Washington/London/Berlin/New Delhi: Leaders around the world have condemned the attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris that left twelve people dead and scores injured.
Responding to the news, the world leaders said:
US Secretary of State John Kerry:
“France sparked so many revolutions of the human spirit, borne of freedom and of free expression, and that is what the extremists fear the most. They may wield weapons, but we in France and in the United States share a commitment to those who wield something that is far more powerful – not just a pen, but a pen that represents an instrument of freedom, not fear. Free expression and a free press are core values, they are universal values; principles that can be attacked but never eradicated, because brave and decent people around the world will never give in to the intimidation and the terror that those seeking to destroy those values employ.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron:
“What has happened in Paris is an appalling terrorist outrage and I know that everyone in Britain will want to stand with the French government and with the French people at this time. We must never allow the values that we hold dear, of democracy, of freedom of speech to be damaged by these terrorists. We must stand against what they have done and I feel huge sympathy for everyone in France, particularly for the families of those who have lost loved ones. We will stand with you at this time and I know that Chancellor Merkel will absolutely agree with me that everyone should combine to condemn completely this outrage and stand with the French people at this time.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel:
“What has happened in Paris today is indeed a barbarous attack against all of the values we share. All of us that live in Europe strongly condemn these attacks and our thoughts go out to the French people and particularly to those who have lost loved ones in this horrendous attack. This is an attack against the values we all hold dear, values by which we stand, values of freedom of the press, freedom in general and the dignity of man. And again our thoughts are with the French people with all of those who have lost loved ones in this horrific attack and everything we can do to help the French we will certainly do.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi:
"Condemnable and despicable attack in Paris. Our solidarity with people of France. My thoughts are with families of those who lost their lives."