OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Kurz and OSCE Secretary General Greminger express outrage at latest targeting of civilians in Barcelona attack

VIENNA, 17 August 2017 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger expressed outrage at the terrorist attack in Barcelona, in which numerous persons died and were injured. They offered their condolences to the families of the slain victims and wished a quick recovery to the injured. 

“Today’s terrorist attack in such an animated and popular street as Barcelona’s Las Ramblas is an attack on us all and on our way of life. In this hour of grief we stand side by side with our Spanish friends. The deliberate targeting of civilians is once more a proof of the perpetrators’ total disregard for human life,” said Kurz, urging all OSCE participating States and Partners not to be intimidated by murder and violence.

“This brutal and cowardly act is yet another attempt to instill widespread fear in our societies. Instead of reacting as the terrorists want, we must all commit to standing together in countering terrorism and violent extremism and to strengthening our resolve to work together to tackle them at all levels".

Secretary General Greminger said the OSCE would continue to build on a wide variety of approaches and means to address the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization leading to extremism, ranging from de‑escalation of conflicts, through policing and the rule of law, to efforts to prevent violent ideologies from taking root in the minds of young people.

“The hatred and violent extremism that threaten the very foundation of the OSCE and its core values must be addressed through the joint efforts of all of its participating States. We must stand up to forces that use violence and fear to exploit our differences. The OSCE will spare no efforts to rise to this challenge", said Greminger.