United Nation’s Staff Union, Others Demand Justice For Victims

Posted by admin Latest Politics, National Politics, United Nations Saturday, August 27th, 2011

TOP United Nations officials, including Nigerian diplomats, have expressed anger over Friday’s bombing of the UN House in Abuja, just as the organisation yesterday started flying its flags halfmast as a mark of honor for its international staff killed in the attack.

A UN statement said the flags, which include all flags of member-nations in front of the UN head office in New York, would be flown at half-mast for three days starting yesterday.

In his reaction, Prof. Gambari, one of the two most senior Nigerian diplomats working for the United Nations, expressed outright anger calling the attack a dastardly act and asking that the perpetrators be brought to book.

“This event, once again, serves as a tragic reminder of the innumerable risks undertaken daily by United Nations personnel across the globe,” the union said in its reaction.

Also, the heads of several UN agencies have been deploring the bombing, including the Administrator of the UN Development Programme, UNDP Helen Clark.

According to Clark “these are unarmed civilians who have dedicated their lives to helping the people of Nigeria.” Miss Clark added that the UN Country Team is working closely with national authorities to account for those still missing.

In the same vein, the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Anthony Lake, also stated that the loss of UN colleagues comes exactly one week after the Organisation commemorated the bravery of those working to save lives around the globe during the annual World Humanitarian Day.

“This tragic event should remind us all of the courage of so many other aid workers who face similar dangers and who are doing so much for so many around the world,” he said.

-Guardianwp_posts