Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
On the Attack on a Church in Burkina Faso
New York – 13 May 2019
Mr. Miguel Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) strongly condemns the attack on a Catholic Church in the town of Dablo in northern Burkina Faso during Sunday Mass on 12 May 2019. The attackers killed at least six people, including a priest, and burned down the church.
Mr. Moratinos notes that the attack is a hate crime targeting faith communities and reiterates that we need to act against extremism in all its forms – whether it targets churches, mosques, synagogues, or any other place of worship. He vows to continue to work on developing his Plan of Action for Safeguarding All Religious Sites to guarantee that people everywhere are able to observe and practice their faith in peace.
On behalf of UNAOC, the High Representative expresses his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and his sympathies to the people and the Government of Burkina Faso.
For queries, please contact:
Ms. Nihal Saad, UNAOC Chief of Cabinet and Spokesperson for the High Representative
saadn@un.org; +1 646 255 4664