Asian leaders denounce Paris attack on 'Charlie Hebdo'

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Asian leaders denounce Paris attack
Asia News Network

BANGKOK: -- South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand join the world in condemning the attack on a French satirical weekly.

Their leaders denounced the killing of 12 people and the wounding of 11 others by masked gunmen who stormed the offices of a satirical newspaper in Paris, France.

South Korea called it a "shocking terror attack" and vowed to join international efforts to fight terrorism.

"The government cannot hide its shock over the deaths of many people including police officers in the act of terrorism on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo and strongly denounces this terrorist act," South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The South Korean government prays for the repose of the victims and offers its deep condolences to the bereaved families and the French people." "Under the firm stance that terrorism is an unjustifiable, anti-civil and anti-human act that must be eradicated, South Korea supports the French government’s fight against terrorism," it said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he was "profoundly shocked and saddened" to learn of the brutal attack.

In a statement, he conveyed his condolences to the French government and to the families of the victims.

"Thailand strongly condemns this act of terrorism. All perpetrators must be brought to justice. We stand in solidarity with the people of the French Republic in this moment of mourning," Prayut said.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak took to Twitter immediately after news came out on the attack to condemn it. "Malaysia condemns in the strongest terms all acts of violence. We stand in unity with the French people. We must fight extremism with moderation," he tweeted.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said nothing justifies taking innocent lives amid the most deadly militant attack in the country in decades.

"The Government of Malaysia strongly condemns the attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo on January 7. Nothing justifies taking innocent lives. Malaysia is united with the families of the victims, the Government of France, and the French people. As the Prime Minister of Malaysia has said, we must fight extremism with moderation, cross-cultural understanding and respect," said the statement.

Philippine Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said freedom of expression and of the press must continue to be upheld and protected.

"We condemn the terror attack that killed journalists and policemen in Paris," Coloma told INQUIRER.net several hours after the shooting, which French President Francois Hollande said was a terrorist attack.

It followed an earlier statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that said it was "appalled by the senseless attacks".

The agency said it was one with France and the rest of the world in denouncing the "blatant disregard for human lives and the fundamental right of expression."

"We condole and sympathise with the families of the victims as they mourn the loss of their loved ones and begin their quest for justice," the DFA added.

On Wednesday, three gunmen stormed the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly known for lampooning Islam and other religions.

An editor-in-chief and three cartoonists were among the victims killed in the attack.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/aec/Asian-leaders-denounce-Paris-attack-30251484.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-08

[klauskunkel]

As the Prime Minister of Malaysia has said, we must fight extremism with moderation, cross-cultural understanding and respect

Yes, moderation has worked very well so far, cross-cultural understanding is at an all-time high (with expressions of "Allahu Akbar" and "Jihad" finding their way into everyday usage), it's only the respect thing we still have to work on, when you are kneeling blindfolded waiting to be decapitated it is hard to sincerely convey respect, but with enough time and many more traumatic incidents I am sure we will all learn to develop the proper respect automatically. After all, we are creatures of habit.

[rickirs]

I wonder if General Prayut noticed there was not a word from his recent associates Russia, China, or North Korea condemning the attack. In any case I doubt the French care much about what platitudes General Prayut has for the aggregious attack on French freedom of speech when he has abolished the Thai Constitution, rules under martial law, and actively suppresses freedom of speech in Thailand.

[DM07]

My dear General: you have a law in your country, that gives anyone a lengthy jail- sentence, if certain persons are ridiculed or criticized and you are strongly advocating for that!

In my humble opinion, you have no right at all, to say anything to the happenings in Paris!