The recent terrorist attack on a French satirical weekly, Charlie Hebdo, in which about 12 people were killed, has been widely condemned by leaders across the globe. The attack is believed to have been launched by suspected Islamic militants because of certain cartoons published in the newspaper, which they had earlier claimed to be a mockery of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.
World leaders have risen in solidarity with France over the unfortunate incident. There is no doubt that in this attack, the world united against terrorism. Notable figures have strongly denounced the dastardly attempt at the abridgement of the right to freedom of expression and the press that the attack on the weekly represents. We join our voice to the global outrage over this incident and unequivocally identify with the French at this difficult period.
We praise the swift and resolute efforts of the French authorities to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. The response of the government and security operatives to the attack is commendable. It is worthy of emulation by the relevant authorities in Nigeria.
While we lament the loss of so many lives in this incident, we hail the solidarity of the French people against the attackers and their identification with the victims. Nigerians should learn lessons from this.
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen has claimed responsibility for this attack, saying it was ordered by the Islamist militant group’s leadership for insulting Prophet Mohammed.
The attack on the newspaper is an assault on freedom of speech and the press. It violates the right to free expression of opinions. For instance, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” This provision is in accord with the provisions of Sections 22 and 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
We condemn the attack and call for global action against all forms of terrorism in every part of the world. Any violation of human rights, wherever it occurs, is a threat to the welfare and dignity of the entire human family. Therefore, the protection of the human right to free speech is a worldwide responsibility which transcends all racial, ideological and geographical boundaries.
The problem of terrorism should no longer be localized as an internal problem of each country or zone. The earlier the entire world rose against the menace, the better. The world must be eternally vigilant to be able to overcome the increasing global terrorism. That it happened in France is an indication that it could happen anywhere in the world.
Terrorism knows no boundary any longer. World leaders must cooperate to end it because it is no longer a problem of the developing world alone. It is spreading like wild harmattan fire and can strike anywhere. Therefore, the entire world must rise in unison against the hydra-headed monster.
The solidarity of the world with France in this particular incident is touching. Such solidarity should be extended to Nigeria and other countries that are fighting one form of terrorism or the other.
The United Nations (UN) should come out with a global action plan against terrorism, which is the new threat to global peace.
It does not really matter anymore where these attacks occur, what is important is that terrorism is now a global problem that requires a global effort to overcome. The world must rise against the growing phenomenon.
