UN rights official condemns Bali bomb attack, pledges support for anti-terrorism fight

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today strongly condemned Saturday's deadly attack in Bali, Indonesia, and pledged his full support for efforts to root out terrorism.

“Without the right to life, talk of basic human security and dignity holds little meaning,”

Sergio Vieira de Mello said in a statement released in Geneva, noting that at least 188 innocent people were killed in the bombing and many more wounded, giving rise to fears that the death toll could increase still further.

“Terrorism, and the infliction of such misery on innocents, is an affront to our common humanity: it is the most base violation of our fundamental human rights,” he said. “As High Commissioner, I will be the strongest possible ally in the international community’s united prosecution of terrorism and in our defence of universal, indivisible human rights and the rule of law.”

Mr. Vieira de Mello also extended his sympathies to “all the victims and loved ones of this appalling crime” as well as Indonesia and all those countries whose compatriots were among the dead.

On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan voiced his “utter condemnation” of the attack, which he said underscored the need for all States to cooperate in the struggle against terrorism.