UN pays tribute to British parliamentarian Jo Cox

Standing up for values and principles that unite us – not divide us – and never succumbing to violent provocations in today’s world is vital so that extremists and perpetrators do not declare victory, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General emphasized today at a ceremony in tribute to Jo Cox, the United Kingdom Member of Parliament who was killed this past week.

Hundreds of people gathered at a ceremony this morning in a courtyard at the New York headquarters of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in front of 42 white roses to mark the birthday of Ms. Cox.

“That we all gather here today at the UN is a tribute to Jo, and is a sign of how profoundly she touched our hearts,” said Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson.

“But also of how strongly her death has reminded us of standing up for values and principles that unite us – not divide us – in today’s deeply troubled world,” he added.

Noting that the world was “shocked and saddened when Jo was taken away from us under the most brutal circumstances a few days ago,” Mr. Eliasson said thoughts and prayers are now with Ms. Cox’s husband, Brendan, and her two young children.

“‘There is more that unites us than divides us.’ These words from Jo are now spread around the world. So are Brendan’s words, saying: ‘Hate does not have a creed, race or religion – it is poisonous,’” the Deputy Secretary-General said.

UNIFEED-UNTV screen capture of Jo Cox

Ms. Cox was killed this past Thursday in an attack in her district of northern England after meeting with constituents, a few days ahead of a referendum on whether the United Kingdom (UK) should stay or leave the European Union. A Member of Parliament since 2015, she had worked in New York between 2007 and 2008 as head of Oxfam’s international humanitarian campaigns.

Mr. Eliasson recounted that last night, he talked to Joanne Nichols, one of Ms. Cox’s long-time friends and colleagues from Oxfam, having served together in London and Brussels.

“Joanne told me about Jo’s generosity and warmth. She said her smile melted everybody. Her sense of humour broke ice and transformed tense situations into real conversations, a real skill. Her humanity and respect for all human beings, and their dignity and equal value permeated and informed everything she did,” Mr. Eliasson said.

“In this moment of grief, anger and frustration for many of us, let us ask ourselves what we can do to best honour Jo Cox and her life,” he added.

The Deputy Secretary-General called for standing behind the values and principles that Ms. Cox lived for, which he said are “remarkably close” to the UN Charter.

“Let us be energized by Jo’s courage and Jo’s commitment for a common humanity. Let us take actions in her spirit. And let us mobilize all good forces around the convictions we know Jo embraced,” he stressed.

Participants at today’s ceremony included Samantha Power, the United States ambassador to the UN, who read a statement from US President Barack Obama. Other tribute events are taking place today around the world.