Letter of Solidarity with victims in Munich

Dear colleagues at Verdi,

We are shocked by the news of the attack and the devastation during the demonstration in Munich earlier this Thursday. We express our solidarity with you and with all the victims, and call for Trade Unions and civil society at large to defend with unwavering resolve the values of democracy, equality and freedom, and the right to demonstrate.

We await results from the police investigation. In this hour of distress, and as the elections in Germany approach, there will be some who will try to seize the opportunity of this attack for political gains. We must remember that Human Rights cannot be applied selectively and that entire collectives cannot be blamed for actions of individuals. Within the frame of the rule of law, our societies must combat violent extremism, be it from far right or fundamentalist Islamic positions. This kind of criminal attacks on our citizens call for better crime prevention means and for clear enforcement of the law and effective de-radicalisation measures.

Our thoughts and solidarity are with you, 

Lucie Studnicná

President of the EESC Workers' Group