COPENHAGEN, 17 August 2017 – OSCE Parliamentary President Christine Muttonen (Austria), Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism Chair Makis Voridis (Greece) and human rights committee Chair Nacho Sanchez Amor (Spain) condemned today the attack in Barcelona, Spain, which is being treated by the authorities as terrorism. At least 13 people were killed and 50 seriously injured when a van plowed into pedestrians in the city’s historic Las Ramblas district.

“I condemn in the strongest terms today’s horrible act of violence carried out against tourists and residents in Barcelona, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims and to all the people of Spain,” President Muttonen said. “I wish the injured a speedy and full recovery, as well as comfort to the loved ones of the deceased.”

Voridis stressed that extremist violence has no justification and must be countered in all its forms.

“Following similar atrocities that have taken place recently in France, Germany and Britain, as well as just this past weekend in the U.S. state of Virginia, we must state clearly that this sort of violence has no place in our societies, and stress that no good can come from violent extremism no matter its political or religious motivations,” Voridis said. “As Chair of the OSCE PA’s newly formed Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, I look forward to working with international partners to develop effective strategies in fighting violent extremism and terrorism.”

Sanchez Amor expressed regret for the loss of life in Barcelona. “This was an attack on the first of all human rights – the right to life. An attack such as this in a lively and kind city such as Barcelona, full of tourists and locals enjoying a summer evening, is especially vile,” he said.