Syria - Murder of Dr. Ibrahim Othman
Renewed violence in Gaza and the freedom to demonstrate in the occupied territories
Democratic Republic of Congo
Syria - Murder of Dr. Ibrahim Othman
France strongly condemns the despicable murder of Dr. Ibrahim Nahel Othman by Syrian forces.
A man of peace, Dr. Ibrahim Nahel Othman had, through his courage and action within the framework of coordinating Damascus Doctors, achieved recognition and universal respect, notably for his constant commitment to treating the injured without discrimination.
Through him, his murderers sought to prevent free access to the victims and to treatment.
While this crime arouses a strong sense of indignation and strong emotions in Syria, France reaffirms its determination to stand alongside the Syrian people in the face of the relentless crackdown to which they have been subjected for more than 9 months now.
France, more than ever, is mobilizing its efforts in all international forums in order to bring an end to the crackdown in Syria.
Renewed violence in Gaza and the freedom to demonstrate in the occupied territories
The most recent Israeli bombing of Gaza has had tragic consequences.
France, which has always condemned the firing of rockets and missiles into southern Israel, once again calls for restraint in order to save lives, ensure the safety of civilians, and maintain the truce in Gaza.
In the West Bank, France strongly deplores the death of a Palestinian demonstrator from the village of Nabi Saleh and reaffirms its attachment to the universal right to demonstrate peacefully.
Yesterday evening, the Ministre d’Etat (in the TV program “Internationales”) mentioned the initiatives necessary in order to avoid an “explosion” in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Are you able yet, at this stage, to give us any details about some of these initiatives?
As the Ministre d’Etat reaffirmed yesterday, France has been mobilized for several weeks now to work with its international partners to prevent any violent action and to encourage dialogue in order to ease tensions.
The transparency of the final results of the election is the main key to easing the situation. Together with its partners, France therefore made the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) aware that it would be prudent to publish the data from each polling station on its website. This was done and is a positive step.
We’re working with our partners and urge the African Union and the regional organizations to step up pressure to that end.
The Congolese political actors must demonstrate restraint and a sense of responsibility, use the legal means of redress in the event of a dispute over the results, and work together in a spirit of democratic dialogue in order to resolve the situation.