Top UN officials expressed sadness by violent scenes at US Capitol building
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Top UN officials expressed sadness by violent scenes at US Capitol building

Top UN officials expressed sadness by violent scenes at US Capitol building
The United States Capitol, in Washington D.C. Photo: Collected


Top UN officials, including the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly, have expressed sadness over the violence that erupted on Wednesday when supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol building, temporarily bringing to a halt the disputed certification of November’s presidential election result.

Guaranteeing equal opportunities, protection & participation in decision-making are not simply moral & legal obligations.

They are a necessary condition for countries to truly break the cycle of poverty & conflict.

My remarks to the Security Council. https://t.co/O1LXYDf0fP

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) January 6, 2021

Several thousand protesters marched on the US Capitol in Washington DC, the heart of American democracy and home to the House of Representatives and the Senate, after being addressed by President Trump and his supporters outside the White House, who are continuing to make false claims of election rigging, reports UN News.

Also Read: Pro Trump mob storms US capitol; 4 killed

Also Read: AP PHOTOS: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol shock world

Law enforcement officers were overwhelmed, and amidst scenes of mob violence and clashes with police, seen across the world on television, one woman was reportedly shot and killed inside the Capitol. 

After the building was cleared and legislators resumed the certification hearings mid-evening, amidst an effort by a Republican minority to deny the victory of President-Elect Joe Biden, the Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, described the mob violence as a “failed insurrection”.

Responsibility of leadership

“The Secretary-General is saddened by the events at the US Capitol in Washington DC, on Wednesday,” a spokesperson for António Guterres said, in response to questions from correspondents.

Also Read: House rejects objection to Biden's Arizona win

Also Read: Protesters swarm to Capitol, halt session on Biden victory

“In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law.”

Hope peace will prevail 

Volkan Bozkir, President of the UN General Assembly also voiced his dismay at the scenes that unfolded on Capitol Hill.

In a tweet, Mr. Bozkir, said that the “US is one of the world’s major democracies.”

Also Read: Congress set to confirm Biden’s electoral win over Trump

“I believe that peace and respect for democratic processes will prevail in our host country at this critical time”, he added.

Unacceptable assault 

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international organization that promotes world-wide parliamentary dialogue and representative democracy, also denounced the violence.

“The IPU and the parliamentary community strongly condemn the violence and the assault on the US Capitol by protestors on Wednesday 6 January”, the body said in a statement.

Also read: Wisconsin, Arizona certify Biden wins in presidential vote

“The integrity of this bastion of democracy and of the representatives of the people of the United States must be respected”, it urged.

Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General said he was “deeply dismayed” by the news of the violence.

“This is an unacceptable and disgraceful assault on democracy and its representatives,” he said.

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