Remarks by Claudio Cordone, DSRSG for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance and UNAMI Officer in Charge Canal Hotel Bombing Commemoration: World Humanitarian Day and International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

Dear colleagues, friends,

Today, on the anniversary of the Canal Hotel bombing, we are marking two international days designated by the General Assembly. One is World Humanitarian Day, designated specifically on the anniversary of that bombing. The other is 21st August, the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.  

I wish to use these solemn commemorations to honour all the humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of humanity, and all victims and survivors of terrorism. 

Colleagues,

2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers, and 2024 is expected – sadly – to be even worse. Humanitarian workers from the UN alongside others from local and international NGOs are being killed, injured, abducted, together with the civilians they support and who, as always, bear the brunt of conflicts everywhere.

International humanitarian law is being trampled upon. More than ever before, atrocities are being documented, sometimes with pride by the very perpetrators, and yet, impunity prevails just about everywhere.

In our region, in Gaza, we have seen the highest number of UN staff killed in a single conflict.  Among them are 207 of my former colleagues at UNRWA, killed together with over 40,000 Palestinians in a ferocious war in which all sides are violating international law, and it is a war that may yet escalate into a regional conflagration.

In the words of the Secretary-General, this is a failure of humanity, responsibility, and leadership.

But this grim reality should not be a cause for despondency. On World Humanitarian Day, we do not only celebrate the work of humanitarians and remember the victims and survivors.

Today we also demand that all parties to conflicts end attacks on humanitarian workers and on all civilians.

We demand that those who order or commit violations of international law be held to account.

We demand support for institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, which exist to ensure accountability for states and individuals for the most egregious violations of international law.

Colleagues,

We of course have a particular reason to commemorate this day here in Baghdad.  The memory and the wounds, some invisible, of the attack on the Canal Hotel are still raw. We lost 22 colleagues on that day in 2003, only five days after UNAMI was established by the Security Council.  The then Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, was among those who lost their lives. More than 100 others were injured or impacted in other ways.

I am honoured that some of the survivors of the Canal Hotel bombing are with us today, still serving with the UN, working for their country. Please join me in paying a special tribute to them. 

I also wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all those who have lost colleagues, family members and friends. A special thought goes to the families of those who lost their lives at the Canal Hotel and who cannot be here with us today.

We know that the attack of 19 August 2003 was followed by an increasing violent campaign by various terrorist groups which wreaked death and destruction across the country for years on end. Yesterday, at the Foreign Ministry, I participated in an event to mark the Yazidi genocide at the hands of Da’esh, and I paid tribute to the Yazidi and other victims and survivors of terrorism, including those killed at the Canal Hotel and in the attack on the building of the Foreign Ministry in 2009, also on 19 August.

Colleagues,

Today we salute the courage of humanitarian workers.  We celebrate their dedication to serve all people in need: no matter who, no matter where, no matter what. 

We also recommit ourselves to confronting terrorism, and indeed all ideologies preaching the supremacy of one group over others and fuelling intolerance and violence, whether in this region or elsewhere in the world.

The best way to honour our humanitarian colleagues who were killed at the Canal Hotel, and since, is to keep on promoting the values of humanity, justice and peace. UNAMI is on the exit path, but we will not forget their memory and their commitment to Iraq, and to a better world everywhere. This is their legacy, and our continuing inspiration.

And now, before giving the floor to our colleague Hazem Abdulbaqi who will speak on behalf of the Canal Hotel survivors, I would like to express our appreciation to them in Arabic.

Once again on this anniversary, I salute you for your courage.  I wish to express our deep gratitude for your continuing contribution to the work of the UN in Iraq, and for your commitment to your country. We take pride in you just as you take pride in your work. I thank you on behalf of us all.

مرة أخرى في هذه الذكرى، أحييكم على شجاعتكم. وأود أن أعرب عن عميق امتناننا لكم لمساهمتكم المستمرة في عمل الأمم المتحدة في العراق وعلى التزامكم تجاه بلدكم. نحن نفتخر بكم كما انتم تفتخرون بعملكم. أشكركم باسمنا جميعا