For the second time this year, Paris has once again been gripped by unthinkable horror through acts of unspeakable terror with further suicide bomb attacks the following day in Beirut, Lebanon. A series of seemingly coordinated inhumane attacks have instilled a deep sense of fear and unimaginable panic across Paris, Beirut and beyond.
There is no justification, under any circumstances, for the deliberate targeting of innocent citizens, as the perpetrators of the latest wave of terror have done. DAP MALAYSIA condemns, on unequivocal terms, these acts of unforgivable terror.
No ideology, no political agenda, no moral argument can ever justify such unconscionable cruelty and violence against people. We stand in solidarity with the people of France and Europe amid such horrific tragedy. Our deepest condolences and sorrow are with the families of the victims and the besieged people of Paris & Beirut.
We call upon the government of France and Lebanon to conduct an exhaustive investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance to rule of law, due process and values of humanity. We sincerely understand the imperative of ensuring maximum security, protecting the civilian population, and preventing further panic.
But any security-related measure should be in consonance with the fundamental democratic principles, and should not come at the expense of basic civil liberties and human rights.
Let us not allow the violent and unforgivable deeds of a radical few undermine democracy and the world’s centuries-old quest for inclusiveness and pluralism.
We fervently hope that the most recent attacks will not lead to further erosion in multiculturalism, in France, Lebanon and worldwide. We caution against, and also condemn, efforts by ultra-right-wing and neo-fascist groups to exploit the latest wave of terror attacks to advocate for more exclusionary policies and mobilize hatred against minority groups, especially the French Muslim population and refugees in Europe in light of the recent attacks.
This is not about a clash of civilization or the perils of multiculturalism, as ultra-conservatives misleadingly suggest. The most recent crisis calls for a unified front against bigotry, extremism, and terror. Any fight against terrorism should involve both a structural dimension — eliminating social exclusion and deepening inclusive democracy — as well as a more urgent, progressive response to proliferation of extremist groups in different parts of the world.
We stand with the people of France, Lebanon and the freedom-loving nations of the world in this struggle for peace and pluralism. We from the DAP, call for all Malaysian political parties to set our ideological differences aside, together in human solidarity during these testing times.