Statement from the Secretary-General: The attacks in Brussels

Our heartfelt condolences go to the families who lost their loved ones in the terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016. Our thoughts are with them and we stand together with Belgium and its citizens in their mourning.

International IDEA and the international community condemn once again such shameful acts of terrorism. Terrorism seeks to destroy and disrupt our way of life. In particular, it attacks the fundamental values of democracy that International IDEA stands for.

Violent actions by an inhumane group of persons cannot be allowed to shake and weaken what has taken centuries to build and to protect. Democracies need to stand united. Democracy is the only way to address the root causes of these kinds of horrific and intolerable expressions of discontent with and within societies.