The NGO Acted, six French employees of which were killed on August 9 in Niger, called on Wednesday August 19 in Paris France and the international community to recognize the murders of humanitarian workers as crimes against humanity.
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About a hundred colleagues and relatives gathered at the Trocadéro on the Human Rights Square to pay tribute to the victims. Four French women and two men, aged 25 to 31, were executed with their Nigerien driver and guide by armed men on motorcycles as they visited the Kouré giraffe reserve, 60 km to the south-east from the capital Niamey, where they were based.
" We hope for a strong gesture from France to help strengthen the protection of humanitarian workers and put an end to impunity, " the co-founder of the NGO, Frédéric Roussel, said at a press conference. " We have asked France, Niger, the European Union, the United Nations to include crimes against humanitarian workers on the list of crimes recognized as crimes against humanity, " he continued. " We want France to bring this resolution to the UN in September, " Frédéric Roussel told AFP.
125 aid workers killed in 2019
“ Last year was the deadliest of the decade for humanitarian workers: 483 were victims of terrorist attacks. Among them, 125 died, 234 were injured and 124 were kidnapped, ”said the co-founder of Acted. " Aid workers continue to work on the ground despite the increasing dangers we face ." This tribute ceremony was held on the occasion of World Humanitarian Aid Day. A minute of silence was observed, and white flowers placed on the names of humanitarians killed.
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Acted called on Parisians to come in the coming days to celebrate the memory of these “ French heroes, fallen for humanity ”. “ This tragedy is brutal, violent and totally unfair, ” said Simon, the brother of Miriam, one of the victims. “ Nevertheless, I cannot help but think about the fate of the millions of people who are in dire need of aid from humanitarian associations just to live, ” he added. The remains of the victims were repatriated to France on August 14. For Prime Minister Jean Castex, this “ heinous crime ” has “ everything of a terrorist attack ”, even if it has not been claimed. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) has opened an investigation for “ assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise ” and “ terrorist criminal association ”.