The European Students’ Union condemns the terrorist attacks in Paris

The European Students’ Union strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Paris and send our condolences and solidarity with all the victims, their families and their beloved ones. All our thoughts and prayers are with all people in Paris and in France.

On the darkest and painful moments, when we feel disgusted and our soul wounded, we shall never pay back hate with hate nor give up our core values. These terrorist acts at the heart of Europe threat not only our safety and security, but the European project itself. We should keep being united and be stronger than fear. We need to make sure that education remains as a key tool against hate, intolerance, marginalisation, radicalisation and any kind of violence.

“The fear after those horrible attacks might be the seed for hate and intolerance; thus we might counteract this fear with education and hope” says Fernando Galán, ESU chairperson. ESU wants to stress that this attacks are not about religion, are about extremism and hate. “Only extremism and ignorance can distort and twist to that extend the message of peace and fraternity in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism or Buddhism” Fernando continues.

ESU is also terribly concerned about the hate-speech and violence raised against refugees as consequence of these attacks. “I want to ask those blaming refugees for the attacks: Do you not realise that these are exactly the people that they are trying to run away from?” Fernando states.

We must commit, once again, to build inclusive societies, founded on democratic values and human rights. Education is key to avoid hate, intolerance, marginalisation, radicalisation and any kind of violence. The answer is not an easy or quick one, but we should stay human and be stronger than fear.

ESU asks students and students’ unions to lead by example and communicate that this attacks are about extremism and hate that have nothing to do with religion. We shall also protect refugees and migrants, especially students and young people from muslim culture, from hate attacks. We need to counteract the possible outcome of what this seed of fear might mean for all Europeans and for Europe itself.

#PrayforParis #NousSommesUnis