United Nations Security Council and European Union came down heavily upon the Friday's militant attack at the Honey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's diplomatic zone Gulshan.

UN Security Council condemns "cowardly" attack

The UN Security Council has joined an international chorus condemning Friday's terrorist attack, for which Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) has claimed responsibility.

In shock, in solidarity

In a press statement issued yesterday, the council  said it "condemns the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack […], which resulted in more than 20 Bangladeshi nationals and foreigners, including development workers, killed and many injured."

The 15-member body reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," underscoring the need for all States to combat such threats by all means, according to UN News Centre in New York.

The council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all states to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.



The council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the people and Government of Bangladesh, as well as peoples and Governments of foreign victims, wishing speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday condemned the terrorist attack and stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, according to his spokesperson.

Once again an attack on our way of life: UNWTO

A condemnation also came from the UN tourism agency.

"UNWTO [World Tourism Organization] strongly condemns the hideous attack perpetrated yesterday in a cafe in Dhaka, Bangladesh," Taleb Rifai, the agency's secretary-general, said in a statement Saturday.

"This is not an attack on Bangladesh but is once again an attack on our way of life, an attack on freedom," he added.

Mogens Lykketoft, president of the UN General Assembly, also condemned the terrorist attack.

"We must stand together against terror," Lykketoft said. "This deadly and cowardly act must not go unpunished," he said.

Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, the high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), reiterated his solidarity with the Government of Bangladesh in its efforts to combat all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

The UN officials all conveyed their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as the people and Government of Bangladesh.

Fight against terrorism will continue unabated: EU

"The fight against terrorism will continue unabated. The European Union stands united against all forms of extremism. These attacks must not be allowed to undermine our common values," reads a statement issued yesterday by President of European Council Donald Tusk.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the brutal attack in Dhaka, which cost the lives of several Italians, Japanese, Bangladeshi and other foreign nationals. I extend my condolences to the families and relatives of all the victims," Tusk said.

"The European Union stands side by side with Italy, its people and its authorities at this sad moment," the statement added quoting Tusk.