Ban Ki-moon pays tribute to victims of Paris attacks outside Bataclan

06.12.2015 - Sunday 6 December at 3pm, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo paid hommage to the victims of the Paris Attacks at the concert hall Bataclan where 130 people were killed. 

With a bowed head, the Secretary-General laid a bouquet of flowers in front of the concert hall. Tens of bystanders applauded the gesture, chanting “merci merci, Monsieur Ban Ki-moon.”

Next, the UN chief visited “La Bonne Bière," one of the targeted restaurants where five people lost their lives. “Today, I too am Parisian,” said the Secretary-General sitting inside the café, with Mayor Hidalgo and other top UN officials.

“I am very moved. To the families and loved ones of the five people who were killed here, and to all the victims of the barbaric attacks on 13 November, I present my sincere condolences.”

Drinking a coffee, he said Paris is a symbol of culture and of the 'art of living', and noted that the reopening of the café ten days ago is also symbol of resistance to terror. 

“In this regard, the Government of France's decision to maintain the UN climate change conference shows its determination to uphold the values of the United Nations: liberty, peace, equality and justice,” he said.

Moved by the Secretary-General's presence, a group of Parisians thanked the Secretary-General for his heart-warming visit.

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Photo Credits

• UN Photos/Eskinder Debebe