“First and foremost, we wish to express our condolences to the victims and their relatives”, stated CESI President Wolff. “However, beyond the human tragedy this event has caused, the impact of this attack is practically impossible to measure. The Republic of France and the entire democratic world has been shaken at its very foundations. Now, we must use all our strength to fight for the maintenance of our values of freedom.”

Secretary General Heeger pointed to the specific meaning of this event for trade unions: “Special protection must also be provided to those whose role it is to defend our freedom and democracy. Of course, this includes above all the press, in its role as the personification of a pluralistic society and freedom of opinion. However, security forces and law enforcement bodies must also be supported without reservations in their fight against terrorism”.

According to Heeger, the challenges for security forces and law enforcement bodies are tremendous: fighting radicalised anti-democratic forces while at the same time resisting populist, xenophobic and racist movements in society demands unconditional belief in and commitment to our fundamental values. And not least full support from society.

If this balance is not achieved at the end of the day, the ones who want to remove our model based on values of freedom will have won, the President and the Secretary General warned.