Statement

Break the Cycle of Violence and Revenge:

An Appeal for Response Based on Legal Principles

September 20th, 2001

On September 11, there were terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon by the apparently hijacked aircrafts. These inhumane acts of indiscriminate terrorism are never to be tolerated, and we need to confront it with a resolute attitude.

We strongly condemn the perpetrators, and would like to express our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the victims and their families.

The United States has called upon military retaliation on the organizations that are alleged to have protected the terrorists. However, the cycle of violence and revenge will nurture more terrorism, leading to endless retaliatory acts. Any military retaliation not based on the principles of international law may defeat the cause to end the terrorism.

We believe that to stand against the threats to our civil societies, it is most effective if strict justice is brought and the responsibilities are clarified, based on the legal principles such as the ones defined in the UN system.

We sincerely hope that there will be a sober and rational response based on the principles of law, in order to end despicable indiscriminate terrorism in the future.

Coalition of Citizens and Suprapartisan Members of the Congress Reflecting on Terrorist Attacks in the U.S.