The attacks on Utoya Island directed against young people attending a Norwegian Labour Party summer camp were a “horrific event” and “an attack on democracy itself”.
This is the view of Labour party presidential candidate and former Galway West TD Michael D Higgins, who formally offered his condolences to Norway’s First Secretary of Administrative and Consular Affairs, Carl Christopher Gjerpen, at the Norwegian Embassy yesterday afternoon. Mr Higgins will also sign a book of condolences for the victims.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Norway following this most horrific event,” said Mr Higgins. “With Norway’s admirable record in supporting international disarmament and working for peaceful conflict resolution, these events have caused great pain to the Norwegian people.”
Mr Higgins also praised the “strong moral and political response” of the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, along with the recent ‘Rose Parade’ in Oslo, to affirm the determination of Norwegians “to further deepen democracy and inclusion” and “extend their work for peace”.
“In this, Norway has offered a powerful example to the whole world,” said Mr Higgins. “Those of us in the wider family of Labour and all those committed to global peace offer our support and solidarity at this time.”
