In the presence of the Secretary-General, the United States and the Sweden Missions to the United Nations unveiled a sculpture in memory of Michael Sharp and Zaida Catalán, UN experts abducted and murdered in March 2017 while investigating allegations of mass graves following fighting between government forces and a militia group in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“Zaida and Michael devoted their lives to advancing human rights and humanitarian action, and to supporting vulnerable people,” said Secretary-General António Guterres. “Their murder was a heinous crime.”
Ann Linde, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, and Anna Karin Eneström, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations, were joined by United States Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis to deliver remarks on the occasion.
“The recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in the DRC remind us of the risk that UN personnel take on a daily basis in their efforts to promote peace and stability in conflict areas,” said Ms. Linde.
“We hope that this artwork will serve to remember Zaida and Michael, and as an inspiration to others working for the UN and beyond.”
The glass sculpture Abused Ammunition was created “to honour the legacy of Michael and Zaida, who exemplified compassion and courage and a commitment to the ideals of the United Nations” said Mr. DeLaurentis.
“Mankind doesn’t seem to care, but this bullet is crying because of all the killing it has to take part in,” said Swedish glass artist Thommy Bremberg, referring to his sculpture.
The sculpture is part of the permanent disarmament exhibit at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
