Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the killings in Charleston, South Carolina

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the apparently racially motivated killing of nine people in a historic African-American church in the US city of Charleston on 17 June.  He extends his deep condolences to the loved ones of the victims and his solidarity to the survivors.  He hopes the person or persons responsible for this hateful act of violence will be swiftly brought to justice.