Brussels, 26/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 25 January, the European Union called for the “immediate” release of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto, who is being held by Islamic State (IS). “The beheading of [the other Japanese hostage] Haruna Yukawa (…) is yet another demonstration that this organisation's ideology and actions are in breach of all universally recognised values and rights”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release. IS claimed the death of Yukawa on 25 January.
Underlining the EU's solidarity with the families of these hostages and Japanese people, “in this time of pain”, Mogherini added that the EU was “more committed than ever to supporting international efforts to fight all the terrorist groups that endanger human lives as well as global stability”. “Together with international and regional partners, the EU will spare no effort to ensure that an end is put to this terrorist campaign and all perpetrators are brought to justice”, she warned. (CG)