Reactions to the November 2015 Paris attacks

Main article: November 2015 Paris attacks

File:Sydney Opera House French Tricolour.jpg

The Sydney Opera House in Sydney (left) and the Sky Tower in Auckland (right) displaying the Tricolour of France the night after the attacks.

Many international leaders, governments and organisations issued statements in response to the 13 November 2015 Paris attacks

Popular reactions

See also: Je Suis Charlie

File:Peace for Paris.svg

The peace icon of the hashtags #PeaceForParis and #PrayForParis

In the hours after the attack, some Parisians used social media, in particular the Twitter hashtag #PorteOuverte (French for "#OpenDoor"), to offer overnight shelter to strangers stranded by the attacks. The hashtag trended worldwide. Other hashtags, #PeaceForParis and #PrayForParis, also trended worldwide, along with a "Peace" icon by Jean Jullien that featured an Eiffel Tower sketch.

French foreign exchange students gathered in Union Square in New York City where they lit candles and sang La Marseillaise. Candle-light vigils were held in Sydney.

Following the attacks, multiple landmark structures around the world were lit in the colours of the French flag, including the spire of One World Trade Center in New York City, Tower Bridge in London, the San Francisco Civic Center, the CN Tower in Toronto, the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, the Ostankino Tower in Moscow, and the Wembley Stadium arch in London.

At the 800th annual Lord Mayor's Show in London a two-minute silence was held with flags at half-mast while fireworks were cancelled. Two separate vigils were held in Trafalgar Square, with other vigils being held around England, including Liverpool.

The morning after the attacks a man arrived outside the Bataclan on a bicycle, and played a rendition of the John Lennon song "Imagine" on a piano. A crowd gathered, along with several cameramen, and applauded the performance.

Government reactions

Countries

• Albania: President Bujar Nishani and the prime minister Edi Rama express their condolences to the Government of France.
• Andorra: In a letter to the President of France, who also serves as Co-Prince of Andorra, the Prime Minister and Receiver General strongly condemned the attacks and expressed their solidarity with the French people. Flags were flown at half-mast
• Australia: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressed solidarity with France saying “In France and Australia, all around the world, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France and with all free peoples in the battle against terrorism,”. He condemned the attacks saying that "A threat in the name of God, but (it) is truthfully the work of the devil". In light of the attacks Turnbull also added that Australian authorities do not believe that there are any impending terrorist attacks on Australian soil to justify raising of the terror threat alert level in the country, but he was quick to reassure the safety of Australians both at home and abroad.
• Belgium: King Philippe expressed the solidarity of Belgium with the French people and the families of the victims of these "heinous acts".
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a statement condemning the attacks and stating that "this vile, cowardly and mindless attack isn't just an attack on Paris and France, but an attack on all of humanity and the concept of democracy." They also added that stopping these attacks can only be done by being united and working together.
• Brazil: President Dilma Rousseff said, via Twitter, was "appalled by the terrorist barbarity" and repudiated the terrorist attacks. The Ministry of External Relations of Brazil (Itamaraty) in a statement expressed "deep regret" the Brazilian government, conveyed condolences to the relatives of victims and declared solidarity with the French people and Government of France. Brazilian citizens who are in France, are getting Consulate General of Brazil in support of Paris, through a phone.
• Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed solidarity with Canada's "French cousins" and said Canada offered all possible assistance to the government of France in wake of the attacks. "We have offered all of our help and support to the government of France, to the people of France at this time. And we'll continue to engage with our allies around the world in ensuring the safety of Canadians and others both here at home and around the world."
• China: Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius that China is willing to cooperate with France against terrorism which he describes as "the cancer of society". Wang said that China was "shocked" and condemns the attacks. He also added that China mourns for those killed in the attacks, expresses condolences to the families of people who were killed and injured due to the attacks.
• Croatia: President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović stated on her official Twitter account that she is "shocked" by the attacks and "deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives." She added that the people of Croatia stand with the people of France. Prime Minister Zoran Milanović called a news conference on 14 November and stated that Croatian security forces and agencies were on high alert. He also stated that he does not link the attacks to the European migrant crisis, with Croatia being the main transit country for entry into Schengen.
• Cuba: President Raúl Castro, on learning of the terrorist attacks, wrote to President Hollande to express his condolences on behalf of the people and government of Cuba.
• Czech Republic: Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka sent condolences to his French counterpart Manuel Valls saying "he was shocked by the brutality of the terrorist attacks carried in Paris and it has filled his heart with deep sorrow". He expressed solidarity and symphaties of the Czech Republic and offered France all the necessary cooperation. Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek expressed, on Twitter, support to the French president. He noted that such violence must be punished and we must not give up our lives and civilization we have built. President Miloš Zeman and Prime Minister Sobotka visited the French embassy in Prague, where they laid flowers and paid tribute.
• Germany: German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered her condolences to the French people, saying: "We, your German friends, we feel so close to you. We are crying with you." President Joachim Gauck said during a speech at Schloss Bellevue: "The grief does not stop at the Rhine. [...] But the terrorists will not have the last word. That night will not have the last word."
• Greece: Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed condolences to president Hollande. In a public statement the day following the attacks, the Greek PM said: "Last night’s bloody terrorist attack in Paris was a blind but targeted strike. It was a blow against Europe, home of Democracy and freedom, a blow against multiculturalism." The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following announcement: "The Greek people as a whole are shocked at the cowardly, deadly terrorist attacks that took place a short while ago in Paris. These attacks are attacks not only against France, but also against the whole of the civilized world and democracy itself."
• Hungary: Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared Sunday as a national day of mourning on state television, as an expression of solidarity with the French people.
• India: While visiting London Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated "News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour". while head of state President Pranab Mukherjee strongly condemned the attacks and stated that "India stands firmly by France, my heart goes out to its people"
• Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences in the terror attack that happened. He also ordered that the Israeli flag should be in half-mast. He said: "“Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with President Francois Hollande and with the French people in the war against terrorism. I send condolences on behalf of the Israeli people to the families of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." PM Netanyahu also ordered security forces to tighten security.
• Iran: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed condolence to France and its people following the attacks and said that he condemns “terrorist operations at any forms” saying that Iran as a victim of terrorist attacks has been against all forms activities related to terrorism. He also added that Iran believes that terrorism and extremism is a threat not just limited in the Middle East region and urged anti-terrorism efforts not to be restricted to the region. President Hassan Rouhani has also postponed his visit to Italy and France due to the attacks and also strongly condemned the incident describing the attacks as crimes against humanity and expressed condolence to the French people and government.
• Ireland: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny in a statement "Once again we are witnessing carnage on the streets of Paris. Again the capital is suffering at the hands of those who seek only to wreak havoc and destruction on civil society. My thoughts and those of all the Irish people are with the French people this evening. As ever we stand as one with them and will never bend to the evil of terrorism." He added on his official Twitter account: "This is a shocking attack on humanity. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families. We stand with France tonight." President Michael D. Higgins said he was shocked to learn of the unfolding events, "On behalf of the Irish people and on my own behalf I offer deepest sympathy through president Hollande to the people of France on this dreadful loss of life and appalling injuries."
• Japan: Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga condemned the attacks, telling reporters that he felt "strong shock and outrage" to the attacks which he describes as “cruel and extremely cowardly acts of terrorism.” Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said that Japan intends to cooperate with France in an ongoing "international fight" against terrorism. He also added that Japan stands with France. Security was boosted in locations related to French interests in Tokyo and other places in Japan such as the French Embassy in Tokyo.
• Mexico: President Enrique Peña Nieto condemned the attacks through Twitter and sent condolences to the French people and the victims' families. He stated that the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs was working with French officials to assist any Mexican nationals in need of assistance in Paris.
• Netherlands: Prime Minister Mark Rutte responded in the evening of the attacks that he was shocked. "Our thoughts are by the victims and their relatives.This is disgraceful, the whole nation empathizes with France. France can count on our support."
• Nepal: Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli condemned the attack through Twitter and offered condolences to the French President.
• New Zealand: Prime Minister John Key expressed his condolences to the victims "our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts with them and their families" and pledged that New Zealand would stand with France in the fight against terrorism
• Pakistan: The Foreign Office of Pakistan strongly condemned the attacks and issued the following statement: "The people and government of Pakistan strongly condemn the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris. We stand with them in their hour of grief. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured".
• Poland: Polish President Andrzej Duda declared his grief and solidarity over the attacks. Polish European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymanski stated Poland renounces EU refugee relocation scheme in wake of the attacks.
• Philippines: Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte issued a statement condemning the attacks that "showed not only premeditation but the cruelty that demands the greatest indignation from the world" and said that the Philippines mourns and stands shoulder to shoulder with France. Valte also urged Filipinos in Paris to cooperate with local authorities and said that the Department of Foreign Affairs through its embassy in Paris has been monitoring the situation. President Benigno Aquino III echoed Valte's statements expressing solidarity mentioning that France has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Philippines following the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Foreign Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said to Agence France-Presse reporters on November 14, that the attacks on Paris has prompted the organizers to impose "higher security" measures for the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to be held from 18–19 November 2015 in Manila.
• Romania: Romanian president Klaus Iohannis expressed his regrets about the incident and his sympathy with the French people, also calling for more determination in fighting terrorism. Other Romanian politicians also expressed solidarity with France and The French embassy in Bucharest opened an online condoleance log on their website.
• Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences and words of solidarity to French President Francois Hollande and the French people, as well as the families and friends of the victims "in connection with the death of a large number of peaceful citizens in an unprecedented series of terrorist acts in Paris". The tragedy was an "additional proof of the barbaric nature of terrorism that is posing a challenge to human civilisation", he stressed. Dmitry Medvedev, the Prime Minister of Russia, expressed condolences on behalf of the government and personally to his French counterpart Manuel Valls, calling to unite in the fight against extremism.
• Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan President H.E Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister H.E Ranil Wickramasinghe condemned the terrorist attack and conveyed the condolences to the people of France, as a country which suffered terrorist attacks in the past, they called International community to fight against terrorism.
• Turkey: The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said "Turkey knows very well the meaning of terror and its results. We are sharing the pain of both President Hollande and the French people, and I extend my condolences to our French friends." Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu expressed his condolences and added "These attacks are not only aimed at the French people, but also democracy, freedom and universal values; terror has no religion, nation nor any value it represents."
• Ukraine: President Petro Poroshenko said he was "shocked" and and feels "solidarity with people of France", noticing that "terrorism is our common enemy". Later he layed fllowers near the French embassy in Kiev, as well as prime minister Arseniy Yatseniuk and other cabinet members.
• United Kingdom: Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "shocked" by the "horrifying and sickening" attack, and pledged that the UK and France would stand together "in sorrow, but unbowed" while Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn cancelled a planned speech in response to the attacks, which he described as "heinous and immoral" and said "We stand in solidarity with the French" The Union Jack was flown at half-mast alongside French tricolour also flying at half-mast above 10 Downing Street and many other government buildings The Mayor of London, who described Paris as a "sister city" wrote to his counterpart to convey the "shock and grief of millions of Londoners"
  • Northern Ireland: The First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, respectivley, described the attacks as "heartbreaking" and "shocking"
  • Scotland: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the French consulate in Edinburgh to sign a book of condolence and wrote on Twitter that "The thoughts and prayers of Scotland are with the people of France tonight"
  • Wales: First Minister Carwyn Jones described the events as "awful" and postponed a reception for the Welsh football team as a "mark of respect"
• United States: President Barack Obama stated that the attacks were not just attacks on Paris and people of France, but were "an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share".

International organisations and figures

• Commonwealth of Nations: Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General stated ""My heart goes out to all those who have been touched by this unspeakable tragedy..The Commonwealth stands in solidarity will all democracies in the face of violent extremism. Everyone who believes in tolerance, understanding and the rule of law must stand united against those who would destroy these treasured values"
  • Commonwealth realms: Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to the President of France saying "Prince Philip and I have been deeply shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life in Paris. We send our most sincere condolences to you, the families of those who have died and the French people."

• Council of Europe: Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland expressed his "shock at the horrific attacks" and pledged that "Europe will stand strong in defending our common values"

• European Union: President of the European Council Donald Tusk wrote to President Hollande expressing his belief that the attacks were "an outrage against France, and against Europe as a whole" and pledged the European Union would stand in solidarity with France. Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, condemned the attacks, saying: "At this terrible moment our thoughts and sympathy are with the families and friends of the victims, together with the French authorities and with all French citizens. [...] Yesterday, Paris was brutally attacked for the second time in less than a year. Terrorists wanted to target the core of western civilisation, its values and its people. [...] However, Europe stands united in the fight against terrorism, in our resolve to track down the networks and all those who contributed to organise these evil acts and bring them to justice. Our commitment to defend our values of freedom, equality, democracy and the rule of law is as strong as ever."

• United Nations: Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the attacks on Paris, calling them "despicable" and stating that he trusted the French authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. Ban also extended his condolences to families of the victims and wished a quick recovery to those where were injured. In a separate statement the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council also condemned the "barbaric and cowardly" attacks on civiliian.

• UNASUR: Secretary General Ernesto Samper said that "terrorism is a global epidemic that must be fought with universal solidarity with the victims". In a statement, the organization says that South America expressed its "dismay at this barbarism" that took place in Paris, and provides "solidarity" to the French people.