Statement read out at today’s daily UN press briefing by Martin Nesisky, spokesman of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
We were asked yesterday about Professor Richard Falk’s latest commentary. I can tell you the Secretary-General has seen the commentary and he has been briefed on it. The Secretary-General rejects Mr. Falk’s comments. The Secretary-General immediately condemned the Boston Marathon bombing and he strongly believes that nothing can justify such an attack. Professor Falk is appointed by the Member States of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, not by the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General is hopeful that Special Rapporteurs such as Mr. Falk understand that – while they have independent status – their public comments can undermine the credibility and the workof the United Nations.
