A Temple, as a place of individual and collective worship, should be considered by everyone as a place of recollection and welcome, of freedom and security, of respect and peace. Every human life is still more precious. There is no justification whatsoever for an attack on the life, freedom and security of any human being on account of their faith, just as there is no justification for an attack on a group of believers gathered together in the exercise of their faith.
The AIDLR expresses its condolences to the families of the victims of this shooting and wishes all those who were injured a full physical and psychological recovery. It also expresses its solidarity with the local Jehovah's Witnesses community, wishing them the courage to continue practicing and expressing their faith, as well as with all religious communities that, through this crime, also feel threatened.
We call on all actors to continue their efforts in favor of religious freedom, and, through it, peace and security for all believing and non-believing citizens, namely through education for freedom and tolerance and the defense of the security of places of worship, indispensable bulwarks of freedom of conscience, worship and religion.
Paulo Macedo
Secretary-General