SG/SM/10113
21 September 2005

Secretary-General Saddened by Death of Simon Wiesenthal

NEW YORK, 20 September (UN Headquarters) -- The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the death of Simon Wiesenthal.  Mr. Wiesenthal's efforts to pursue justice for the victims of the Holocaust sent an important message to the world that there should be no impunity for genocide and crimes against humanity.  His work through the Wiesenthal Center - an non-governmental organization accredited to both the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - to promote tolerance and fight anti-Semitism made significant contributions to the United Nations' own efforts in this area.  The Secretary-General sends his condolences to Mr. Wiesenthal's daughter and to all others who have been touched by this loss.

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