to Joakim Dunkel

Joakim Dunkel was one of the 7 UN workers who died on the 1st of April in Afganistan, after demonstrations were held outside the UN Compound in Mazar-i-Sharif. The demonstrations are said to be caused by the burning of a Quran in Florida. A complete idiot's intolerant action, at the other side of the world, offended a whole nation and many more and let to the killing of 12 people.

I will not comment on the global effects of racism, discrimination and in this case, religious intolerance that are exhibited every day. I simply cannot understand how someone can be so oblivious. When the same person threatened to burn the Quran a few months ago, there was a huge outcry from the world, prohibiting him to do so. But he went ahead and did it, and published it for the world to know, causing reactions, peaceful gatherings that turned into violent demonstrations.. and who is to blame for that? The religious group this person is leading denies responsibility. And not surprisingly so.

The responsibility lies on many but the results remain unchanged. 12 UN workers are dead. 1 Swede, 1 Norwegian, 1 Romanian and 4 Nepali security guards.


I refer to one of them to honor them all. Joakim Dunker was a Human Rights Officer. And he died on duty, defending human rights, in a country where poverty, violence and repression make human rights a completely unknown term. In a destroyed country that most of us would not even imagine going near, he was there, day after day, trying to find ways to make human rights tangible and accessible to the citizens.

You dont become a UN worker for the money nor for the fame. Otherwise you would try your luck in big companies, or in the entertainment world. It takes a very specific kind of person to become an aid worker. It takes curiosity, intelligence, love for travelling as well as for people, defiance of danger and a very big willingness to do good, to change the world even.

Joakin represents all the field workers who have died while doing their jobs in dangerous posts. Those are people with courage and dignity that die anonymously and deserve to be remembered for their actions.

Joakim, I know that you did not die in vain. Your death has showed us the despicable results of hatred and intolerance and we are learning from your loss. The way you lived and the way you died are an inspiration for all of us, to keep fighting the good fight, to keep believing in a better world.

Thank you and may you rest in peace.