In General Assembly speech Secretary-General speaks out against intolerance

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressing General Assembly

World leaders have again gathered in New York for the annual general debate in the United Nations General Assembly.

In his address to the gathering, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sounded the alarm about the direction humanity is taking, listing concerns such as widespread insecurity, inequality and wasting of funds.

He said there will be no peace or development without respect for human rights and the rule of law.

"Over the past two weeks a disgraceful act of great insensitivity has led to justifiable offense and unjustifiable violence. Freedom of speech and assembly are fundamental. But neither of these freedoms is a license to incite or commit violence. Yet we live in a world where, too often, divisions are exploited for short-term political gain. Too many people are ready to take small flames of difference and turn them into a bonfire. Too many people are tolerant of intolerance." (Duration: 39")

Mr. Ban said people want progress and solutions, as well as ideas, leadership and concrete hope for the future. And they want to see results now, not in the future.

Filed under Today's News.
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