Rare moment to end violence in Syria, says UN chief
Ban renews sense of urgency to find a solution to Syria’s civil war
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says G20 members must move beyond differences as no country is immune from terrorism. Also says response to “barbaric” attacks in Paris must be “robust but follow rule of law”
UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said he will soon present to member states a comprehensive joint plan of action to prevent terrorism and called for a robust action to combat the threat.
“We need to address the underline drivers of violent extremism,” the UN secretary-general said at a news conference during the Group of 20 (G20) meeting of world leaders here in the Turkish seaside resort.
He welcomed the renewed sense of urgency to find a solution to the civil war in Syria after the Paris attacks, saying the world had a “rare moment” of diplomatic opportunity to end the violence.
“I urge the participants to move beyond their differences so that they can push for a nationwide ceasefire,” Ban said. “After years of division this is a rare moment of diplomatic opportunity to end the violence.”
Terrorists, he said, have continued to commit the atrocious acts across the world. “Their inhumanity is clear. Their ideologies are bankrupt... those who claim to be acting in the name of religion are only harming their religion.”
He stressed that the response to these have to be robust and “within the rule”, “respecting human rights otherwise we will only fan the fight we are trying to protect.”
“We also need to address the underline drivers of violent extremism. I will soon present to the members states of the United Nations a comprehensive plan of action to prevent violent extremism. At this time of heightened tension, I caution against the action that will only perpetrate the cycle of extremism and violance,” he said.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also called on the UN to define terrorism before it is too late so that it becomes clear who is siding with terrorism and who is fighting the menace.
He had urged UN member states to pass the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the earliest.
The secretary-general described Friday’s Paris attacks as ‘barbaric’, saying no country or city was immune from the threat of terrorism and the world needed a robust response.
Reaching a political settlement in Syria should be a top priority.
“This is not only a crisis of numbers. It is a crisis of global solidarity,” Ban said on the refuge crisis and asked European countries not to reduce humanitarian aid.
‘Will present plan to prevent terror’
Their (terrorists’) inhumanity is clear. Their ideologies are bankrupt... those who claim to be acting in the name of religion are only harming their religion.
BAN KI-MOON, UN secretary-general