Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today renewed his call on Syrian leadership to end the ongoing bloodshed in the country.
Mr. Ban also stated that that the era of one-man rule and the perpetuation of family dynasties are crumbling.
“I say again to President Assad of Syria: Stop the violence. Stop killing your own people. The path of repression is a dead end.” -Mr. Ban
The United Nations says more than 5,000 people have been killed in Syria’s crackdown on protests which erupted against Assad in March, inspired by uprisings that toppled three Arab leaders last year.
Syria says 2,000 members of the government forces have been killed by “armed terrorists.”
The unrest along the ceasefire line is taking place as violence continues to escalate within Syria, where the Government continues its crackdown against pro-reform protests that are part of a broader uprising across North Africa and the Middle East.
At a High-Level Meeting on Reform and Transitions to Democracy, held in Beirut, Mr. Ban said that the “remarkable” events of the past year transformed the region and changed the world, and their lessons are clear.
“The winds of change will not cease to blow. The flame ignited in Tunisia will not be dimmed.” -Mr. Ban
He said the popular uprising in Tunisia brought down country’s president-for-life, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Tunisia’s revolution has sparked “the profound and dramatic changes” sweeping the Arab world, later described as “Arab Spring.”
“The old way, the old order, is crumbling – one-man rule and the perpetuation of family dynasties ? monopolies of wealth and power? the silencing of the media? the deprivation of fundamental freedoms that are the birthright of men, women and children on this planet.” -Mr. Ban
Mr. Ban cited four prerequisites for democracy to succeed in the Arab world: real and genuine reform, inclusive dialogue, ensuring that women are at the centre of the region’s future, and heeding the voices of the young.
Since the beginning of 2011, millions of people have participated in movements for democracy and better governance. Millions more have followed with intense interest as dramatic and often inspiring changes have been set in motion.
