–As World Leaders Rap up General Assembly session, Gun-wielding police in face up with placard-bearing protesters urging action over anti-Islam Video
That was the sing-song slogan which came from protesters who, numbering about two hundred, gathered in front of the United Nations Headquarters on the last day of the 67th United Nations General Assembly session, brandishing placards, pacing back and forth– as they called out the UN Secretary General’s name urging him to personally push the US government to get the controversial anti-islam Youtube video dropped from cyberspace, and take action to prevent its future recurrence.
Unbeknownst to the protesters, Ban Ki Moon, who was present at the top security Headquarters–tucked in the inner sanctum of his office in one-on-one meetings with some delegates, had on the first day of the sessions, repudiated the video, and reprimanded the ensuing attacks including that of the US Embassy in Libya, which claimed the life of its Ambassador Chris Stevens.
“We are living through a period of unease. We are also seeing incidents of intolerance and hatred that are then exploited by others. Voices of moderation and calm need to make themselves heard at this time. We all need to speak up in favour of mutual respect and understanding of the values and beliefs of others,” Mr. Ban said. “The United Nations must rise to the moment.”
But if taking down the video and curbing any future re-post on cyberspace was what drove the protesters to picket the UN, they are in for a “ride”.
US President Barack Obama, who had also condemned the video before the UN sessions, did not mince words in defending freedom of expression—explaining the innocence of his government, highlighting the need for dialogue rather than violence as a means to address “our concerns”.
“The attacks of the last two weeks are not simply an assault on America. They are also an assault on the very ideals upon which the United Nations was founded – the notion that people can resolve their differences peacefully; that diplomacy can take the place of war; and that in an interdependent world, all of us have a stake in working towards greater opportunity and security for our citizens.’’ He told the world leaders during the opening of the debate session.
During the last few days, heads of states from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirate, also addressed the session, each urging respect for religion while calling for tolerance of others opinion—emphasizing on dialogue as the only means to maintain peace and security among member states.