- Title: PERU: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon defends immigrants
- Date: 16th February 2011
- Summary: LIMA, PERU (FEBRUARY 15, 2011) (REUTERS) GUARDS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON MILITARY HONORS PERUVIAN PRESIDENT ALAN GARCIA GREETING BAN KI-MOON GARCIA AND BAN KI-MOON ENTERING GOVERNMENT HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) UN SECRETARY GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON, SAYING: "Regardless of where, around the world, the leaders should more attentively listen to the voices of their people, what are their aspirations, what are their concerns, how they can meet their promises, political promises when they were elected, when they were mandated by the people for the well-being of people, for the democracy, a more participatory democracy. This is a fundamental principle of a democracy." JOURNALISTS LOOKING ON SOUNDBITE (English) BAN KI-MOON, SAYING: "Speaking about the elections in Haiti after a political controversy I am pleased to see that the second round of presidential elections is going to take place on March 20. Haiti has suffered too much, from the earthquake last year as well as the spread of the cholera epidemic, it is now time, the right time for the Haitian people and government to overcome these tragedies and through this very fair and credible election in March, I hope they will be able to build their country and enjoy genuine democracy and freedoms." PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES SOUNDBITE (English) BAN SAYING: "As the Secretary-General, it is very important that basic human rights of those migrants, they should be fully guaranteed. There may be some domestic difficulties and challenges, I know that when a country has to accommodate illegal migrants, unwanted migrants, but even under such circumstances, their basic human rights should be fully guaranteed and respected." NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING
- Embargoed: 3rd March 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Peru, Peru
- Country: Peru
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAAVXXAFH0WSY36ZD3YJM0A4CMJ
- Story Text: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Peru on Tuesday (February 15) where he urged leaders around the world to pay attention to the voices of their people.
A military ceremony welcomed Ban to government house in Lima, where he held a meeting with Peru's President Alan Garcia.
Ban's visit came on the heels of massive protests in Egypt that eventually drove out President Hosni Mubarak. He said democracies needed to listen more attentively to the needs of the people.
"Regardless of where, around the world, the leaders should more attentively listen to the voices of their people, what are their aspirations, what are their concerns, how they can meet their promises, political promises when they were elected, when they were mandated by the people for the well-being of people, for the democracy, a more participatory democracy. This is a fundamental principle of a democracy," he said.
He added he hoped Haiti would be able to build a democracy after being devastated by an earthquake and subsequent social and political unrest.
"Speaking about the elections in Haiti after a political controversy I am pleased to see that the second round of presidential elections is going to take place on March 20. Haiti has suffered too much, from the earthquake last year as well as the spread of the cholera epidemic, it is now time, the right time for the Haitian people and government to overcome these tragedies and through this very fair and credible election in March, I hope they will be able to build their country and enjoy genuine democracy and freedoms," the secretary-general said.
Ban also asked governments to respect the rights of immigrants.
"As the Secretary-General, it is very important that basic human rights of those migrants, they should be fully guaranteed. There may be some domestic difficulties and challenges, I know that when a country has to accommodate illegal migrants, unwanted migrants, but even under such circumstances, their basic human rights should be fully guaranteed and respected," he said.
Ban didn't refer to specific nations, but his comments came after the arrival of 5,000 Africans immigrants prompted Italy's right wing government to ask that European nations take more strict measures to prevent immigration. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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