On the International Day of Tolerance (Nov. 16) Ban Ki-moon, while lamenting about the current state of the world stricken with ‘extremism, radicalism and widening conflicts’ characterized by a ‘fundamental disregard for human life’, pointed to the number of displaced people by fighting and said, “innocent lives are being lost in senseless clashes around the world. The youngest victims are robbed of their childhoods, conscripted and abused, or even kidnapped simply for wanting an education.”

He also noted that a growing hostility and discrimination exists towards people crossing borders in search of asylum and added, “hate crimes and other forms of intolerance mar too many communities, often stoked by irresponsible leaders seeking political gain.”

The UN Secretary-General urged the world leaders to protect people from persecution and to encourage tolerance for all regardless of nationality, religion, language, race, sexuality or any other distinction that obscures the common humanity.

He marked the International Day of Tolerance as an ‘opportunity to reaffirm commitment to work for the recognition and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms’.

Ban Ki-moon called on all people and governments to ‘actively combat fear, hatred and extremism with dialogue, understanding and mutual respect’, and unite against division for a shared future.

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