Good Governance Is What Really Kills Terrorism - UN Sec-Gen

By Manik Mehta NEW YORK, April 25 (Bernama) -- While missiles may kill terrorists, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is convinced that good governance is what really kills terrorism. "Speak out against human rights breaches and social injustice wherever they are encountered. "Stand up for the collective good and amplify your voices in support of moderation and mutual understanding," he told a gathering of inter-faith leaders attending a two-day meeting in the United Nations General Assembly recently. The leaders represented diverse faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as well as ministers, academics and spiritual teachers. However, the UN chief also expressed fears of an "empathy gap" which was causing people to turn their eye away from injustice and numbing them to atrocities. "At a time when we are seeing so much division and hatred, I want to bring people together under the banner of the United Nations to explore how best to respond," Ban told the gathering at the UN headquarters in New York. The UN secretary-general spoke of his "deep concern" over communities rushing to conclude an affront was afoot against them, but tended to ignore or even dismiss the legitimate grievances of others. "I am worried that a certain numbness and helplessness may be setting in as people witness atrocity after atrocity," he said. In a diplomatically-nuanced observation, Ban said it was not religion that caused violence but people. Stressing on the "dignity and worth of the human person, equal rights of men and women, tolerance and living together in harmony", he described such principles as "our bedrock and what this organisation stands for." He said those values were held in contempt by violent extremists and bankrupt ideologies, adding that such violent extremism transcended borders, with brutal acts being vividly committed by D’aesh, the so-called IS militants, Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram and other sectarian groups. Ban was speaking to the gathering at the High-Level Assembly meeting on Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation, Fostering Peaceful, Inclusive Societies and Countering Violent Extremism. Nevertheless, the secretary-general reminded that it was equally important to address the root causes of extremism. Abuses and indignities made individuals ripe for recruitment for sectarian and violent groups, he said, calling on leaders to ensure another way, a better way, which included equality, and promoting opportunities and upholding human rights. He also announced that later this year, he would present a UN Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, and urged faith leaders to raise their voice to counter the narrative of extremists. --BERNAMA