UN chief concerned over exercise of hate speech ahead of Myanmar election

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Monday 02 Nov 2015 - 11:23 Makkah mean time-20-1-1437 Pic: UN News Center New York (IINA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday expressed deep concern at the continuous resort to hate speech, provocation of communal hostilities and the abuse of religion for political purposes, incited by “extreme element among the majority community in Myanmar”. “With the approaching elections on November 8, he urges all concerned in Myanmar to eschew any kind of pressure, intimidation, dissemination of hatred or violence against individuals or organizations based on their ethnic identity, gender, religious persuasion or political views,” said a statement issued by the Secretary-General's spokesperson in New York. Ban noted the antagonism displayed in certain quarters against international organizations, including the United Nations. “He is concerned that continued impunity for such behavior could gravely damage the international image of the country,” said the statement. Additionally, the UN chief deplored the particularly the vulgar remarks recently directed, not for the first time, against the UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee, for carrying out her mandate. “The Secretary General has addressed a letter to President U Thein Sein expressing his full confidence in and support for the important work being done by Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee,” the statement added. AB/IINA