Condemning latest attack, UN chief urges calm on Korean peninsula
23 November 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for restraint after today’s artillery attack by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Yeongpyeong Island, located near its coastline in the Yellow Sea and belonging to the Republic of Korea (ROK).
According to media reports, ROK authorities said their troops returned fire after the DPRK fired dozens of artillery shells at its island – killing two marines and wounding several people – and has placed its military on its highest non-wartime alert following the incident. Pyongyang has reportedly accused the ROK of firing first, while Seoul said it had been conducting exercises but directed shelling away from its northern neighbour.
The Secretary-General condemned the attack, which he described as “one of the gravest incidents since the end of the Korean War,” his spokesperson said in a
statement.
“The Secretary-General insists that any differences should be resolved by peaceful means and dialogue,” the statement said, adding that Mr. Ban has conveyed his “utmost” concern to the President of the UN Security Council.
In July, the Council condemned the sinking of an ROK naval vessel that took place in March, in which 46 people died, stressing the need to prevent further attacks both against the East Asian nation and in the region. The findings of an international investigative report released by Seoul concluded that the vessel was hit by a torpedo launched by DPRK.
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UN officials welcome release of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi
13 November 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations human rights chief welcomed the freeing on Saturday of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and urged the authorities in Myanmar to release all remaining political prisoners.
Ms. Suu Kyi, the head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, had been under house arrest for much of the past two decades. Her release comes one week after the South-east Asian nation held its first elections in 20 years.
“Her dignity and courage in the face of injustice have been an inspiration to many people around the world, including the Secretary-General, who has long advocated her freedom,” Mr. Ban's spokesperson said in a
statement.
“The Secretary-General expects that no further restrictions will be placed on her, and he urges the Myanmar authorities to build on today's action by releasing all remaining political prisoners.”
The statement also noted that it was “deeply regrettable” that Ms. Suu Kyi was effectively excluded from participating in the recent elections.
“Democracy and national reconciliation require that all citizens of Myanmar are free to participate as they wish in the political life of their country.”
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called Ms. Suu Kyi's release a “positive signal” that the Myanmar authorities are willing to move forward with the serious challenge of democratic transition.
“Clearly, Aung San Suu Kyi can make a major contribution to this process,” Ms. Pillay stated, adding that she remained “extremely disappointed” that the pro-democracy leader was not released before the elections.
The High Commissioner urged the authorities to now release the other 2,200 political prisoners as “a clear sign that the new Government intends to respect human rights and forge a new future for the country.”