WASHINGTON DC / BAN KI-MOON

In a statement today in Washington DC, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that the Security Council resolution adopted on wide-ranging sanctions and a referral to the International Criminal Court "in itself is without precedent--a clear declaration of principle with unmistakable consequence:gross violations of human rights will not be tolerated, those responsible will be punished. UN FOUNDATION

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 28 February 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION - UNF
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; PEACE AND SECURITY; POLITICAL CONDITIONS
• MAMS Id: U110228k

Description

STORY: WASHINGTON DC / BAN KI-MOON
TRT: 2.39
SOURCE: UN FOUNDATION
RESTRICTION: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 28 FEBRUARY 2011, WASHINGTON DC.

Shotlist

28 FEBRUARY 2011, HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, WASHINGTON DC.

1.Wide shot, Ban Ki-moon and delegation entering the Holocaust Museum
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The winds of change are sweeping the Middle East and North Africa. From Tunisia and Egypt, Bahrain to Yemen and beyond, the region’s people are demanding new rights and new freedoms. From the beginning, I have called on leaders in the region to heed the voices of their people to respect their right of free speech and free assembly.”
3. Cutaway, Ban Ki-moon at the Holocaust Museum
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Over the weekend, the UN Security Council met in emergency session. Unanimously, it adopted a wide-ranging resolution imposing an arms embargo and sanctions and referring the situation to the International Criminal Court. This in itself is without precedent -- a clear declaration of principle with unmistakable consequence: Gross violations of human rights will not be tolerated; those responsible will be punished. Tough as these measures are, however, further action may well be necessary.”
5. Cutaway, Ban Ki-moon standing by the eternal flame at Hall of Remembrance
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations:
“Earlier this afternoon, President Obama and I discussed options before us. I thanked the President for his firm and decisive leadership. We agreed that the international community must stand firmly together during this historic transition toward a more democratic, secure and prosperous Middle East. For my part, I will continue to consult widely with world leaders on our next steps. I commend the Human Rights Council for its unanimous recommendation to suspend Libya until the violence stops. I welcome its call for an independent international investigation. And I urge all Member States of the United Nations to act decisively in the General Assembly tomorrow.”
7. Med shot, Ban Ki-moon lighting a candle at the at the Hall of Remembrance

Storyline

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Washington today (28 February) to meet United States (US) President Barack Obama and visit the Holocaust Museum.

While at the Museum, Ban said that from Tunisia and Egypt, Bahrain to Yemen and beyond, the region’s people were demanding new rights and new freedoms.

On Saturday (26 February) the Security Council voted unanimously to impose sanctions against the Libyan authorities, slapping the country with an arms embargo and freezing the assets of its leaders, while referring the ongoing violent repression of civilian demonstrators to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Ban said that that in itself was without precedent “a clear declaration of principle with unmistakable consequence: Gross violations of human rights will not be tolerated; those responsible will be punished. Tough as these measures are, however, further action may well be necessary.”

Earlier in the day, Ban and Obama discussed diplomatic and legal action needed to end the violence against civilians in Libya. They also discussed ways to ensure humanitarian assistance for the Libyan people.

Ban said that both he and President Obama agreed that the international community “must stand firmly together during this historic transition toward a more democratic, secure and prosperous Middle East."

He said he would continue to consult widely with world leaders on the next steps, and commended the Human Rights Council for its unanimous recommendation to suspend Libya until the violence stops. “I welcome its call for an independent international investigation. And I urge all Member States of the United Nations to act decisively in the General Assembly tomorrow,” Ban said.

Other than Libya, Ban Ki-moon and Obama talked about the pressing needs in Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan, where lives are also at stake and the UN is leading efforts for peaceful solutions.