2 September 2013

Ban Ki-moon notes shared responsibility to protect rights and freedoms

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon echoed the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in his 2013 Freedom Lecture delivered at Leiden University on the anniversary of Mr. King’s ‘I have a dream speech’ on 28 August, noting that Mr. King had presented a common future with shared responsibilities.

Mr. Ban, quoting a passage from Mr. King’s speech where he emphasised that ‘their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom’, stated that this understanding was even truer today as our freedoms, possibilities and perils today are linked like never before. Mr. Ban also emphasised the interdependency between development, peace and security and human rights, and encouraged world leaders to make sure no person is left behind.

Source: UN News Centre | In university lecture, Ban notes shared responsibility to protect rights, freedoms