"Terrible year" for UN principles says Ban Ki-moon


As the United Nations General Assembly began its annual general debate on Wednesday, the UN Secretary-General said it had been a terrible year for the principles enshrined in the organization's Charter.

Ban Ki-moon told world leaders gathered in New York that this year the "horizon of hope" had darkened.

He noted what he described as "unspeakable acts" and the deaths of innocent civilians.

He said not since the end of the Second World War have there been so many refugees, displaced people and asylum seekers, that the UN has had to support.

Secretary-General Ban called for leadership to bring hope to a world that he said may seem to be falling apart.

"It has been a terrible year for the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. From barrel bombs to be-headings, from the deliberate starvation of civilians to the assault on hospitals, UN shelters and aid convoys, human rights and the rule of law are under attack."

The Secretary-General said in Iraq and Syria, there have been what he called "new depths of barbarity" and a "devastating spill-over across the region".

SOURCE: Daniel Dickinson, United Nations