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8 October 2012 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged governments – in particular those undergoing transitions in North Africa and the Middle East – to meet the demands of their people and promote economic and social development.

“I have consistently urged leaders to stop flouting human rights and start meeting the legitimate demands of their people,” Mr. Ban said in his keynote address to the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, France.

“This is my message to leaders around the world, from President Assad of Syria to others who must listen to their citizens before it is too late,” he added.

According to the website of the event’s organizers, the Council of Europe, the Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy brings together reformers and global leaders to identify democratic responses to the economic, social and political challenges which affect societies today.

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