UN secretary-general urges calm and dialogue in Turkey protests

UNITED NATIONS – Anatolia News Agency

Ban Ki-moon has called for calm in Gezi Park protests, his spokesperson told reporters. AA photo

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for calm and respect for the right of assembly in protests that have been continuing for two weeks in Turkey.

“The secretary-general appeals for calm and stresses the importance of addressing differences through dialogue,” said U.N. Secretary-General spokesperson Martin Nesirsky June 11.   

“Protests should be peaceful and the right to assembly and the freedom of expression should be respected, as these are fundamental principles of a democratic state,” Nesirsky added.

Ban’s statement came as police intervened once again against protesters in Taksim Square in an attempt to clear the site of “banners and flags.”