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Ban calls on Egypt to remain committed to principles that ignited revolution

A poor Egyptian selling sweets to earn a living.
IRIN/Amr Emam
A poor Egyptian selling sweets to earn a living.

Ban calls on Egypt to remain committed to principles that ignited revolution

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on Egyptians to remain committed to the universal principles of peaceful dialogue and non-violence that sparked a revolution in the country two years ago.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban extended his warmest wishes to Egyptians and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support the country’s citizens and their Government in their “efforts to build a more inclusive and democratic future.”

Three weeks of mass protests that erupted on 25, January 2011 toppled the then President Hosni Mubarak and led to a transition period in the country, which was part of a larger group of movements in the region known as the Arab Spring.

In June, Mohammed Morsi was elected President in the first presidential elections since the revolution began. However, protests were reignited when Mr. Morsi issued a Constitutional Declaration in November temporarily suspending the powers of Egyptian courts, and again when the country voted on a draft Constitution last month.

“Even as Egyptians engage vigorously in debate, the Secretary-General encourages them to remain committed to universal principles of: peaceful dialogue and non-violence, inclusiveness, respect for human rights and the independence of institutions, and democratic processes which are accommodating of the diversity of viewpoints,” the statement read. “He underscores the importance of the active participation of women in decision-making.

“The Secretary-General believes these are the foundations that can provide the stable, hopeful and dignified future for which the Egyptian people struggled so courageously in their revolution.”

In addition to Egypt, popular uprisings in 2011 resulted in the fall of long-standing regimes in Tunisia, Libya and Yemen, and led to the violence and humanitarian suffering that continues in Syria.