Ban praises non-violence against Arab governments

Power of non-violent methods showed how it was possible to achieve peaceful political change in the Middle East and North Africa over the past year, said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.Marking the International Day of Non-Violence, observed annually on October 2nd, at a special event at UN Headquarters, Ban said, late Friday, "the dramatic events of the past year showed the immense power of non-violence.'People in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond proved that it is more effective to fire off a tweet than to fire a gun. They did more than topple long-entrenched governments; they emboldened other oppressed peoples to think that the path of non-violence might work for them." "Courageous individuals who embrace non-violence effectively corner their oppressors. Those oppressors will not like their choices. They can crack down harder - but that would reveal their moral bankruptcy. Or they can negotiate and trigger a process of change," he said in apparently an indirect reference to the crackdown on opposition activists in Syria."Non-violence confounds those who face it - and that is why it works," he said.For too long, he added, "countries invested in violence instead of peace. But people are choosing non-violence. And if they continue using peaceful means they can shape a better future in all countries ... Let us commit to supporting the brave individuals who stake their lives on the belief that peaceful forms of protest bring lasting forms of peace." The observance of the Day also marks the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of India's independence movement, whose non-violence philosophy and tactics have been adopted by leaders around the world.