Ban Ki-moon Quotes

Human beings are not property. On the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts so that the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - 'no one shall be held in slavery or servitude' - ring true.

Speaking out is important for me because everyone should be treated equally.

Emancipation - what is meant by it? Simply that the slaves shall cease to be held as property and shall henceforth be held and treated as human beings. Simply, that we should take our feet from off their necks.

I build no system. I ask an end to privilege, the abolition of slavery, equality of rights, and the reign of law. Justice, nothing else; that is the alpha and omega of my argument: to others I leave the business of governing the world.

We will make slavery history very soon. We will make child labor history very soon.

Is the Jew a man? He is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh, my fellow; and he shall not, if I can prevent it, be a slave! I demand for him equal rights and privileges, and a place within the pale of the Constitution!" Let all the people say, Even so, AMEN!

This is not a question of expediency, but of right. In antebellum days the proposition was not, “Are the blacks good enough to be free?” but, “Have they the right?” So today the question is not, “Will outrages result from freeing humanity?” but, “Has it the right to life, the means of life, the opportunities of happiness?”

What is life without liberty; and what is liberty without equality of rights?

For me, it's simple: everybody deserves the same rights.

I stand up for all rights.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Rights are won only by those who make their voices heard.

All of us are called to fight #‎ humantraffickin g and #‎ slavery .

Trust me that as I ignore all law to help the slave, so will I ignore it all to protect an enslaved woman.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.

If you hear me out, I believe you'll discover that what motivates me more than any other issue is the defense of everyone's rights.

The quest for freedom, dignity, and the rights of man will never end.

My heart is committed to giving everyone the same rights that I deserve for myself.

Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.

To re-establish faith in fundamental human rights, in the sanctity and ultimate value of human personality, in the equal rights of men and women of nations large and small.

Imagine your own daughters being sold into a life of rape and bone crushing labor.

Moral principles of liberty that endow a person with the right to claim and acquire property at the same time oblige that person to respect every other person’s equal right to do the same.

It took America three-quarters of a century of agitation and four years of war to learn the meaning of the word "Liberty." God grant to teach us by easier lessons the meaning of the words, "equal rights.

One man’s right is every man’s right.

Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.