"I urge the Council of Europe to join me in calling for an end to the curbing of essential freedom," Ban said.
According to the UN secretary general, civil society, independent media and human rights defenders "are critical in addressing all of the gravest threats of our time."
Ban specifically listed the rise of violent extremism, intolerance and crimes in the name of religion as threats that need to be addressed.
"Threats posed by Daesh [Islamic State], Al Shabaab, Boko Haram, al-Qaeda and any other terrorist groups require security measures and even military actions," Ban said.
The Islamic State jihadist group, operating mainly in Syria and Iraq, Somalia’s Al Shabaab, Boko Haram in Nigeria, and al-Qaeda, which operates worldwide, have all committed numerous human rights atrocities. The groups are also known to have recruited numerous foreign fighters into their ranks.
The international community has condemned the militants’ actions. The US-led international coalition, as well as the Syrian and Iraqi armies, are fighting against Islamic State extremists. Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad have launched offensives against Boko Haram, which is affiliated to the Islamic State. Kenya and Somalia have taken action against the al-Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab.
