Law

European ‘strategic autonomy’ and the perception of reality

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(2 May 2023) (Edit.) For the renowned UN international law expert Alfred de Zayas, the visit of French President Emanuel Macron to China at the beginning of April this year raises not only the question of how Europe intends to position itself towards both China and the USA in the future, but also what international law consequences will arise from his future behaviour. It would be a blessing for Europe if Macron could stand firm on his statements and bring them closer to Germany and Italy in particular:

Crimes against Humanity: Serbia’s Law Suit against NATO

More than 15 Tons of Uranium Bombs Dropped on Yugoslavia in 1999

by Natali Milenkovic*

(18 April 2023) Over 4,000 Citizens of Serbia including Kosovo and Metohija, are Suing NATO. Their Cancer Diagnoses Are a Direct Consequence of the NATO Bombings of Yugoslavia in 1999
International Law

UN Charter – The Ukraine War and our commitment to peace

by Michael von der Schulenburg,* Germany

(11 April 2023) To argue again today that peace can only be achieved by force of arms is a throwback to the war-torn times before the UN Charter of 1945. The war in Ukraine is now entering a second year – without even an attempt at a diplomatic solution. Instead of peace talks, the warring and conflicting parties have become further entangled in a dangerous spiral of military escalation using ever heavier weapons systems. As if we were still stuck in the thought patterns of the first half of the 20th century, large-scale military offensives are now supposed to bring the solution.

Democracy in Times of War

Challenges to our Common Humanity

I.P.O. President Hans Köchler delivers opening speech at “World Forum on Democracy & Peace” in Berlin

(28 February 2023) (News release) Referring to Immanuel Kant’s seminal treatise on Perpetual Peace, Hans Köchler, President of the Vienna-based “International Progress Organization”, earlier this week [15–18 February 2023] reminded an audience of global leaders assembled at the “Academy for Cultural Diplomacy” in Berlin, Germany, that only a polity where citizens have an influence on the conduct of foreign affairs offers a prospect of a peace that is durable and more than a temporary cessation of arms.

The United Nations and Unilateral Coercive Measures

Continuing violation of the human rights of targeted populations by powerful states and how to demand accountability

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(7 February 2023) Oral statement of 28 January 2023 at the Opening Session of the “International People’s Tribunal on U.S. Imperialism: Sanctions, Blockades, and Economic Coercive Measures”.

The Tamil People: “Unsung Victims”

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva1

(25 January 2023) The Tamils of the island of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) belong to that category of victims of major human rights violations who only few in the world want to acknowledge as victims. Not only today, but during the past 50 years when I have been associated in various capacities in United Nations organs and human rights NGO’s, I have met many Tamils but noticed how, unlike other victims, the Tamils do not enjoy that aura of empathy that benefits other victim groups.