Law

International Order Means Playing by the Rules

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(23 February 2024) When eight billion human beings have to live on a common planet, it is necessary to establish rules of the game, a certain modus vivendi to avoid chaos and violence. Coherent rules enable a peaceful local, regional and international development based on cooperation rather than confrontation. These rules have to be observed in good faith. Cheating is not allowed.1 Double standards destroy the trust that we place on the institutions that administer the rules.

German war crimes

80th anniversary of the siege of Leningrad – 1,1 million dead

by German Foreign Policy*

(25 January 2024) (Edit. CH-S) The human cost and the horror the German war of aggression of 1941 meant for the Russian civilian population is quickly forgotten in our days. Today, once more the enemy is officially called Russia.

The mass killing of the civilian population of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) by a starvation blockade, which was calculated ice-cold by the German political leadership at the time, was one of the sad highlights of German “master race” behaviour.

ICJ complaint by South Africa

Genocide in Gaza

by John J. Mearsheimer,* USA

(18 January 2024) (Ed.) South Africa has filed a lawsuit against Israel for genocide against the Palestinians at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The renowned political scientist from the USA, John J. Mearsheimer, clearly explains the content of this document and its significance, in particular the likely impact on the United States.

Progress and Retrogression in Human Rights

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(25 October 2023) Progress and retrogression characterize the reality of international law, international relations, and the concrete enjoyment of human rights by women and men throughout the planet. We hail the tides of opportunity, the times of liberation and expansion, but we should not be blind to recurrent abuses, crimes, and moments of disgrace.

The UN Charter must remain the heart and soul of any new peace architecture

Michael von der Schulenburg,* Germany

(5 September 2023) This article is a contribution to the German peace movement’s pamphlet on the occasion of this year’s “Anti-War Day on September 1”. On this day, 84 years ago, the German Reich marched into Poland and ignited the Second World War, bringing indescribable destruction, misery and suffering to Europe and the world.
Niger and International Law

The International Progress Organization condemns collective punishment of the people of Niger

It warns of military intervention in violation of the United Nations Charter and appeals to ECOWAS heads of state at Emergency Summit in Abuja, Nigeria

by Dr. Hans Köchler, President I.P.O, Vienna, Austria

(22 August 2023) (8 August 2023 – RE/28961c-is) In a statement issued today, the President of the International Progress Organization (I.P.O.), Dr. Hans Köchler, called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to desist from a policy of intimidation and interference concerning the political situation in the Republic of Niger. The threat of military intervention and the punitive sanctions imposed on Niger are in violation of the United Nations Charter and risk further destabilizing the already precarious security situation in the region.