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.

Revisiting the Goals of Sustainable Development

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(16 December 2022) On 8 September 2000, full of optimism and resolve, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Millennium Declaration (resolution 55/2)1 reaffirming that development, together with peace and human rights, constitute the Organization’s priorities for the 21st century.

Peace as a Human Right

25 Principles of International Order to Ensure Sustainable Peace

by Alfred de Zayas,* Geneva

(6 December 2022) The motto of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648, “Pax Optima Rerum”,¹peace is the highest good, reminds us that even after the monstrous Thirty-Years’ War with its eight million deaths, peace could be re-established in Europe by diplomatic negotiation. There were no victors.