The global civil society reclaim the recognition of the right to peace at UN General Assembly

In view of the submission of the Declaration on the Right to Peace for adoption at the UN General Assembly during its current session, the Human Rights Centre of the University of Padova subscribes and spreads the open-letter addressed to the diplomatic community jointly prepared by the following civil society organisations: Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23), International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), UN Network of United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and the Japanese Committee for Human Rights to Peace (JCHRP).

 

 Open-Letter on the right to peace addressed to the diplomatic community

 

Your Excellency,

On July 1st 2016, the Human Rights Council adopted the Declaration on the Right to Peace (A/HRC/RES/32/28). Such Declaration is the result of a common and resolute effort carried out by civil society, governments and UN entities with the purpose of advancing in the construction of a future of peace for all humankind.

Our organizations, together with many other civil society organizations from all over the world, actively engaged all along the negotiation process, raising the voice of the voiceless and countless innocent victims of wars and violence in all its forms.

The Declaration on the Right to Peace will be submitted to the General Assembly for its adoption during the current 71st regular session.

We call upon all UN Member States to support this important initiative and therefore to vote in favor of the Declaration on the Right to Peace when it will be drawn to their attention.

The text, which has been adopted by the Human Rights Council following three sessions of an Open- Ended Intergovernmental Group and an intense dialogue, represents an acceptable compromise between different views and aspirations. As civil society organizations we were aiming at a more articulated and substantive document. Nevertheless, we value efforts made to reach a least common denominator.

In today's world, devastated by armed conflicts, hate and poverty, the recognition and declaration by an overwhelming majority of states that “Everyone has the right to enjoy peace”, would send to Humanity, and in particular to young and future generations, a very much needed message of peace and hope. Our organizations cannot but recognize the great importance of such message. The adoption of the UN Declaration on the Right to Peace will represent a little step forward toward the fulfilment of the solemn promises we made in 1945.

Confident in the support of your Delegation to such historical Declaration, please accept, Excellency, the assurance of our highest considerations.

 

Micòl Savia,

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)

 

Maria Mercedes Rossi,

Main Representative to the United Nations,

Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII (APG23)

 

Oliver Rizzi Carlson,

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

UN Network of United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY)

 

Jun Sasamoto

Japanese Committee for Human Rights to Peace (JCHRP).

 

 

Co-Signatories

 

Federico Mayor Zaragoza,

President,

Foundation Culture of Peace

Former Director-General of UNESCO

 

Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C. Former Canadian Senator

Honorary President,

World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)

 

Prof. Antonio Papisca

University of Padova

UNESCO Chair in Human Rights, Democracy and Peace

 

Prof. Marco Mascia

University of Padova

Director, University Human Rights Centre

 

Alfred de Zayas,

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)

 

Jouni Hemberg

Executive Director,

Finn Church Aid

 

Bobbi Nassar,

Main Representative to the United Nations in New York,

International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centers (IFS)

Chair of the NGO Committee on Human Rights

 

Ana Leurinda,

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

Commission Africaine des Promoteurs de la Santé et des droits de l'homme (CAPSDH) Cultura de

Solidaridad Afro-Indígena

 

Hanan Sharfelddin,

Chief Executive and main Representative to the United Nations,

International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD)

 

Stefano Keller,

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

Universal Esperanto Association (UEA)

 

Afton Beutler,

Vice-President and main Representative to the United Nations,

Mother's Legacy Project

 

Denise Scotto,

Vice-President and Main Representative to the United Nations in New York,

International Federation of Women in Legal Careers (FIFCJ)

Representative to the United Nations in New York

International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL)

 

Deva Kaur Khalsa,

Main Representative to the United Nations,

3HO Foundation

 

Rudolf Schneider,

Secretary General and main Representative to the United Nations,

Institute for Planetary Synthesis (IPS)

Institute of Global Education

 

Isthar D.-Adler,

Main Representative to the United Nations,

Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation

 

Jane Durgom-Powers,

Founder and Main Representative to the United Nations,

Federation of Family Associations of Missing Persons from Armed Conflicts (IFFAMPAC)

 

Alice Kooij,

Advocacy officer,

Pax Christi International

 

Vita de Waal,

Executive Director,

Foundation for GAIA (GAIA)

 

Dr Andrew Michrowski

President,

Planetary Association For Clean Energy(PACE)

 

Kosha Joubert,

ExecutiveDirector,

Global Eco-village Network (GEN)

 

Shomik Chaudhuri,

Main Representative to the United Nations,

Institute of International Social Development at the United Nations (IISD)

 

Sylvester E. Rowe

Main Representative to the United Nations,

International Association of Peace Messenger Cities (IAPMC)

 

Colin Archer

Secretary-General,

International Peace Bureau (IPB)

 

Sidi Cherif

Executive President,

World For World Organization (WFWO)

 

Patrick Nickisch

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

United Religions Initiative (URI)

 

Mintze van der Velde

Director,

Lucis Trust-World Good Will

 

Colette Samoya

Founder and coordinator,

Bangwe and Dialogue

 

Vesely Ivan

Main Representative to the United Nations,

Dzeno

 

Maria Grazia Caputo

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco (IIMA)

 

Zeynep Gündüz

Executive Director,

Foundation for the Refugee Education Trust (RET International)

 

Delia Mamon

Founder and President,

Graines de Paix

 

Leonor Guadalupe Salazar Garcia

Main Representative,

International Volunteerism Organisation for Women Education Development (V.I.D.E.S.)

 

Ralph Kader

Chairman and main Representative to the United Nations in New York,

US Federation for Middle East Peace

 

Mireille Barbier

1st « Grand Prix des Droits de l’Homme » of the French Republic President,

ONG Hope International,

 

Monique Prindizis

Secretary-General,

World association for the School as an Instrument of Peace (EIP)

 

Gustavo Gallón

Director,

Colombian Commission of Jurists

 

Naji Haraj

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

International/Lawyers.org

Yael Danieli

Senior Representative to the United Nations,

International Organization for Victim Assistance (IOVA)

Formerly, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)

 

Kay Fusano

Coordinator,

International Women’s Year Liaison Group

 

Siméon Rapin

Additional Representative to the United Nations,

Association Points-Coeur

 

Rolf C. Carriere

Member of the Board of Directors,

Nonviolent Peaceforce

 

Melik Ozden

Director,

Centre Europe Tiers Monde (CETIM)

 

Jorge M. Dias Ferreira

Main representative to the United Nations,

New Humanity

 

Maria Giovanna Ruggieri

President General,

World Union of Catholic Women's Organisation (WUCWO – UMOFC)

 

Sally Kader

President,

International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development

 

Aitziber Barrueta Atxutegi

Main representative to the United Nations,

Teresian Association

 

Mr. Elias Khouri

Main representative to the United Nations,

Union of Arab Jurists

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)

 

Kay Fusano

Coordinator,

International Women’s Year Liaison Group

 

Siméon Rapin

Additional Representative to the United Nations,

Association Points-Coeur

 

Rolf C. Carriere

Main Representative to the United Nations in Geneva,

Nonviolent Peaceforce

 

Melik Ozden

Director,

Centre Europe Tiers Monde (CETIM)

Jorge M. Dias Ferreira

Main representative to the United Nations,

New Humanity

Maria Giovanna Ruggieri

President General,

World Union of Catholic Women's Organisation (WUCWO – UMOFC)

Sally Kader

President,

International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development

Aitziber Barrueta Atxutegi

Main representative to the United Nations,

Teresian Association

Mr. Elias Khouri

Main representative to the United Nations,

Union of Arab Jurists