Round Table on the human right to peace, “Global Issues Network”

Mr. Alfred de Zayas, professor of the Geneva School of Diplomacy, participated on behalf of the AEDIDH. In his presentation he stated that Peace is a human right and a necessary condition for the enjoyment of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The Roman maxim "inter arma silent leges" -- in wartime laws are silent -- would leave the human being without protection, without human rights. Peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of harmony, solidarity and justice. This is the message of the Luarca Declaration of 30 October 2006, formally presented to the UN Human Rights Council on 15 March 2007 and subject of countless panel discussions and conferences ever since. This declaration aims at a holistic approach to peace, based on the principle "si vis pacerm, cole justitiam" -- if you wish peace, you must cultivate justice. Thus the human right to peace encompasses not only the necessity of disarmament, but also the removal of the causes of conflict, including poverty, exploitation, neo-colonialism and social injustice. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits the threat or the use of force. General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974) contains a definition of aggression. And yet many aggressive wars have been waged since 1945. The world urgently needs a recognition of the right to positive peace as envisaged in the Luarca Declaration.