Collective
Security:
The Priorities of Civil
Society
“If
the 21st century wishes
to free itself from the
cycle of violence, acts
of terror and war….there
is no other way except by
understanding and putting
into practice every human
right for all mankind, irrespective
of race, gender, faith,
nationality or social status.”
- Shirin Ebadi |
The
Secretary-General has appealed
to Member States for collection
action based on a "responsibility
to protect" vulnerable populations
against genocide, ethnic
cleansing and crimes against
humanity. He has called
on governments to set criteria
for Security Council decisions
on the use of force and
has proposed creation of
a Peacebuilding Commission
and Support Office to help
win the peace in post-conflict
countries. He has asked
States to adopt the proposed
comprehensive conventions
against terrorism and organized
crime. There is a groundswell
of support among NGOs for
this emerging security consensus.
Member States' full cooperation
with the International Criminal
Court and other international
or mixed war crimes tribunals
is paramount. In addition,
many NGOs are challenging
States to follow through
with their commitment to
revitalize disarmament and
nuclear non-proliferation
treaties. This
panel will focus on respect
for human rights as the
driving force behind peace,
security and development.
It will highlight the
importance of ending violence,
impunity and the grave
practice of using citizens
as a weapon or tool to
promote the State agenda.
Speakers will express
their views on the Secretary-General's
proposal to convert the
Human Rights Commission
into a smaller Human Rights
Council and to create
a United Nations Democracy
Fund to monitor and protect
citizens worldwide from
human rights abuses. They
will assess progress thus
far in implementing MDG
# 8, which calls for adequate
financial resources, democratic
governance, electoral
assistance and pro-active
human rights policies. |
