BISHOP FESTUS OZOEMENA

On December 19, 2016, the plenary of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in its resolution by a majority of its members, ratified the Declaration on the Right to Peace. The Declaration has positively become an important landmark in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

By that, Member States have traditionally understood that the right of people to peace should be linked to principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations. Additionally, they stressed that the respect of these principles should help to eliminate the scourge of war. The 1984 declaration is principally devoted to the relationship among countries and the condemnation of war.

The instrument makes a balance between the Charter of the United Nations and the protection of all human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It takes into account that in context of war, all human rights are violated. The Declaration has a clear victim-oriented approach, by stressing the right of everyone to enjoy the three UN pillars – peace, human rights and development.

The 2016 Declaration on the Right to Peace has positively reinforced the human rights machinery in its linkage of peace as a vital requirement for the full enjoyment of all human rights by all. On the basis of the notion of human dignity, the declaration has elaborated the principles of equality and non-discrimination, justice and rule of law, and guarantees freedom from fear and want as a means to build peace within and between societies.

As to the relationship between the right to life and peace, UNGA adopted the UNESCO Declaration of the Principle on Tolerance and the follow-up Plan of Action. It invited Member States to apply the Declaration at the National level. It believes that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behavior and values, have right to live in peace and to be as they are.

UNGA solemnly declares that all stakeholders must guide themselves in their activities by recognizing the high importance of practicing tolerance, dialogue, cooperation and solidarity among all human beings, peoples and nations of the world as a means to promote peace. To that end, present generations should ensure that both they and future generations learn to live together in peace with the highest aspiration of sparing future generations the scourge of war.

In fact, the recognition in the 2016 Declaration of the Linkage between the right to life and peace is based on the notion of tolerance and cultural diversity. It resolved that tolerance is the recognition that human beings are diverse and have right to live in peace with their diversity, while not imposing their beliefs on others.

In the Light of these precedents, the future of the 2016 declaration requires that all stakeholders work on the basis of dialogue, inclusiveness, transparency and consensus. In order to evolve from a culture of conflict to a culture of peace, human rights and development, it is strongly desirable for the promotion of peace worldwide to strengthen the positive trend on this matter already initiated.

The message of the 2016 Declaration for the succeeding Generations is that only through humanity can peace be achieved and that the main aspiration of men and women in the 21st century is to create a world free of war and conflict. For this reason, in the New Millennium, denying the right of every human being to access and enjoy the three pillars- peace, human rights and development- is to deny the same existence of man.

Back home, it is obvious that the actions, activities and programs of the present government in Anambra state are in tandem with the UN declaration. Governor Willie Obiano has exhibited exceptional knack for peace, human rights and concomitant development of all the 181 communities in the state.

Therefore, as we commemorate the 2020 World Peace Day today, let us emulate Sir Willie by making peace our lifestyle and show compassion and kindness to the less privileged and the indigents in our neighborhoods and communities. We should not discriminate against persons affected by COVID-19. Let us Shape Peace Together and keep to the WHO protocols.

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