All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

United Nations General Assembly adopts annual culture of peace resolution

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

Information from United Nations Press Release

The Assembly concluded its consideration of its agenda item on the culture of peace . . .   acting without a vote, it adopted the resolution “Follow-up to the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (document A/75/L.28). 

The resolution was sponsored by Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Morocco, Qatar, Russian Federation, Singapore and Viet Nam:

Here are the 19 operative sections of the resolution.

1. Reiterates that the objective of the effective implementation of the
Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace is to strengthen further the globalmovement for a culture of peace following the observance of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001–2010, and calls upon all concerned to renew their attention to this objective;

2. Welcomes the inclusion of the promotion of a culture of peace in the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development;

3. Invites Member States to continue to place greater emphasis on and expandtheir activities promoting a culture of peace at the national, regional and international levels and to ensure that peace and non-violence are fostered at all levels;

4. Invites the entities of the United Nations system, within their existing
mandates, to integrate, as appropriate, the eight action areas of the Programme of Action into their programmes of activities, focusing on promoting a culture of peace and non-violence at the national, regional and international levels;

5. Commends the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization for strengthening efforts to mobilize all relevant stakeholders within and outside the United Nations system in support of a culture of peace, and invites the Organization to continue to enhance communication and outreach, including through the culture of peace website;

6. Commends the practical initiatives and actions by relevant United Nationsbodies, including the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and the Universityfor Peace, as well as their activities in further promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, in particular the promotion of peace education and activities related to specific areas identified in the Programme of Action, and encourages them to continue and further strengthen and expand their efforts;

7. Underlines that early childhood development contributes to the developmentof more peaceful societies through advancing equality, tolerance, human development and promoting human rights, and calls for investment in early childhood education, including through effective policies and practices, towards promoting a culture of peace;

8. Encourages Member States, United Nations entities, regional and subregionalorganizations and relevant actors to consider instituting mechanisms to involve youth in the promotion of a culture of peace, tolerance and intercultural and interreligious dialogue and develop, as appropriate, an understanding of respect for human dignity, pluralism and diversity, including, as appropriate, through education programmes, that could discourage their participation in acts of terrorism, violent extremism as and when conducive to terrorism, violence, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination;

(continued in right column)

Question for this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?

(continued from left column)

9. Encourages the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to increase its
activities that focus on peace education and global citizenship education in order to enhance an understanding among young people of values such as peace, tolerance, openness, inclusion and mutual respect, which are essential in developing a culture of peace;

10. Encourages the United Nations peacebuilding architecture to continue to
promote peacebuilding and sustaining peace activities, as outlined in its resolution 72/276, and to advance a culture of peace and non-violence in post-conflict peacebuilding efforts at the country level;

11. Urges the appropriate authorities to provide age-appropriate education inchildren’s schools that builds a culture of peace and non-violence, including lessons in mutual understanding, respect, tolerance, active and global citizenship and human rights;

12. Encourages the involvement of media, especially the mass media, in
promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, with particular regard to children and young people;

13. Commends civil society, non-governmental organizations and young
people for their activities in further promoting a culture of peace and non-violence, including through their campaign to raise awareness on a culture of peace and the peaceful settlement of disputes;

14. Encourages civil society and non-governmental organizations to further
strengthen their efforts to promote a culture of peace, inter alia, by adopting their own programme of activities to complement the initiatives of Member States, the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, in line with the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace;

15. Invites Member States, all entities of the United Nations system and civilsociety organizations to accord increasing attention to their observance of theInternational Day of Peace on 21 September each year as a day of global ceasefireand non-violence, in accordance with its resolution 55/282 of 7 September 2001, and of the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October, in accordance with itsresolution 61/271 of 15 June 2007;

16. Reiterates its request to the President of the General Assembly to considerconvening a high-level forum, as appropriate and within existing resources, devoted to the implementation of the Programme of Action on the occasion of the anniversary of its adoption, on or around 13 September, and requests the Secretariat to provide required logistical support for its effective organization within their respective mandates and existing resources;

17. Invites the Secretary-General, within existing resources, in consultationwith the Member States and taking into account the observations of civil societyorganizations, to explore mechanisms and strategies, in particular strategies in the sphere of information and communications technology, for the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action and to initiate outreach efforts to increase global awareness of the Programme of Action and its eight areas of action aimed at their implementation, including through public information activities by the Department of Global Communications of the Secretariat;

18. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its
seventy-sixth session a report, within existing resources, on actions taken by Member States, on the basis of information provided by them, and those taken system-wide by all concerned entities of the United Nations to implement the present resolution and on heightened activities by the Organization and its affiliated agencies to implement the Programme of Action and to promote a culture of peace and non-violence;

19. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-sixth sessionthe item entitled “Culture of peace”.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, global, United Nations,

Germany Culture of Peace Weekend December 4-6

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Information received by email from the Kultur des Friedens Society (translated by CPNN from the German original)

Webinar December 4
The role of the US – AFRICOM, Stuttgart with representatives from the USA and various African countries.

Nationwide day of action December 5, 2020, DISARMING INSTEAD OF ARMING! NEW POLICY NOW! I.


Photo from the website of abruesten.jetzt.

On Saturday, December 5th, 2020, 1.30 p.m., Marktplatz Stuttgart, CALL with Jürgen Wagner (Militarization Information Center Tübingen)
Henning Zierock (Society for Culture of Peace) Sidar Carman (ver.di District Stuttgart) Ekkehard Rössle Duo (on saxophone and drums)
Information on the nationwide day of action, https://abruesten.jetzt/

(continued in right column)

Question for this article:

How can we be sure to get news about peace demonstrations?

(continued from left column)

We demand: an immediate stop in the procurement of armaments, a reduction in the defense budget, and an increase in social spending in the areas of housing, health and education
No purchase of armed drones Signing of the nuclear weapons ban treaty by the federal government, building a partnership relationship with China and Russia Eucom and Africom close – creating social housing, extensive investments in climate protection
Organizer: FRIEDENSTREFF Stuttgart-Nord Supporters: DFG-VK Stuttgart, DGB Stuttgart, DIDF Stuttgart, DIE LINKE Stuttgart, DKP Fellbach, DKP Stuttgart, FRIEDENSTREFF Cannstatt, Society Culture of Peace, IPPNW Stuttgart, Naturfreunde Stuttgart, Life Without Armor, Pirate Party Stuttgart, SÖS Stuttgart, Ver.di district of Stuttgart, Waldheim Stuttgart eV / Clara Zetkin House, future forum of the Stuttgart trade unions

On the day of action there is an alliance of the peace and refugee movement to show solidarity with refugees on Saturday December 5th. at 3 p.m., Tübinger Platanenallee
followed by a demonstration “Moria is not forgotten. Evacuate the refugee camps”. Speeches, etc. of the culture of peace and the anti-rig alliance of Tübingen
especially about the connection between armament, militarization and the cause of flight war.

December 6, 2 pm. “Freedom for Julian Assange” rally on December 6th, 2020 at 2 pm on the Schlossplatz in Stuttgart.

Save Julian Assange’s life! Stuttgart Peace Prize Laureate 2020 Julian Assange’s clock is ticking – on January 4th, 2021 the verdict on his impending extradition from London
to the USA. Call for a worldwide rally from Stuttgart:
Die AnStifter, The nationwide vigils for Julian Assange (freeassange.eu./Free Assange Committee Germany), Reporters Without Borders, German journalists and
Journalists Union, Society Culture of Peace, pax christi, Chaos Computer Club Stuttgart, Amnesty International Stuttgart, EcolLeaks, “Art Action” Anything to say ”
Link to the rally on Sunday, December 6th, 2020 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDD77Z9agEM&feature=youtu.be

Europe, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Bolivia: Choquehuanca meets with the UN to “strengthen the culture of peace”

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article from Pagina Siete (translation by CPNN)

Vice President David Choquehuanca met on Wednesday with the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Organization for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, Miroslav Jenča, to “strengthen” the culture of peace.


Vice President Choquehuanca in meeting with Miroslav Jenča / Photo: ABI

(Click here for the original version of this article in Spanish)

Question for this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?

“We had a meeting with Brother Miroslav Jenča, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas. We promote the culture of peace and dialogue, that is our path, the path of unity and brotherhood “, wrote the Vice President, through his Facebook account.

At the time of assuming the Vice Presidency of the State, Choquehuanca made several reflections with a view to seeking balance and the recovery of the rule of law with impartial justice and the full exercise of democracy, reported the state ABI.

“Bolivians see each other as equals and we know that united we are worth more, we are in times of being Jiwasa again. It is not a question of me, it is a question of us. Jiwasa is the opposite of self-centeredness,” he said on November 8, upon taking office.

The UN delegation is in Bolivia to consolidate peace, in relation to the acts of violence that occurred after the resignation of Evo Morales in 2019.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Latin America

La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico: Training of basic education teachers on the culture of peace

. EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Karina Lizárraga in El Sudcaliforniano (translation by CPNN)

More than 1,500 preschool, primary and secondary school teachers from the five municipalities of Baja California Sur participated via zoom in the seminar called: “Socio-emotional education, child and adolescent participation and the culture of peace in Mexican schools”, according to the general director of basic education of the Ministry of Public Education, Martina Camacho Higuera.

(Click here for the original Spanish version).

Question for this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

Where is peace education taking place?

The official said that this training had the objective of offering pedagogical resources for the development of socio-emotional skills and the participation of students in the culture of peace, an action aimed at promoting the construction of an inclusive and democratic coexistence, for protection from the pandemic, as well as for the return to classrooms once determined by the health authorities.

Camacho Higuera highlighted that this event was offered by the Undersecretary of Basic Education, Marcos Bucio ,and the Directorate of Educational Management of the Federal SEP directed by Marlene Mendoza, who were kind enough to take into account the South Californian teachers in this educational journey.

In this sense, he added that it is the responsibility of authorities, teachers, students, parents and mothers to take actions to build environments of cordiality and harmony that go beyond the classrooms, to develop a culture of peace that impacts on the development of society.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Sinaloa, Mexico: III International Congress on women and the culture of peace

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from Debate (translation by CPNN)

After two days of work, the III International Congress “Culture of peace by women: various worldviews; women and men for positive masculinities” was concluded in Culiacán with the participation of prominent specialists in these issues.


Image of the congress participants via Zoom.

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Questions related to this article:

Do women have a special role to play in the peace movement?

Prospects for progress in women’s equality, what are the short and long term prospects?

The event was organized by the Sinaloa State Congress, the Autonomous University of the West and the civil association Building Spaces for Peace as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism.

Some of the topics that were developed on November 27 and 28, were health and social work with pregnant women, victims of family violence, the evaluation of Gender Alerts, Culture of Peace, Human rights of women, bullying and sexual violence.

On the second and last day of activities, the speakers were Leticia Burgos, coordinator of the National Alert Network; Argentina Casanova, representative of the Social and Gender Observatory, and María Luisa Sosa de la Torre, of the National Network for Effective Parity and the National Network of Political Rights Trainers.

Latin America, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Support communities in Caquetá, Colombia to strengthen peace building processes in the territories

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from Vaki

Since May 2018, Schools of Peace Foundation (Fundación Escuelas de Paz in Spanish), supports rural communities of Curillo and La Montañita, in Caquetá, in the development of actions that strengthen the leading role and active and inclusive citizenship in peace building processes that come from the territories through the Project Knitting Paths of Peace (Proyecto Tejiendo Caminos de Paz in Spanish).

Caquetá is one of the most affected departments of Colombia by violence. The emergence, prolongation and deterioration of the armed conflict has caused numerous human’s rights violations, perpetuated by different groups involved in this armed conflict.

(Continued in right column)

(Click here for a Spanish version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

(Continued from left column)

This situation has created a complex humanitarian crisis that affects rural, indigenous, mestizo and African-Colombian communities, these are the consequences of transculturation related to drug dealing, social consciousness of war, patriarchal culture, gender based violence, displacement, the growth of informal settlements, poverty and precarious conditions of the health system.

Nonetheless, the inhabitants of these territories, with great resilience, come together hoping to create peace building alternatives by collective initiatives, looking to generate education, opportunities, solidarity-based economy and a peaceful transformation of conflicts. In this task, it is important to highlight women leadership in their organizational, communicative and active processes.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has delayed organizational, formative and communicative processes of the project, which can lead to its decline for its lack of continuity.

Right now, in order to move forward with the last phase of the project, we need resources from the national and international civic society.

We need your support so that the communities can implement the advances of the formative process and the political incidence that they already began, so with this, they can develop collective initiatives and communicative strategies which will rebuild the social fabric and the nonviolent mobilization.

Be a part of the change and join us with your donation!

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

English bulletin December 1, 2020

VIRTUAL EVENTS FOR CULTURE OF PEACE

There are now so many virtual events promoting the culture of peace that we have started a new service at CPNN, listing them in advance along with their registration infomation. We list those that are free and open to the general public. In this way, CPNN readers are able to participate in the live event.

This month we have listed an average of almost one event per day coming from all regions of the world. Here is a brief summary, organized by theme.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

A lab for nonviolent action was sponsored the the US organization Pace e Bene on November 5, 12 and 19.

Nonviolence: From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter. This year’s Mahatma Gandhi lecture was held online on November 7. The lecture now held annually for 20 years is sponsored by the Peace Studies Program and the Centre for Peace Studies at McMaster University in Canada.

Mediation and Restorative Justice was the theme in Mexico on November 27 at the Fifth Congress of the Federación Nacional De Colegios De Mediadores.

HUMAN RIGHTS

with the Palestinian people. A dozen or so French organizations hosted activists for the human rights of the Palestinian people on November 30.

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

“School of democracy” was the theme of a series of conferences sponsored by the UNESCO Chair in Pamploma, Spain. On November 5, the conference featured Agusin Ruis Robledo, Professor of Consitutional Law at the University of Granada, speaking on the theme “the dceadence of parliamentarianism.” On November 12, Miguel Angel Simon spoke on “the rise of the extreme right.”

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Transformative economies. The World Social Forum on Transformative Ecoomies held a series of five programs between November 4 and 18 with specific examples from throughout Latin America.

“Creating a better world for future generations” was the theme of a web event on November 21, sponsored by the Goi Peace Foundation of Japan and featuring Dr. Jaques Attali.

WOMEN’S EQUALITY

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 promoting the role of women in UN peacemaking was celebrated on its 20th birthday November 20 in the annual Texas (USA) symposium on Women, Peace and Security.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was celebrated by the African Union Office of Youth Envoy on November 25 with a number of very high-level officials from Africa and the United Nations.

TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY

Defense of the Venezuelan elections against US imperialist interference was discussed in a forum on November 18 sponsored by proggressive organizations in the US.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Youth leading the movement against racism was the subject of a webinar sponsored by the Global Campaign for Peace Education on November 20.

Speakers addressed various culture of peace themes in the annual Global Peace Forum of Coventry Rising on November 11-13.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Analysis of the prospects for peace with the new US government.This was the theme of several internet conferences. Two were sponsored by the Stop the War Coaltion in the UK. On November 30, the speaker was Jeremy Corbyn. On November 28, there were five speaker, including a member of parliament. A similar theme,”Anti-imperialist election; Youth fight back”, was discussed on November 21 by member organizations of the United National Antiwar Coalition in the United States. Another webinar on this subject, on November 11 was sponsored by the International Peace Bureau

of nuclear war and global warming were discussed in a confeerence on November 29 by the Canadian organizations Peace Magazine and Project Save the World.

Pathways to reset international cooperation” was the theme of Geneva Peace Week that was held on line from November 2-6 sponsored by the Geneva Center for Peacebuilding. A similar theme, “inspiring cooperation on behalf of the common good”, was sponsored by the National Peace Academy of the United States on November 10.

Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was the theme of the webinar on November 2 sponsored by Unfold Zero.

CPNN readers are encouraged to regularly consult the listings contained on our webpage, and to share this information with yout friends and colleagues. Above all, participate. Participate! PARTICIPATE!

HUMAN RIGHTS




France: Thousands protest against bill to curb filming of police

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION



Five new digital media platforms for uncensored news from Colombia

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT



FAO : Strong support for innovation and digital technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION



Toluca, Mexico, establishes more than 150 Peace Centers
          

EDUCATION FOR PEACE



Burkina Faso: Blanche Bana wins the Sotigui Awards 2020

WOMEN’S EQUALITY



I am Generation Equality: Ixchel Lucas, youth advocate for girls’ leadership

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY


France: Youth in Normandy Mobilize for Human Rights and the Freedom Prize

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY



Following peace deal, talks on Libya’s political future begin
d-information

The people of France : No to a police state!

. . HUMAN RIGHTS . .

Photos by Dea Drndraska (Reproduced by permission)

This week again, like one week ago, the people of France have clearly indicated that they don’t want the new law proposed by the Macron government for “sécurité globale” a measue that would penalize the diffusion of photos of the police. Here are some of their signs from the demonstration in Paris on 28 November.















Click here for the French version)















Europe, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, HUMAN RIGHTS

Past Virtual Events, November 27-30

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Here are events from November 27 that were previously listed on the CPNN page for upcoming virtual events. Unless otherwise noted the events are in English.

November 27 [in Spanish]

“V National and International Congress of the Federación Nacional De Colegios De Mediadores A.C”.
“Tópicos de Mediación, Conciliación y Justicia Restaurativa: Navegando hacia una Cultura de Paz”.
— El taller de 12: 00-13: 00 hrs (hora en la Ciudad de México) hablará sobre “Las Prácticas Restaurativas en América Latina”
— Para participar, complete el formulario en https://forms.gle/voQJ5z2oiu3AsLzM8
— También puede ver el evento en vivo en la página de Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Federaci%C3%B3n-Nacional-De-Colegios-De-Mediadores-AC-160451864363494/

Nov 28, 2020

Stop the War Coalition : Prospects for War & Peace After the US Elections
— What does the election of Joe Biden mean for UK foreign policy? On one hand the president-elect has called for an end to US support for the Saudi-led war on Yemen, yet on the other he appears committed to escalating tensions with China. All of which will have major ramifications for British foreign policy. Boris Johnson’s unveiling of a huge military spending increase seems designed to please the new US president and demonstrate that the UK remains a devoted ally.
— As Donald Trump’s tenure comes to an end are we expecting huge shifts in foreign policy or more of the same?
— Join us for this fringe session of the North West Connected conference to discuss all of this and how the anti-war movement can organise against it with:
– Richard Burgon MP
– Lindsey German
– Sarah Cundy (Manchester Momentum Vice Chair)
– Jenny Clegg (Greater Manchester Stop the War)
– Rashida Islam (Greater Manchester Stop the War)
Time : 01:00 PM in London
— Register here

Sunday, Nov. 29, 2:00 – 4:00 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Peace Magazine and Project Save the World Invite You to Our Next Monthly Global Town Hall
— On the last Sunday of every month, we hold an open meeting for activists worldwide who are addressing issues of militarism (especially nuclear weapons), global warming, famine, pandemics, radioactive contamination, and cyber risks. We talk for two hours with our video cameras on (not just audio, please), edit the recording, and put it on YouTube, Facebook, and our website: https://tosavetheworld.ca Then we publicize it widely. Everyone is welcome. There is no agenda, but this time I hope we will have a good discussion about the many risks to democracy today, especially as we see in elections.
— Register here

Mon 30 Nov – 18:30 London time

Foreign Policy After the US Election w/ Jeremy Corbyn –
Join Jeremy Corbyn on Monday to discuss the significance of the US election results on UK foreign policy.
— The election of Joe Biden has been met with a sense of relief but with a team of right-wing Democrats behind him, along with a largely republican senate, the prospects for a progressive US foreign policy look bleak. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson’s unveiling of a huge military spending increase is designed to please the new US president and demonstrate that the UK remains a devoted ally.
— As Donald Trump’s tenure comes to an end, are we expecting huge shifts in foreign policy or more of the same? Join us to discuss the future of the so-called ‘special relationship’ with the former Labour Leader and Stop the War Chair.
— Click Here to Register

Lundi 30 novembre à 18h30 (French time – in French)

A l’occasion de la Journée internationale de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien, l’AFPS, la CGT, EELV, GDS, l’intergroupe parlementaire de la FI, le MJCF, la LDH, Le Mouvement de la Paix, le MRAP, le PCF, la plateforme des ONG françaises pour la Palestine, R&S, UAVJ, l’UNEF et l’UEC organisent un webmeeting en direct sur Zoom le lundi 30 novembre 2020 de 18h30 à 20h30.
— Avec :
Majed BAMYA, représentant de la Palestine à l’ONU,
Aïda TOUMA-SLIMAN, députée de la Joint List à la Knesset,
Sahar FRANCIS, directrice d’Addameer Prisoner Support & Human Rights Association,
Zakaria ODEH, coordonnateur de la Coalition civique pour les droits des Palestinien.ne.s à Jérusalem,
Wajeh ABU ZAREFAH, professeur de Science Politique et analyste politique pour Alshabaka, The palestinian policy network (Gaza),
ainsi que des représentant-e-s de la campagne de Résistance non-violente, des réfugiés palestiniens, et de Btselem (centre israélien d’information pour les droits de l’homme dans les territoires occupés).
— Rejoindre la conférence avec Zoom ici.

Dec 1, 2020 18:30 PM in London

Students say No to War on Yemen
The war in Yemen has entered its sixth, devastating year. Over 100,000 people have died and millions are the brink of famine. The British Government is complicit in this war; over £5 billion worth of arms have been sold to the Saudi coalition since the start of the war and RAF personnel have maintained Saudi planes and directed the bombings. Stop the War Coalition, alongside organisations around the world, has called a global day of action against the war on Yemen on 25th January 2021. Students have played a major role in fighting against British involvement in the war, organising protests across the country over the summer, and will have a vital role in building the day of action. Join us to discuss how we can take action on the 25th January and end the war on Yemen.
— Speakers (tbc):
Lucy Nichols, Stop the War
Malak Mayet, Campaign Against the Arms Trade
Adhiyan Jeevathol, London Students for Yemen
Lamar Campbell, Young Labour International Representative
Hasan Patel, Young Labour Under 18’s Representative
Register here

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

Following peace deal, talks on Libya’s political future begin

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from UN News

Talks to draw up a blueprint for a new political era in Libya began in Tunisia on Monday [November 9], following a peace deal struck by Libya’s warring sides last month [See CPNN October 17]


(Click on image to enlarge)

“You have gathered today to continue forging a new era of peace and stability for Libya. You have the opportunity to end a tragic conflict and create a future of dignity and hope”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message to participants of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.

“Now it is your turn to shape the future of your country. Your commitment to this process will help restore Libyan sovereignty and the democratic legitimacy of Libyan institutions. As you engage in dialogue to resolve your differences, your determination will be tested.

Future ‘is now in your hands’

“However, compromise is the only approach that will pave the road to national unity”, he said. “The future of Libya is now in your hands.”

Tunisian President Qais Said, opening the meeting, said the talks would lead to a new legitimacy for Libya.

The country has been beset by chaos and conflict since the downfall of long-time Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, culminating in a civil war and the siege of the Libyan capital Tripoli which began in April last year.

(article continued in right column)

Question for this article:

What is being done for peace in Libya?

(article continued from left column)

The head of the UN mission in Libya, Stephanie Williams, told the meeting that it was a time of rare optimism, a glimmer of hope after many years of crisis.

New national vote

“The overriding aim of the National Political Programme is to renew political legitimacy by holding national elections, within an agreed timeframe”, she said.

Acting UN Special Representative Williams presided over a breakthrough peace agreement between five senior commanders from either side, at a meeting in Geneva last month. She arrived at the political talks in Tunis fresh from another successful round of military negotiations in the Libyan city of Ghadames, she said.

“Every day cooperation is increasing, and the transformation of the 5+5 into the ‘group of 10’ is more than just a slogan; it is a reality”, Ms. Williams said.

“The new government will launch national reconciliation, combat corruption, and restore public services. Its progress will be monitored; its work will be reviewed on a regular basis by mechanisms that can hold it to account.”

Executive body

In a statement released late on Sunday, Ms. Williams said that over the past two days she had been taking note of the participants’ suggestions about what the political talks should aim to achieve, including the creation of an executive authority capable of organizing elections and implementing the political, economic and military reforms necessary to bring some normalcy back to Libyans’ lives.

The participants had stressed the importance of designing a thorough roadmap for the political process and to develop a national charter based on the principles of accountability, justice and human rights and a firm commitment to a civilian state.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Mideast, United Nations,