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		No 1, 2003

04 Feb 2012, 07:10 AM

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Editorial

WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and

to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and

to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and

to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

AND FOR THESE ENDS

to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and

to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and

to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and

to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS

On the terrible rubble of World War II – with its 52 million dead and 3 million missing people, with 35 million left crippled by their injuries, with 167 cities in Germany alone reduced by bombing to mere black skeletons, and millions of impoverished emaciated children – the United Nations came to the agreement that the UN treaties would serve to prevent future wars.

The numerous treaties and paragraphs have banished war as a means of solving conflicts from the lives of peoples in the world: conflicts must be resolved around the negotiating table. Peoples all over the world are aware of this. Accordingly, a resounding ‹No to War› can be heard in all countries, even in those whose governments have become war-mongers.

On 12 September 2002 Switzerland became a full membership of the United Nations. Since the foundation of the Red Cross Switzerland has endeavoured to contribute towards more humanity in the world. The efforts of all countries to restrain the monstrosity of war by means of the Geneva Conventions have been a significant step in the direction of the modern age.

Hence, Switzerland today is under a twofold obligation to do everything within its powers to safeguard peace and to prevent war: On the one hand, Switzerland has a tradition of initiating negotiations and conferences on neutral ground, of contributing to relieving conflicts with its good services and providing humanitarian aid neutrally. On the other hand, however, it is also under obligation to ensure that the spirit of the UN charta of 1945 is respected and that all instruments to prevent war are used. The fact that the newly appointed Swiss Federal Councillor Calmy-Rey has undertaken steps in this direction must be interpreted as a sign of hope providing new confidence.

Those who recklessly engage in war propaganda these days or who follow it in a fatalistic manner, would be well advised to study the times when the United Nations was founded and to take a closer look at the state of the world at the end of World War II: There is no justification whatsoever for setting in motion war, the terrible scourge of humanity. All of us – the people, parliaments, governments - are called upon to say no to war.