A/HRC/27/63
37.
Some concrete suggestions were made to review the verbs introducing the various
paragraphs of the preamble and to replace “recalling” by “reaffirming” in some instances.
38.
Non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders expressed their support for
the inclusion in the preamble of a reference to the Declaration on the Right of Peoples to
Peace as well as to the Declaration on the Right to Development.
39.
Several non-governmental organizations requested the inclusion of a paragraph
referring to the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, which states that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of
men that the defences of peace must be constructed”, a statement also to be found in the
Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace. They also suggested adding a
reference to the United Nations Millennium Declaration (General Assembly resolution 55/2
of 8 September 2000).
40.
One non-governmental organization proposed mentioning, in a new paragraph
within the preamble, the right to life as enshrined in article 3 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and in article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights.
B.
Article 1
41.
At its 2nd meeting, on 30 June 2014, the working group proceeded with the
consideration of article 1 of the draft declaration. At the outset, the Chair-Rapporteur made
reference to the instruments on which the article was based, namely, the Charter of the
United Nations, the two International Covenants and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
42.
A number of delegations welcomed the wording of the article and expressed support
for its content. However, delegations discussed proposals to better balance individual and
collective aspects of the proposed right.
43.
Delegations proposed specific language to redraft the article in order to streamline
its content. One delegation noted that a reference to terrorism was missing from the text and
proposed specific language to be inserted.
44.
Non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders favoured maintaining some
notions included in the draft declaration on the right to peace prepared by the Advisory
Committee, including peace education and training, the right to life and to develop
peacefully in social and international order, and the prohibition of the use of force.
C.
Article 2
45.
Introducing the discussion on article 2, the Chair-Rapporteur stated that human
rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the right to life, had been massively violated
in the context of war and armed conflict. Accordingly, the article was grounded in the
notion of human dignity and the principles of equality and non-discrimination, freedom
from fear and from want, justice and the rule of law. He added that States should undertake
measures to bring about, maintain and enhance conditions of peace for the benefit of people
in need in situations of humanitarian crisis.
46.
Several delegations highlighted the importance of recognizing the notion of human
dignity, while expressing concern about the wording of the article, which intermingled
elements relating to legal principles, aspirations and rights. They provided concrete
suggestions to streamline the wording of the article.
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