A/HRC/27/63
of the new approach, focusing on the right to life and peace. They deemed it important to
recognize the exceptions to the prohibition of the use of force, including the exercise of the
right to self-defence and the use of force authorized by the Security Council. Several
delegations considered that the focus needed to be on the interrelated nature of human
rights, peace and development and on the ways to promote peace.
23.
Broad support was expressed for the new concise and focused text as a significant
improvement over the previous draft text, prepared by the Advisory Committee
(A/HRC/20/31) and as a basis for further discussion during the current session. Delegations
welcomed the fact that a number of ambiguous issues included in the Advisory
Committee’s draft text that did not currently enjoy international consensus were no longer
to be found in the new text, and considered that it was not appropriate to include in that text
controversial issues or concepts lacking in clarity that were still being discussed in other
forums. Two delegations welcomed the inclusion of the notions of human dignity, the role
of women in the construction of peace and the role of education. One delegation expressed
the wish that only language based on established principles of international law be used.
24.
While most delegations welcomed the document, some felt that important elements
should not be omitted in the interest of brevity and asked that fundamental principles be
preserved. Some opined that the text should refer to the importance of respecting the
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of sovereign States, as
established by the Charter of the United Nations. They also felt that the right to
development should be reinforced. Some preferred a direct reference to the Declaration on
the Right of Peoples to Peace.
25.
The representatives of non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders that
contributed to the discussion shared the sentiment that the new draft added little towards
constituting the right to peace. They regretted the absence of a clear reference to the right to
peace in the text and considered that the declaration needed to provide a conceptual
definition of that right. Preference was expressed for the restitution of some of the
important elements of the draft declaration prepared by the Advisory Committee, which had
enjoyed wide support from civil society. Some representatives also proposed that the
content of the draft declaration be aligned with its title. In addition, some of them proposed
working with the notion of the right to live in peace.
26.
In closing the general debate, the Chair-Rapporteur reiterated his belief that the
current draft before the working group had a strong legal basis. He restated his role as a
facilitator and invited everyone to express their views and make their contribution to the
collective effort.
IV. First reading of the new text prepared by the ChairRapporteur of the open-ended intergovernmental working
group on a draft United Nations declaration on the right
to peace
27.
At its 2nd meeting, on 30 June 2014, and at its 3rd meeting, on 1 July 2014, the
working group proceeded with the first reading of the new text prepared by the ChairRapporteur of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on a draft United Nations
declaration on the right to peace. At the outset, the Chair-Rapporteur indicated how he
intended to proceed with the first reading, starting with the operative part, followed by the
preambular part. He reiterated that nothing would be agreed upon until everything was
agreed upon. Some delegations noted that they would be offering only preliminary
comments at that stage, whilst still awaiting instructions from their capitals.
7
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