On Special Days for Peace and Justice: July 17th and Sept 21st
By george wesley dannells on Jul 17, 2008 in Baha'i Views
New York, 17 July 2008 - Secretary-General’s remarks at the commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Thank you, Mr. President of the Assembly of States Parties, Mr. President of the Court, Mr. Prosecutor of the ICC, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,I am honoured to welcome you here at United Nations Headquarters to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
This milestone provides an occasion for celebration as well as for reflection. The creation of the ICC is unquestionably one of the major achievements of international law during the past century. But this young Court remains a work in progress; a fragile part of a crucial and ongoing effort to entrench international law and justice.
This fight against impunity started in earnest with the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda. These courts pioneered the emergence of international criminal justice, and the enforcement of international humanitarian law.
Their ground-breaking work led to the establishment of other forums to fight impunity. The hybrid courts established in Sierra Leone and Cambodia benefited from the experience of the original tribunals, and demonstrated the growing reach of international criminal law.
The success of these ad-hoc tribunals demonstrated the international community’s determination to address international crimes, and provided the path to a permanent forum for investigating and prosecuting these crimes - the International Criminal Court.
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp
Today is a special day, the 10th Anniversary of the founding of the ICC. Baha’is should take notice and celebrate, given the involvement of the Baha’i community in the promotion of this Court. Justice and peace, peace and justice. Those were watchwords in the household I grew up in. They continue to be watchwords in the community I embraced as a young man, that same Baha’i Community. -gw
The U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office encourages people to join thousands around the globe in preparing vigils and observations for the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon recently called on all “…governments, communities and individuals to start preparing concrete activities” in recognition of the day. To answer this call, the U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office, a non-government organization (NGO) that represents the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States at the U.N., encourages religious individuals and communities to commit to holding a 24-hour peace vigil on Sept. 21. Participants can register their commitments and view those of others around the globe at http://www.idpvigil.com/commitments/commitmentCenter.html.
Peace is a central focus in the Bahá’í teachings. Bahá’u'lláh, the Founder of the Faith, proclaimed that one of God’s purposes in sending the Prophets is to “ensure the peace and tranquility of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established.”
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations.
• Learn more about the International Day of Peace Vigils.
• Read the Universal House of Justice statement, The Promise of World Peace.
• Learn more about the U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office (requires login).
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