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Int’l day of peace marked with call to end region’s conflicts

By JT - Sep 21,2017 - Last updated at Sep 21,2017

Syrian children are seen making the peace sign in the Zaatari refugee camp, some 90km northeast of Amman, recently (Photo courtesy of the UN website)

AMMAN — Every year on September 21, the UN celebrates the International Day of Peace, to enhance the value of peace among nations and peoples, calling for putting an end to conflicts worldwide.

The National Centre for Human Rights Chief Commissioner Mousa Burayzat said that achieving peace and stability among nations is pawned to respecting human rights that were pledged in all Abrahamic religions, international agreements and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

What countries and governments should commit to the most is respecting human rights, which is essential to face challenges brought by the increase of extremism, terrorism, refuge and racism, Burayzat added.

Fatima Dabbas, chairperson of the Jordan Society for Human Rights, said that the UN implemented the day in 1981, following the wars in the world and the Middle East, especially the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian issue, to remind countries and peoples of the importance to settle these conflicts.

She said that peace and security have become an urgent necessity in the world in general and the region in particular, highlighting the wars and internal conflicts that resulted in the displacement, killing and deprivation of millions of people.

In this regard, Dabbas highlighted the importance of guaranteeing the right of return for peoples who left their home countries, so as to reach “real peace” and provide fair opportunities, under international relations that are based on cooperation and justice, according to Petra.

On this year’s occasion, under the theme: “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”, Irina Bokova, UNESCO director general, said that the International Day of Peace celebrates the power of global solidarity for building a peaceful and sustainable world, according to the UNESCO website. 

“This has never been so important at a time of unprecedented challenges. New forces of division have emerged, spreading hatred and intolerance,” Bokova was quoted on the website as saying.

She added that terrorism is fuelling violence, while violent extremism seeks to poison the minds of the vulnerable and young. In the poorest and least-developed parts of the world, climate related natural disasters are compounding existing fragility, increasing forced migration and heightening the risk of violence. 

 

The barriers to peace are complex and steep — not one country can solve them alone. Doing so requires new forms of solidarity and joint action, starting as early as possible, the secretary general said.

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