“World peace is threatened not only by weapons of mass destruction but also by conventional weapons which have led to countless violations of human rights, including the rights to life and to physical integrity. A strong treaty can contribute greatly to international and regional peace, security and stability.” WorldHumansStrongRightsSecurityIntegrityWeaponsMassDestructionIncludingInternationalHuman RightsStabilityConventionalThreatenedViolationWeapons Of Mass DestructionMass DestructionTreatiesViolation Of Human RightsRights To Life Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“The abuse of the veto power has become so predictable that frequently resolutions are not even tabled because of the certainty of a veto against their adoption. Necessary discussion is thereby suppressed. Concerted action by the Security Council, the General Assembly and other United Nations agencies is necessary to prevent major human rights violations, stop ongoing breaches and provide remedies to victims.” HumansActionNationsUnitedRightsSecurityMajorsAbuseVictimHuman RightsCertaintyDiscussionAgencyResolutionRemedyAdoptionUnited NationsCouncilOngoingViolationPredictableAssemblyBreachVetoSecurity CouncilGeneral Assembly Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“One of the problems that we have in the human rights community is that special interests often forget the interests of other victims, and there's competition among victims expressions that are unnecessary.” HumansProblemInterestCommunityForgetRightsSpecialExpressionVictimCompetitionHuman RightsUnnecessarySpecial Interests Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“No country has a perfect report card. While some countries have strong points in specific areas, they may have serious lacunae in other areas. For instance, some countries have made enormous progress on civil and political rights, but lag in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights.” MayMadeCountryPoliticalStrongSocialPerfectRightsProgressEconomicSeriousAreasEnormousCardsInstanceReportsImplementationLagPolitical RightsReport Cards Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Democracy is not the end product, but the means to the end, which is the enjoyment of human rights by all.” HumansMeanEndsDemocracyRightsProductsHuman RightsEnjoyment Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Without peace and the rule of law, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights cannot be enjoyed, when killing, maiming and mutual poisoning prevail.” LawPoliticalSocialRightsEconomicKillingEnjoyedMutualRule Of LawPoisoning Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“The drafting of a legally binding instrument concerning the human rights impacts of the activities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises has been proposed. Such a treaty or convention should strengthen the United Nations “protect, respect and remedy” framework of the Guiding Principles, which were unanimously endorsed by the Human Rights Council in 2011.” HumansRightsActivityNegativeImpactHuman RightsCorporationsTransnational Corporations Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Specific protection must be granted to human rights defenders and whistleblowers who have in some contexts been accused of being unpatriotic, whereas they perform, in reality, a democratic service to their countries and to the enjoyment of human rights of their compatriots.” HumansCountryRealityRightsDemocraticHuman RightsProtectionGrantedEnjoymentAccusedDefendersUnpatrioticWhistleblowers Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“The mandate entails a generous synthesis of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The title requires the expert to be truly independent, keep an open mind, conduct his/her research objectively and without ideological prejudices, listen to all sides of an argument and seek the opinion of all stakeholders. The essence of an independent expert is not merely his/her expertise - which must be considered a given - but the faculty of thinking outside the box, while rigorously respecting the terms of reference laid down in the resolution establishing the mandate, and observing the code of conduct of rapporteurs.” MindPoliticalSocialSidesOpinionRightsEconomicResearchArgumentPrejudiceIndependentTitlesGenerousExpertsOpen MindIdeologicalMandatesSynthesisKeep An Open MindStakeholder Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas
“Respect for human rights requires transparent and accountable institutions and governance as well as the effective participation of all individuals and civil society, who are an essential part of realizing social and people-centred sustainable development.” PeopleHumansWellsIndividualSocialRealizingRightsDevelopmentEssentialsInstitutionsHuman RightsParticipationGovernanceTransparentSustainable DevelopmentCivil Society Author:Alfred-Maurice de Zayas