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Sierra Leone: New Anti-Democratic Law to Silence Critics

By: Africanist Press | 23 January 2024

The Sierra Leone Parliament has recently endorsed a controversial Counter Terrorism Act, which threatens the fundamental civil rights of citizens and grants sweeping powers to the state to silence opposition. This legislation, passed with little public consultation, could criminalize free speech, labeling dissent as terrorism. Its provisions target journalists, academics, and any individuals or groups the government deems a threat to national security. This bill is seen as a direct assault on freedoms of expression and academic inquiry in Sierra Leone.

IPB Condemns the Violent Attack on Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme: Call for Accountability and Justice in Cameroon

Cameroon | 20 January 2025

The recent violent burglary at the offices of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme (NDH-Cameroon) is a grave assault on human rights defenders and civil society. This act, aimed at silencing NDH’s critical work, highlights the growing threats faced by NGOs advocating for justice and freedom.

As the International Peace Bureau (IPB), we strongly condemn this attack and call for a thorough investigation by the authorities to ensure accountability in Cameroon. We urge all institutions to respect the rights of NGOs to operate free from fear and intimidation.

We stand in solidarity with NDH-Cameroon, including our IPB Council Member and Executive Director of NDH-Cameroon, Cyrille Roland Bechon, along with all its members and community. We reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of all human rights defenders in the face of such challenges.

Podcast Episode: Community Voices: IPB Calls for Unity and Peace in Liberia’s House of Representatives

By: Africanist Press

In this episode, Africanist Press, with Tyson Smith Berry Jr., IPB Council Member, explores critical issues in Liberia. The IPB has urged members of Liberia’s House of Representatives to unite and address the ongoing parliamentary deadlock that has stalled legislative activities since October 2024.

Tyson delves into the petition, emphasizing the importance of unity and peace in the Liberian House of Representatives and highlighting why collaboration between the Reform and Loyalist Blocs is crucial for the country’s future.

Listen now:

1. To listen on Spotify, click here.

2. To listen on Amazon, click here.

Join the movement! Sign our urgent call for action in Liberia to support unity and progress. Together, we can make a difference.

https://bit.ly/signthecall-Liberia

We thank you, Africanist Press for this collaboration.

Sign the Call: Urgent Call for Unity and Action for the Betterment of Liberia

You can sign the call here.

Since October 2024, Liberia’s House of Representatives has faced leadership struggles, escalating tensions, and growing public distrust. Protests, a fire at the parliament, and deep divisions highlight the urgent need for action.

This letter calls on the leaders of the Reform and Loyalist Blocs to unite and address vital issues such as economic development, education, healthcare, anti-corruption, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment. By signing and sharing, YOU contribute your voice to a collective call for Liberia’s leaders to put aside differences and prioritize the nation’s future. This petition is open for signatures from individuals and organizations until 24 January 2025.

Join us in advocating for meaningful change and national unity in Liberia.

Legislative Deadlock and Democratic Challenges in Liberia’s House of Representatives: October 2024 to Present

By Tyson Smith Berry Jr., Executive Director, 4Kids International/Council Member, International Peace Bureau

Since October 2024, Liberia’s House of Representatives has faced a serious democratic crisis filled with leadership conflicts, internal rifts, and growing public frustration. This turmoil has not only interrupted the legislative process but has also raised significant concerns about the stability of Liberia’s democratic institutions and governance.

In Memoriam: Federico Mayor Zaragoza

“We must move from the law of the jungle to that of understanding, dialogue, and listening, to the conviction that people understand each other by talking”

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) deeply mourns the passing of close friend and dedicated culture of peace advocate Federico Mayor Zaragoza. As Director of UNESCO from 1987 until 1999, he centered the importance of education as a tool for development, peace and human security. In 2000, he founded the Fundación Cultura de Paz, dedicated to promoting a culture of peace and building dialogue and understanding between cultures and peoples, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and women’s involvement in a culture of peace. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on several occasions, including by IPB.

For IPB, Federico represented a beacon of hope for peace and international cooperation and we were proud to work with him frequently over the years. In 1999, his speech at the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference opened up doors for international partnership with UNESCO on the Global Campaign for Peace Education. He welcomed IPB into the Ubuntu Civil Society Network and helped organized our 2016 and 2021 World Peace Congresses in Berlin and Barcelona. His speeches inspired – but even more, they provided hope and concrete actions for a more peaceful future.

We honor his legacy and his lifetime of contributions to peace, justice, and cultural dialogue. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

Federico Mayor, December 2024

“We, the peoples, have resolved to save future generations from the scourge of war”. – UN Charter

When everything appeared

indecipherable, irreversible,

dark and meaningless,

radiantly arose in every human being

the light of the extraordinary mystery

of life

Suddenly, renewed hope

on new paths

on a personal and collective scale.

Now, duty of memory, for urgent action.

Now, at last, the power of the word

and never again that of arms.

Now, yes now, “we, the peoples”,

equal in dignity.

Introducing Austria’s First Peace Atlas: A Pathway to Peace

Austria has taken a significant step forward in promoting peace with the launch of its first-ever Peace Atlas (Friedensatlas Österreich), a groundbreaking civil society project. This evolving initiative serves as a beacon for those seeking practical examples of nonviolent resistance, successful peace projects, and essential information on organizations dedicated to peace, human rights, environmental protection, women’s rights, and social justice.

The Peace Atlas is more than just a directory; it’s a collection of “Best Practices of Peace”. It maps out inspiring peace-promoting actions across Austria, such as acts of nonviolent resistance, transformative educational programs, legal reforms, and environmental initiatives. The Atlas highlights the deep connections between peace, social justice, the fair treatment of migrants, gender equality, and climate protection.

By showcasing these examples, the Peace Atlas aims to inspire individuals to incorporate peace-promoting actions into their daily lives and develop their projects for a more just and harmonious world. Organizations like AbFaNG and others are available to support those ready to embark on this path.

Explore the Peace Atlas and take the first step towards making peace a reality. Visit: www.friedensatlas.at

Give Peace a Chance!

In Memoriam: Fritz Edlinger

Austrian publicist, author, and peace activist | 1948-2024

With AbFaNG and the peace activists’ families, we mourn the passing of Fritz Edlinger, a dedicated journalist, author, and passionate advocate for peace, who left us on December 4th. As the editor of the magazine International and a committed left-wing social democrat, Fritz worked tirelessly to amplify voices and promote understanding, particularly in the Arab world.

His unwavering dedication extended to supporting cultural initiatives and advocating for a peaceful and just world. Even in his final days, Fritz remained deeply engaged in his mission, speaking at the opening of the Palestinian Film Week in Vienna, a project he organized.

We honor his legacy and his lifetime of contributions to peace, justice, and cultural dialogue. Fritz’s voice and vision will be deeply missed, but his work will continue to inspire us.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.

Statement from the International Peace Bureau (IPB) on the Current Situation in Syria and Aspirations for Its Future

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) celebrates alongside the Syrian people the end of the Assad regime’s rule and brutal crackdown in Syria – the scenes of liberation produce hope of a national recovery and transformation to a new inclusive and democratic future for Syrians. The nation has endured immense suffering since the outbreak of conflict in 2011. The initial protests’ rapid escalation into a devastating civil war has already resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, the displacement of millions both internally and externally, and the near-total destruction of the country’s infrastructure.

A Needed Step to Strengthen the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) Regime

By: Enkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan, IPB Board Member and Blue Banner Chairman

Growing importance of NWFZs

Nuclear-weapon-free zones (NWFZs) are important and practical regional measures of non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWSs) in promoting the goals of maintaining strategic stability, nuclear non-proliferation and strengthening confidence among states. Today there are more than 115 states the territories of which cover about 84 mln km²of the world’s landmass, representing 39% of its population and making up almost 60% of United Nations membership. Thus much has been achieved in the past half a century. However, the past rich experience should serve as a tool of strengthening and broadening further the NWFZ regime leading to creating a nuclear-weapon-free-world (NWFW). When oceans and seas that cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface are to be included, the NWFZ regime would cover most of the NWFW.