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IPB Statement on Recent Escalation in West Asia

18 April 2024, Germany

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) is deeply concerned over the continued escalation and open violation of international law in West Asia. Both the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria and Iran’s launching of missiles and drones from its own soil toward Israel represent blatant attempts to exacerbate tensions and expand direct confrontation to a regional scale. We unequivocally condemn these actions and demand that all states involved, both directly and indirectly, reject any further military responses and make use of diplomatic channels for immediate de-escalation.

We reiterate the complex and prolonged nature of regional conflicts in West Asia and underline that any attempt to solve these disputes through military action risks throwing not only the region into direct and deadly conflict, but also states outside the region. Any such war would result in immeasurable death and suffering of innocent people and an acute risk of nuclear weapons use which would put the entire planet at risk. States in the region must recognize that they cannot choose their neighbors and must instead work toward a policy of common security for all in the region.

Long-term solutions for peace in the region are only possible in a climate of peace when the active violence of Israel’s assault on Gaza and ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people has stopped. We therefore reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations in Gaza that create the necessary space for discussions on long-term solutions that preserve the humanity and underline the need for common security of all Palestinians, Israelis, and peoples of the region.

C7 Statement to the G7 Foreign Ministers

14 April 2024. Ahead of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Capri, 17-19 April 2024, we, the C7 (Civil7), issue a statement with our recommendations to call on the G7 Foreign Ministers to take concrete actions to promote human rights and the common interests of humanity and the planet for a more peaceful, just and secure future.

Please refer to the statement (PDF) from here.

War Costs Us The Earth · GDAMS Statement 2024

War Costs Us The Earth · GDAMS Statement 2024

Disarmament now to save people and planet

Humanity is at a crossroads where political decisions on defence budgets will determine the trajectory of the multiple crises in which we are immersed.

Wars and armed conflicts are devastating whole regions of the world. Global military spending has increased by 19 percent between 2013 and 2022 according to SIPRI figures, and has risen every year since 2015. Yet, from Gaza to Ukraine, the DRC, Sudan, Myanmar, or Manipur, this has done nothing to resolve persistent conflicts nor reduce global tensions. Instead, increased military expenditure and intensifying militarism have only increased the volatility of global peace and cooperation. Rising temperatures are modifying climatic patterns in a profound and extreme way. Millions of people are already experiencing the disastrous consequences of climate change and environmental degradation, amplified further by violent conflict. We must act now.These fluctuating weather and climatic patterns have direct repercussions on whether territories can remain habitable as well as on the future of decent and sustainable living conditions for all.

Sean MacBride Awarding Ceremony 2024

Berlin, 22 March 2024 – The recent award ceremony honored peace activists, recognizing their dedication to promoting conscientious objection and advocating for peace.

Left leaders, intellectuals demand: ‘Free Boris Kagarlitsky and all anti-war political prisoners in Russia’

Boris Kagarlitsky International Solidarity Campaign

March 23, 2024 | For immediate release

An international campaign for the freeing from prison of well-known Russian intellectual, writer and anti-war activist Boris Kagarlitsky, along with all other jailed opponents of the war in Ukraine, was launched on March 11 by the Boris Kagarlitsky International Solidarity Campaign.

PETITION IN SUPPORT OF BORIS KAGARLITSKY

On February 13, the court overturned the previous decision on release and sent Boris Kagarlitsky to prison for five years. Sign the petition for his release.

Sign the petition now for his release: https://freeboris.info/

March 8, 2024 – International Women‘s Day

CSP WG women and gender realities

In 1914, the celebration of March 8th turned into a demonstration against the arrest of Rosa Luxemburg who spoke out against weapons and imperialist wars.

In 1975, the United Nations proclaimed March 8 the „Day of the United Nations for the rights of women and world peace!“

We as women and partners from NGOs in different conflict zones in the OSCE area (from the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, to Western Europe) are aware of the complex relationship between women’s rights and peace. It’s evident to us that women are often the first to bear the brunt of the devastating repercussions of these conflicts. We continuously invest in gendered conflict analysis and are committed to stop economic, physical, psychological and sexual violence that women face every day. We protest against the destruction of our natural environments and the lack of economic security, social and health services. Together, we do our best to investigate and document crimes systematically.

In 2024, we oppose the alarming surge in militarism, which not only leads to cuts in essential social services but also diverts funds intended for environmental sustainability and climate justice towards weaponry and military alliances. The increasing reliance on nuclear deterrence instead of embracing disarmament treaties like the TPNW poses a grave threat to the entire planet. We firmly reject the notion of preparing for war and advocate solely for preparations for peace.

2 Years of War in Ukraine – A Pacifist Comment

Participation of unarmed pacifist forces in implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula (A statement, adopted by the general assembly of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement on 24 February 2024)

Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, bearing in mind the axiom that peace is not equal to war (Peace≠war), supports and will implement in our activities the values of peace, democracy, and justice, declared in the Ukrainian peace formula of President Zelensky.
We agree with condemnation of Russian aggression, demands of withdrawal of troops and compensations of damages.
Nobody could feel safe while the war is considered normal and dictates its rules of lawlessness.
We will act on the basis of belief that democratic society and democratic world must be united for common good and common security.
We will resist nonviolently to Russian aggression and all forms of militarism and war.
We will support preservation and development of democracy. We will protect human rights and rule of law.
Pacifism is a vital part of diversity of thoughts and beliefs in the democratic society. We will preserve pacifist identity, which gives hope for better future without wars, and we will uphold our right to refuse to kill.

UKRAINIAN PACIFIST MOVEMENT

Emmanuel Macron on a war drift: irresponsible statements dangerous to peace.

Statement of Le Mouvement de la Paix following President Macron’s declarations concerning the dispatch of ground troops to Ukraine last February 27, 2024

At the end of a summit of heads of state and government organized in Paris by Emmanuel Macron in support of Ukraine on February 26, 2024, the French head of state made some extremely serious remarks at a press conference.

While claiming to want to “avoid any escalation”, President Macron displayed his determination to mobilize European countries to provide further military support to Ukraine. He repeatedly stated his objective: “Russia cannot and must not win this war”, adding that “everything is possible, if it is useful to achieve our objective”, including sending ground troops.

Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) 2024 Action Plan

From 70th year of Bikini Tragedy to 80th year of Hiroshima/Nagasaki. Gensuikyo’s 2024 Action Plan to achieve a nuclear weapon-free world, marking the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Bikini Tragedy and toward the next year, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Next year, 2025, will mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We have to make the anniversary a year of great transition for achieving a “world without nuclear weapons” to meet the wish of the Hibakusha to abolish nuclear weapons in their lifetime. Towards 2025, let us start a nationwide campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons by developing discussion, dialogue and the signature campaign across Japan on the occasion of the 70th year of the Bikini tragedy as it triggered the nationwide movement to ban atomic and hydrogen bombs.