Yesterdays´news – IPB – International Peace Bureau

Civil Society Statement on Nuclear Weapons Prohibition

By: Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, Released on October 23, 2024

On October 23, 2024, a statement was released by civil society organizations emphasizing the urgent need to prohibit nuclear weapons and denouncing the Kremlin’s nuclear blackmail. Published in both Ukrainian and English, the statement underscores the importance of upholding Ukraine’s historical commitment to remaining a nuclear-free state.

The Ukrainian Movement of Pacifists strongly reaffirms Ukraine’s adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and condemns any discourse advocating for the development of nuclear weapons within Ukraine. This statement serves as a call to honor Ukraine’s obligations under international law and resist all forms of nuclear speculation, which jeopardize global peace and security.

Read the full statement in Ukrainian and English:

Click on the button to load the content from www.civilni.media.

Load content

Investing in Peace: IPB’s Role in Challenging EU Militarization at the European Left’s Summer University

Article from August 2024

The European Left and its foundation transform!europe held their Summer University in Mieres del Camino (Spain) on July 11th, 12th, and 13th. Chloé Meulewaeter, the GCOMS coordinator at the International Peace Bureau (IPB), participated in the plenary titled: “Investing in Peace, not in War! An analysis of the militarization of the EU.“

The session was moderated by Marga Ferré, Co-president of transform!europe (Spain), and featured several speakers: Claudia Haydt, Vice-president of the European Left and coordinator of its Peace Working Group (Germany); Gavin Rae, from the Nazprod Foundation (Poland); and Niamh Ní Bhriain, Programme Coordinator on War and Pacification at the Transnational Institute (Ireland).

During the plenary, Chloé Meulewaeter discussed the militarization of the European Union, highlighting how the arms industry lobby influences EU institutions to promote the narrative that “security is the precondition of any sustainability” in order to access the EU’s sustainable finances. Additionally, The Transnational Institute emphasized the urgent need to invest in peace rather than war, advocating for the isolation of Israel by cutting off funding to entities that perpetuate violence, in order to end the conflict in Gaza and promote true security.

SIGN THE CALL – Lex Innocentium (Law of the Innoncents), 21 Century

We invite you to join us as a signatory of Lex Innocentium, 21st Century and lend your voice to this global call for an end to war. Inspired by the original Lex Innocentium (Law of the Innocents), first proclaimed at the Synod of Birr in Ireland in AD 697, this renewed declaration stands against war in all its forms.

Civil Society Statement on Calling for the Commencement of Preparations for the UN’s Fourth Special Session on Disarmament

UNGA First Committee on Disarmament and International Security Delivered by Rafi Chowdhury, International Peace Bureau

Chairperson, distinguished delegates,

I present this statement on behalf of 175 civil society representatives and a coalition of organizations from around the world. We urge all member states to activate the UN General Assembly mechanism of Special Sessions on Disarmament without further procrastination, as per the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Action 26(a) of the Pact for the Future.

Nobel Peace Prize 2024 Award to Nihon Hidankyo and the Fight Against Nuclear Weapons

Statement by Alain ROUY, National Secretary of the “Mouvement de la Paix” (France), Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize 2024 to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo is a well-deserved reward for the hibakushas who have been warning against the use of nuclear weapons for decades.

We are living at a crucial moment when some are considering the use of nuclear weapons in ongoing conflicts, and when the nuclear powers are engaged in “modernizing” and increasing their nuclear arsenals.

This is particularly true of France, which is preparing to double its spending on nuclear weapons (7 billion euros in 2025, compared with 3.5 billion in 2017), with the terrifying goal of spending 100 billion in 15 years on nuclear weapons.

We have to say no to this infernal arms race and develop international mobilizations for the elimination of nuclear weapons. In France, we are asking our government to take into consideration the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which came into force on January 22, 2021 and has already been signed by 94 countries and ratified by 73. France must take its turn in this process, first by participating as an observer in the meetings of the States Parties to the TIAN, to join it.

Following on the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the international ICAN campaign, the Nobel Prize 2024 is a powerful encouragement and support for all those fighting for a world finally free of nuclear weapons.

Déclaration de Alain ROUY, secrétaire national du “Mouvement de la Paix” (France), vice-président du Bureau International de la Paix

L’attribution du Prix Nobel de la Paix 2024 à l’organisation japonaise Nihon Hidankyo est une récompense méritée pour les hibakushas qui par leur témoignage mettent en garde depuis des décennies contre l’usage des armes nucléaires.

Nous vivons un moment crucial où certains envisagent l’utilisation des armes nucléaires dans les conflits en cours et où les puissances nucléaires sont engagées dans la “modernisation” et l’augmentation de leurs arsenaux nucléaires.

C’est en particulier le cas de la France qui s’apprête à doubler ses dépenses consacrées aux armes nucléaires ( 7 milliards d’euros en 2025 contre 3,5 milliards en 2017), avec l’objectif terrifiant de dépenser 100 milliards en 15 ans pour les armes nucléaires.

Il faut dire non à cette course infernale aux armements et développer les mobilisations internationales pour l’élimination des armes nucléaires. En France, nous demandons à notre gouvernement de prendre en considération le Traité sur l’Interdiction des Armes Nucléaires (TIAN)entré en vigueur le 22 janvier 2021 et déjà signé par 94 Etats et ratifié par 73. La France doit s’engager à son tour dans ce processus, d’abord en participant comme observateur aux réunions des Etats-parties au TIAN, avec l’objectif de le rejoindre.

Après le prix Nobel de la Paix de 2017 attribué à la campagne internationale ICAN, le Prix Nobel 2024constitue une aide et un puissant encouragement pour tous ceux qui luttent pour un monde enfin débarrassé des armes nucléaires.

Statement by Alain ROUY, National Secretary of the “Mouvement de la Paix” (France), Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau Download

Nihon Hidankyo is also an organizational member of the International Peace Bureau. The Hibakushas deserve this award, and it is about time to recognize their efforts and the legacy they live for — never again, no to nuclear weapons and yes to peace.

Global NATO: Implications for the Asia-Pacific (Part 2)

27 September 2024, Webinar

The webinar explored NATO’s expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific through political and military partnerships, as highlighted by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who emphasized shared security threats between the region and Europe. Despite their recent involvement, countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have historically had little connection to NATO’s traditional security agenda. The event featured discussions on NATO’s presence in the Western Pacific, Australia, the Philippines, South Korea, and neighboring countries, alongside alternative security approaches presented by Anu Chenoy. Speakers included Cora Fabros (IPB), Anu Chenoy (Asia Europe Peoples Forum), Francis Daehoon Lee (PEACEMOMO), Annette Brownlie (Independent and Peaceful Australia Network), Djoanna Janier (Stop the War Coalition Philippines), Theresa Arriola, (Our Common Wealth)moderated by Gene Gesiste Jr. and Michelle Clemente.

Watch the full live streamed:

Read the speech shared by some of our speakers:

Standing at the Crossroads NATO Expansion and the Philippines’ Role in the Pursuit of Peace [1]Download

IPB-AEPF Overview GLOBAL NATO Download

Summit of the Future Side Event Report Back: Advocating for SSOD-IV

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) participated in the Action Days and the Summit of the Future held in New York from September 20 to 23. During this pivotal event, we engaged in various activities and organized two significant events, one of which was an official offsite side event featured on the Action Days calendar.

Our official offsite side event “Reversing the Doomsday Clock: Nuclear Disarmament and the Need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament” aimed to advocate for a nuclear-weapon-free world and stronger disarmament commitments, calling for the convening of a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). It took place in the beautiful and warmly welcoming Church of the Covenant on the afternoon of Saturday, September 21.

The event was co-sponsored by the Republic of Kiribati, International Peace Bureau (IPB), SCRAP Weapons (SOAS University of London), Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF), Parliament of the World’s Religions, Agora Mexico and was supported by many other partners like Reverse the Trend (RTT), Justice for All, Agora Mexico, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung NY (RLSNY), the Episcopal Church, NGO Committee on Human Rights to the UN, NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, and Committee of Religious NGOs to the UN.

This gathering aimed to unite diverse stakeholders, including member states, civil society representatives, and experts in disarmament, to address the urgent need for a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament (SSOD-IV). As the UN Secretary-General stated, the Summit of the Future and its accompanying Pact for the Future offer a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for member states and multistakeholders to come together and drive substantial global action.

In Memoriam: Peter Becker (1945-2024)

Peter Becker, a renowned German lawyer and tireless advocate for peace and disarmament, passed away in 2024. Best known for his anti-nuclear work, the International Peace Bureau awarded him the 2011 Sean MacBride Peace Prize.

Becker’s legal career spanned over four decades, during which he became a leading authority in administrative and energy law. He successfully represented over a thousand students in numerous cases. He played a key role in energy law after German reunification, helping establish Becker Büttner Held (BBH), Germany’s top energy law firm.

In his peace work, Becker challenged the presence of U.S. nuclear weapons in Germany, representing cases aimed at stopping nuclear activities in Büchel and Ramstein. Though the cases were dismissed, his efforts sparked significant public awareness.

Peter Becker’s legacy as a peace advocate and legal pioneer will continue to inspire.

Read the Orbituary from IALANA: https://ialana.de/aktuell

Traueranzeige für Peter Becker 20240925 Download

PRESS RELEASE: Climate and Peace Groups Join Togetherin First Global Week of Action

Berlin, September 21st, 2024

Peace and climate movements are taking action together in the first Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice to highlight the connections between their causes.

The week runs from 21-28 September, with more than 50 events planned across five continents, in countries including Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany, Malawi, Mexico, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the USA, as well as many online.

The week of action aims to raise awareness of the links between war, militarism, and climate injustice, such as the following:

The world’s wealthiest countries have repeatedly failed to provide $100bn in promised climate finance to help countries adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate breakdown. Meanwhile, in 2023 global military spending increased for the ninth year running to $2443bn.
Experts estimate that the world’s militaries are responsible for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. If the world’s militaries were a country, they would have the fourth largest carbon footprint: higher than that of Russia. But militaries are excluded from current climate agreements, so face no accountability for their pollution.

The week also aims to build bridges between peace and climate justice movements, and to build momentum behind the demand to ‘divest from war – invest in climate justice!’

In New York City, there will be events to coincide with the UN Summit of the Future. The Japan-based international NGO Peace Boat will carry out workshops and actions in Tokyo and in the Atlantic Ocean as part of its global voyage for peace. In Mexico, students will create a list of demands directed to the Mexican Congress, asking them to divest funds from the armed forces and reinvest them in environmental public policies. In the UK, vigils will be held in London, Taunton and Bath.

Call to Action on the International Day of Peace

You can sign the call and find the original call in Spanish here.

This September 21, we join in and commemorate the International Day of Peace, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981.

On this day, which holds great significance for humanity, we call on the governments of our continent:

To put an end to the arms race and military spending. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador are the countries with the highest military spending in Latin America. We need money for life— to build schools, hospitals, and meet other urgent needs, not for death.
To end police violence, which continues in many of our countries where there is no real oversight of police actions, impunity prevails, and there are no genuine efforts to ensure police training and actions are in accordance with respect for human rights.
To stop military exercises with the U.S. Southern Command, as well as military and police training for Latin American troops at the School of the Americas, now renamed WHINSEC, or at any other U.S. military academy where violence and war are still promoted as ways to resolve conflicts.
To close and withdraw all U.S. and NATO military bases in Latin America, including U.S. military bases imposed in Guantánamo, Cuba; Soto Cano in Honduras; the bases in Colombia; NAMRU-6 in Peru; in the Malvinas Islands, controlled by the United Kingdom in Argentina; and others. Out of Latin America! Return home, we want peace.
To demand that the U.S., NATO, and all countries end the arms race and war. It is time for the U.S. and NATO, in particular, to end the wars and stop sending weapons to Israel, Ukraine, and other places. It is time for them to act responsibly and make efforts to achieve peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel, and between Russia and Ukraine.
Finally, we call on our governments to lead efforts to advance global disarmament, diplomacy, respect for the self-determination of peoples, the end of unilateral sanctions, and to work toward building a world of peace, solidarity, and social justice.

Let the guns fall silent, end all wars, we want peace!

Click here to sign!