Human Rights Day 2015

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Today, on Human Rights day, I would like to reflect on our mission and diligence in our work in the field. From holding trainings on humanitarian law in the Philippines, to preventing gender-based violence in South Sudan, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) fights for human rights every day in our mission to:

1.) Protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies,
2.) Build peace side-by-side with local communities, and
3.) Advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity.

(Published Dec. 10, 2015)
This December 10th is especially memorable as it marks the 50th anniversary of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, for which the UN has chosen the motto: “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” According to the UN: “At its core, freedom underpins the International Bill of Human Rights – freedom from fear, freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom from want.”

We celebrate this day with the confidencethat Nonviolent Peaceforce’s continued efforts will represent “...a new and powerful alternative to stop violence and human rights abuses before they reach crisis levels.”

Happy Human Rights Day!

Sincerely,

Doris Mariani
CEO Nonviolent Peaceforce