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World Citizens Appeal to Uphold International Humanitarian Law

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, International Justice, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Nonviolence, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, United Nations, War Crimes, World Law on October 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM

By René Wadlow

The armed conflicts in the Middle East: Israel-Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen have led to increased violations of International Humanitarian Law. Medical facilities and medical personnel have been attacked; civilians have been targeted, educational facilities destroyed. Therefore, the Association of World Citizens (AWC) makes an urgent call for the respect of International Humanitarian Law. This must be a joint effort of governments and Nongovernmental Organizations.

Regular military personnel of all countries are theoretically informed of the rules of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, and the Protocol Additional adopted in 1977.

When the 1949 Geneva Conventions were drafted and adopted, it was possible to spell out in considerable detail rules regarding prisoners of war and the protection of civilians, in particular Common Article 3 (so called because it is found in all four Conventions) provides that “each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions: Persons taking no active part in the hostilities … shall in all circumstances be treated humanely without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.”

The importance of Common Article 3 should not be underestimated. It sets out in straightforward terms important protections that all parties to a conflict must respect. In order to meet the need for additional protection, international humanitarian law has evolved to cover not only international armed conflict but also internal armed conflict. Today, international human rights standards are also considered part of international humanitarian law, thus providing additional protection for vulnerable population groups such as women, children, and minorities.

As situations of internal violence and strife proliferate, abuses committed by non-State actors, such as armed militias, are increasing concerns. Fundamental standards of international humanitarian law are intended to ensure the effective protection of human beings in all situations. The standards are clear. (1)

There are two major weaknesses in the effectiveness of international humanitarian law. The first is that many people do not know that it exists and that they are bound by its norms. Thus, there is an important role for greater promotional activities, the dissemination of information through general education, specific training of the military, outreach to armed militias, and cooperation with a wide range of nongovernmental organizations.

The second weakness is that violations of international humanitarian law are rarely punished. Governments too often tolerate these violations. Few soldiers are tried, or courtmartialed, for the violations of international humanitarian law. This weakness is even more true of nongovernmental militias and armed groups.

In fact, most violations of international humanitarian law are not actions of individual soldiers or militia members carried away by a sudden rush of anger, fear, a desire of revenge or a sudden sexual urge to rape a woman. Soldiers and militia members violating the norms of international humanitarian law are acting on orders of their commanders.

Thus, the only sold response is an act of conscience to refuse an order of a military or militia higher up and refuse to torture, to bomb a medical facility, to shoot a prisoner, to harm a child, and to rape a woman. Conscience, that inner voice which discerns what is right from wrong and encourages right action is the value on which we can build the defense of international humanitarian law. The defense of conscience to refuse unjust orders is a large task but a crucial action for moving toward a law-based world society.

Notes

(1) For useful guides to international humanitarian law see:

D. Schindler and J. Toman, The Laws of Armed Conflicts (Martinus Nihjoff Publishers, 1988)

H. McCoubrey and N.D. White, International Law and Armed Conflicts (Dartmouth Publishing Co., 1992)

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

One Year of Israeli-Hamas Armed Conflict

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, Humanitarian Law, International Justice, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Nonviolence, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, War Crimes, World Law on October 6, 2024 at 5:30 PM

By René Wadlow

October 7-8, 2024 will mark one year of armed conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas militia – an armed conflict which grinds on and has spread.

On October 8, 2023, in light of the October 7 Hamas attack and the start of the Israeli response in the Gaza Strip, the Association of World Citizens called for five immediate steps that it hoped would create a climate of dialogue and the start of negotiations in good faith. The proposals were posted on the World Citizens’ website, sent to the Israeli Missions to the United Nations (UN) and to groups that might have avenues of communication with Hamas.

“As Citizens of the World, we call for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian armed conflict;

For the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups;

For the release of all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, often under administrative detention without trial;

For preventing the extension of the conflict to the Lebanon frontier through negotiations with Hezbollah;

For preventing an increase in violence on the West Bank among Israeli settlers and Palestinian villages;

For the start of negotiations in good faith for a political solution that ensures freedom and the collective safety of Israelis and Palestinians.”

(C) Ted Eytan

A year later, the armed violence has increased: in Gaza with a high number of persons killed, wounded and displaced, on the West Bank, in Lebanon, has expanded to Iran and brought in elements of the conflict in Yemen.

There have been relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, of the International Court of Justice, and appeals for a ceasefire and negotiations from many Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs).

Due to the spiraling growth of destruction, as NGOs we must continue and increase our efforts.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

Pact for the Future: A Partly Open Door for NGO-UN Cooperation

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Bridges, Current Events, Human Development, Human Rights, NGOs, Refugees, Religious Freedom, Social Rights, Solidarity, Sustainable Development, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on October 4, 2024 at 6:00 AM

By René Wadlow

The Pact for the Future was accepted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in a three-stage process. The first stage was a nearly year-long drafting of the document with many small revisions in the 56 paragraphs setting out the goal of a renewed UN better able to guarantee peace and development. The second stage was a last moment motion by the Russian Federation which asked for a vote, finding some of the wording, especially on human rights, too strong. The Russian motion was put to a vote with 143 States voting for the text of the Pact, 15 abstentions, and 7 opposed (Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Sudan, and Nicaragua.)

After this vote, the President of the General Assembly called for a vote by acclamation. Everyone applauded, some more vigorously than others. Thus, the Pact was adopted by consensus.

The Pact should be seen as a springboard for action rather than as an end point. With the 193 UN members potentially involved in drafting the document, there was a need for compromises and general ideas rather than any new specific proposals. The Pact is a reaffirmation of the goals and processes of the UN system, but it also notes the need for constant renewal. In paragraph 6, the Pact states, “We recognize that the multilateral system and its institutions, with the United Nations and its Charter at the center, must be strengthened to keep pace with a changing world. They must be fit for the present and the future – effective and capable, prepared for the future, just, democratic, equitable and representative of today’s world, inclusive, interconnected and financially stable.”

Paragraph 9 states, “We also reaffirm that the three pillars of the United Nations – sustainable development – peace and security, and human rights – are equally important, interlinked and mutually reinforcing. We cannot have one without the others.”

In practice, it was easier to stress sustainable development since the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals had already been set out, through progress is very uneven. For peace and security, there are Articles 25 and 26 stating that, “We will advance the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. We will uphold our disarmament obligations and commitments.” A culture of peace is mentioned in a number of places, but no specific steps are set out.

For two days prior to the governments’ discussion and voting on the Pact, there was what were called “Action Days” to which were invited Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), academics working on UN issues, and the representatives of business corporations involved in international trade. The two days were certainly a time for networking if not for “action”.

The Pact is a partially open door for UN cooperation with NGOs stating in a general way the “participation of relevant stakeholders in appropriate formats.” More specifically, the Pact calls to “Facilitate more structured, meaningful and inclusive engagement of nongovernmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council in the activities of the Council in line with ECOSOC resolution 1996/21”. The door of the Pact was most open to youth calling for an increase in the representation of youth, which can only be via NGOs. We will have to see what, as NGO representatives, we can make of the partly open door.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

Strong Measures Needed to Prevent Escalation of Israeli-Hezbollah Conflict

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on September 26, 2024 at 7:05 AM

By René Wadlow

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, said in his opening remarks to the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2024, “Gaza is a nonstop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it. Look no further than Lebanon. We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is on the brink. The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”

Lebanon may have already moved over the brink. Israeli strikes on Lebanon on September 23 killed at least 356 people and injured more than 1,200 others. Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem has just said, “We have entered a new phase – an open-ended battle of reckoning.” Until now, Hezbollah has designed its attacks to stay below the threshold of a full-scale conflagration, but these deadly exchanges of fire carry a high risk of miscalculation, spiraling violence upward.

A rapid escalation in recent days, starting with the attack on Hezbollah members via booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies followed by Israeli bombardments, has raised the specter of a new phase in the conflict with a possible ground invasion by Israeli troops as in 1982 and 2006. There are fears that Iran could be drawn into the fighting. The new Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the UN General Assembly also on September 24, demanded a global response to the Lebanon situation, “not to allow Lebanon to become another Gaza.”

In 2007, young people from Beirut posing with a Hezbollah flag on the ruins of the Khiam prison formerly run by the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army (C) Paul Keller

Hezbollah is supported by Iran but not fully under Iranian control. Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, has in recent days made widely watched television talks attacking Israeli politics and indicating continuing Hezbollah support for the Palestinians in Gaza, saying that a ceasefire in Gaza was necessary before any negotiations with Hezbollah could take place. Since negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza seem unlikely for the moment, Hezbollah’s current campaign is likely to continue. In addition, recent tensions in the West Bank between Israeli settlers, Israeli soldiers and Palestinians in settled villages have added more heat to the general tensions in the area.

The issue is what can be done now to prevent escalation and reduce tensions. A first step is to stress respect for international humanitarian law – often cited by the Association of World Citizens (AWC). Hospitals, medical facilities, educational institutions have been destroyed in the exchanges of fire. There is a need for resolute action on the violations of humanitarian law. Regular military personnel of all countries are theoretically informed of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and the Protocol Additional adopted in 1977 in light of the experiences of the war in Vietnam. Today, international human rights standards are also considered part of international humanitarian law, thus providing additional protection for vulnerable population groups such as women, children and minorities.

A possible second phase is the “good offices” function of the UN Secretary-General. It is certain that the UN Secretariat is concerned, but their ability for action may be very limited.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

It is not clear what governments at the UN can do. The Security Council has been blocked on many issues by the veto. The resolutions of the General Assembly are “recommendations” with little follow up in practice.

A 21-day ceasefire proposal has just been set out at the UN by France and the USA but rejected by Israel.

There may be some role for non-official mediation carried out by groups representing religious, academic, or charitable organizations. One advantage of non-official mediation is that all concerned are aware that such mediation is genuinely impartial seeking only a reduction of suffering caused by the conflicts. The disadvantage is that non-official mediators lack the resources, political, economic or military on which governmental mediators can draw.

It is certain that strong measures are needed to prevent escalation. Vision and creativity are important factors. The role of nongovernmental organizations in consultative status with the UN such as the AWC may be able to play a role in these dangerous times.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

September 21, Day of Peace: Action Needed!

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, NGOs, Nonviolence, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations on September 21, 2024 at 7:17 PM

By René Wadlow

September 21 is the United Nations (UN) designated International Peace Day, set out in 1981 by a UN General Assembly resolution as being a day close to the start of the General Assembly. The Day is devoted to creating a culture of peace through dialogue in a spirit of mutual understanding and a consciousness of the unity of humanity. As the psychoanalyst Erick Fromm wrote, “I believe that the One World which is emerging can come into existence only if a new man comes into being – a man who has emerged from the archaic ties of blood and soil, who feels himself to be a Citizen of the World, whose loyalty is to the human race and to life.”

This year, September 21 is one of the two Action Days of the Summit for the Future being held at the UN in New York. We are all aware that in many parts of the world there is armed conflict, political rivalries and growing tensions. The current heavily State-centered approaches to world politics hampers the effectiveness of the UN and its Specialized Agencies. In these times of insecurity when many people feel uncertain about the future, when anxieties and fears are promoted and then exploited by political populists, old-fashioned nationalists and religious fundamentalists, we need to present a positive vision and to build bridges of understanding over the current divides of nationalism, ethnicity and social classes.

Today, the revolutionary character of our times is recognized by many observers. Those who live in the midst of swift social change confront the upheaval of their way of life. We are entering a period of change for which there are no blueprints. Therefore, it is essential that we learn to work together. We celebrate our similarities rather than our differences. Thus, on this Day of Peace, we are called to new levels of creativity and constructive action.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

United Nations Calls for Action on Sudan Crisis

In Africa, Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Current Events, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, International Justice, Solidarity, Sudan, The Search for Peace, United Nations, War Crimes, World Law on September 9, 2024 at 6:00 AM

By René Wadlow

(C) OHCHR

The United Nations (UN) Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan chaired by Mohamed Chande Othman of Tanzania said, in its first Report of September 6, 2024, that Sudan’s warring parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces as well as their respective militia allies, have committed an appalling range of human rights and international humanitarian law violations including indiscriminate airstrikes and shelling against civilians, schools, hospitals, and vital water services.

The current armed conflict which began on April 15, 2023 between two former allies is led, on the one side, by General Abdel Fattah Al Burham of the Sudanese Armed Forces and, on the other, by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagulo, known by his battle name of Hemedhi, of the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict, which has spread to 14 of the 18 provinces of Sudan, has killed and wounded tens of thousands of civilians, displaced nearly 8 million people and forced two million to flee to neighboring countries and beyond.

Mohamed Chamde Othman (C) U.S. Government

As the Fact-Finding Mission Report highlights, the warring parties targeted civilians through rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, arbitrary arrest as well as torture and ill-treatment. Assaults have been carried out against ethnic minorities, in particular the Masalit in West Darfur.

The Fact-Finding Mission, mandated by the Human Rights Council in October 2023, carried out a wide range of discussions and interviews. As the Expert Member of the Mission Mona Rishmawi said, “These findings should serve as a wakeup call to the international community to take decisive action to support survivors, their families and affected communities and hold perpetrators accountable. A comprehensive approach to transitional justice is vital for addressing the root causes of the conflict and ensuring accountability.”

Mona Rishmawi

Efforts for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations by the Personal Envoy for the Sudan of the UN Secretary-General have led to no advances. Thus, wider action is needed. Mohamed Othman has said, “The international community must support the Sudanese aspiration for an inclusive and representative civilian government that respects the rights of all citizens, fostering a path toward equality, justice and sustainable peace in Sudan.” In light of the many difficulties, he has called for sending UN peacekeeping forces to Sudan. “Given the failure of the warring parties to spare civilians, it is imperative that an independent and impartial force with a mandate to safeguard civilians be deployed without delay. The protection of the civilian population is paramount, and all parties must comply with their obligations under international law and immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks on the civilian population.”

As the deployment of an independent and impartial force depends on the UN Security Council the focus for action shifts from the Human Rights Council to the Security Council. We appeal for vitally needed action now.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

La AWC Llama a las Autoridades de Nicaragua a Derogar la Prohibición Anunciada de 1.500 Organizaciones No Gubernamentales

In Being a World Citizen, Current Events, Democracy, Human Rights, Latin America, NGOs, Religious Freedom, Social Rights, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, United Nations, World Law on August 20, 2024 at 8:45 PM

LA AWC LLAMA A LAS AUTORIDADES DE NICARAGUA A DEROGAR LA PROHIBICIÓN ANUNCIADA DE 1.500 ORGANIZACIONES NO GUBERNAMENTALES

La Association of World Citizens (Asociación de Ciudadanos del Mundo; AWC) expresa su alarma al aprender que las autoridades de la República de Nicaragua anunciaron el 19 de agosto la prohibición de 1.500 organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG), la mayoría de ellas organizaciones de beneficencia católicas romanas, aunque, lamentablemente, la medida también ha afectado a la Cruz Roja Nicaragüense.

Desde abril de 2018, el Gobierno encabezado por el Presidente Daniel Ortega ha adoptado un cariz abiertamente autoritario, tras las protestas cuya violenta represión, según las Naciones Unidas (ONU), ha dejado más de 300 muertos. En este contexto, casi todos los opositores políticos han sido encarcelados o forzados al exilio.

En cuanto a los grupos de la sociedad civil, esta última medida eleva a 5.000 el número de ONG prohibidas por las autoridades en los últimos seis años. Todos los grupos prohibidos han visto sus bienes confiscados por el Gobierno. Aunque la razón oficial esgrimida es que estas ONG no han declarado sus ingresos, la semana pasada se aprobó una normativa que obliga a las ONG a establecer “alianzas de asociación” con las autoridades, con lo que prácticamente se acaba su carácter “no gubernamental”.

La Oficina del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos ha pedido “a las autoridades nicaragüenses que dejen de imponer restricciones severas a los espacios cívicos y democráticos del país y que garanticen el respeto de los derechos humanos, de conformidad con las obligaciones internacionales de Nicaragua en materia de derechos humanos”.

La AWC respalda sin reservas este llamamiento, instando al Gobierno de Nicaragua a rescindir de inmediato su prohibición anunciada y a restablecer a todas las ONG ilegalizadas desde 2018 su estatus jurídico y financiero inicial, garantizando además que sean libres de operar como consideren conveniente, un requisito básico para cualquier país que pretenda defender el Estado de derecho.

The AWC Calls on the Authorities of Nicaragua to Rescind Their Announced Ban on 1,500 Nongovernmental Organizations

In Being a World Citizen, Current Events, Democracy, Human Rights, Latin America, NGOs, Nicaragua, Religious Freedom, Social Rights, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, United Nations, World Law on August 20, 2024 at 8:45 PM

THE AWC CALLS ON THE AUTHORITIES OF NICARAGUA TO RESCIND THEIR ANNOUNCED BAN ON 1,500 NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Association of World Citizens (AWC) is alarmed to hear that the authorities of the Republic of Nicaragua announced on August 19 that they were banning 1,500 Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), most of them Roman Catholic charities – even though, regrettably, the Nicaraguan Red Cross has been struck by the measure too.

Since April 2018, the Government led by President Daniel Ortega has taken an openly authoritarian turn, after protests whose violent repression the United Nations (UN) claims left more than 300 people dead. In this context, nearly all political opponents have been jailed or forced into exile.

As for civil society groups, this latest move brings to 5,000 the number of NGOs banned by the authorities over the last six years. All groups thus banned have had their assets seized by the Government.

Even though the official reason put forward is that these NGOs have failed to declare their income, last week, a regulation was passed requiring NGOs to enter “partnership alliances” with the authorities, therefore practically ending their “nongovernmental” nature.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called “on the Nicaraguan authorities to stop imposing severe restrictions on civic and democratic spaces in the country, and to ensure that human rights are respected, in line with Nicaragua’s international human rights obligations.”

The AWC unreservedly endorses this call, urging the Nicaraguan Government to rescind immediately its announced ban and restore all NGOs outlawed since 2018 to their initial legal and financial status, further ensuring that they are free to operate as they see fit, a basic requirement for any country which claims to be upholding the rule of law.

World Humanitarian Day: A Call for Creative Action

In Being a World Citizen, Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Middle East & North Africa, NGOs, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Track II, United Nations, World Law on August 19, 2024 at 7:55 AM

By René Wadlow

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has designated August 19 each year as “World Humanitarian Day” to pay tribute to aid workers in humanitarian service in difficult and often dangerous conditions. August 19 was designated in memory of the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN office building in Baghdad, Iraq, in which Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and at the time Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, was killed along with 21 UN staff members. Over 200 UN employees were injured. The exact circumstances of the attack are not known, and why UN security around the building was not tighter is still not clear. A truck with explosives was able to drive next to the building and then blew itself up.

Sergio Vieira de Mello had spent his UN career in humanitarian efforts, often with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and at other times as Special Representative of the UN Secretary General. As a Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) representative to the UN in Geneva and active on human rights issues, I knew him during his short 2002-2003 tenure as High Commissioner for Human Rights. Many of us had high hopes that his dynamism, relative youth (he was 54), and wide experience in conflict resolution efforts would provide new possibilities for human rights efforts. His death along with the death of others who had been Geneva-based was a stark reminder of the risks that exist for all engaged in humanitarian and conflict resolution work.

Sergio Vieira de Mello (C) UN Photo/Patrick Bertshmann

The laws of war, now more often called humanitarian law, have two wings. One wing, dealing with the treatment of medical personnel in armed conflicts, the military wounded, prisoners of war and the protection of civilians is set out in the Geneva (Red Cross) Conventions. The second wing, often called the Hague Conventions, limits or bans outright the use of certain categories of weapons. These efforts began at the Hague in 1900 and have continued with the recent limitations on land mines, cluster weapons and certain chemical weapons. The Association of World Citizens was one of the NGOs leading the campaign against cluster weapons.

The current situation concerning refugees and internally-displaced persons can also be considered as part of humanitarian law. To prevent and alleviate suffering, to protect life and health, and to ensure respect for the human person, these are the core values of humanitarian law which we strongly reaffirm on World Humanitarian Day.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.

Village Bank Founder Becomes Interim Leader of Bangladesh

In Asia, Being a World Citizen, Current Events, Democracy, Human Rights, NGOs, Social Rights, Solidarity, The Search for Peace, Women's Rights on August 12, 2024 at 1:00 PM

By René Wadlow

Muhammad Yunus, the founder of the microcredit banking system in Bangladesh, the Grameen Bank (which translates as “Village Bank”), was sworn in as the interim leader of the Bangladesh government on August 8, 2024. The former leader, Sheikh Hasina, resigned and then fled to India, driven out by the protests first of students and then by other sectors of the population during which some 400 persons were killed by the military and the police. Muhammed Yunus has called for calm and an end to uncontrolled violence often directed against the minority Hindu population.

Muhammad Yunus is an economist. Now 84 years old, he is retired from teaching, originally at the University of Chittagong, the port city of Bangladesh. As an economist, he was quickly aware of rural poverty in many parts of the country and the unrest of the tribal minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracks. He developed the concept of the Grameen Bank, small loans, especially to women, in order to improve their trading efforts. Much of what is called “the informal sector” – marginal to the more developed economy – are the efforts of market women and women small producers. With small loans which must be repaid before a new loan is possible, women are able to have more security and can expand their business.

Prof. Muhammad Yunus at the University of Salford, UK, on May 18, 2013
(C) University of Salford Press Service

The Grameen Bank approach spread to nearly all areas of Bangladesh and then to other countries, especially in Africa. The success of the Grameen Bank approach has lifted many from the cycle of poverty and instability. In recognition of the impact of the Grameen Banks, Muhammad Yunus was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006.

Muhammad Yunus has formed an interim government of 16 persons, mostly drawn from civil society organizations, including two, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud, both 26 years old, who were leaders of the student movements which overthrew Sheikh Hasina who had been in power for 15 years – whose government had become increasingly authoritarian. Muhammad Yunus has promised that elections will be held shortly but that calm must be restored first. He faces difficult tasks, but he is a fresh mind outside the narrow political milieu. We must wish him well in his vital efforts.

Prof. René Wadlow is President of the Association of World Citizens.