UNFICYP Press Statement on International Day of Peace

21 Sep 2018

UNFICYP Press Statement on International Day of Peace

Nicosia, 21st September 2018 – As the world commemorates the International Day of Peace, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of Mission, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, highlighted the importance of people across the island working together towards lasting peace in Cyprus.

This year’s #peaceday celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:  the world’s “magna carta”, enshrining the principles of dignity, equality and inalienable rights for all. The full and universal enjoyment of human rights is an indisputable cornerstone of peace, yet the Declaration does not include a “Right to Peace” among its articles. This year, the United Nations is asking people to think about what the right to peace means to them.

Speaking about this year’s theme, Ms. Spehar said “For the UN, the right to peace entails not only the absence of violent conflict but also the protection of all human rights and the realization of development objectives. This can only be attained when individuals and societies recognize not only their rights but also the rights and needs of others, practicing tolerance, solidarity and mutual understanding. In Cyprus, as elsewhere, all can do their part.” The Security Council, through Resolution 2430 (2018), recently appealed to the sides on Cyprus to promote trust-building and engage in confidence-building measures as building-blocks to peace, and also underscored the importance of civil society involvement in the peace process, emphasizing intercommunal contacts, exchange and co-operation.

Ms. Spehar concluded, “As we mark the 2018 International Day of Peace, now more than ever, the cause of peace needs everyone’s support; greater involvement of women and youth is particularly important. Believing in peace is not enough; all communities must work together to make it a reality.” she stated.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21st September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

Share your ideas with the United Nations about what the Right to Peace means to you through #peaceday and #StandUp4HumanRights.

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UNFICYP Spokesperson

Aleem Siddique

Office: +357 22 61 4408

Mobile: +357 996 16197 - +90-533 8800386

Email: siddiquea@un.org