Our world is changing at warp speed. The multiplication of conflicts is causing unprecedented suffering. But human rights are a constant. They bring coherence to our search for solutions. And they are fundamental to our hopes for a world at peace … Protecting human rights protects us all.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have had two years of fighting, two years of suffering, two years of stoking global tensions and straining global relations. Enough. Scorning the Charter has been the problem. Honouring it is the solution. That means honouring the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders. It is time to recommit to the Charter and renew respect for international law. That is the path to peace and security – in Ukraine and around the world.
Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will. Wars destroy. Peace builds. But in today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act. It is humanity’s greatest responsibility. That responsibility belongs to us all – individually and collectively. In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations. Starting here. Starting now. For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace.
The role of the international community is clear. We must unite to support Israelis and Palestinians to take determined actions to advance a meaningful peace process. Over recent decades, the two-state solution has been traduced, undermined and left for dead many times. However, it remains the only way to achieve durable and equitable peace in Israel, in Palestine, and in the region. As the events of the past three months have tragically reminded us, it is also the only way to avoid endless cycles of fear, hatred and violence.
We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. To ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed. To facilitate the release of the hostages. To tamp down the flames of wider war because the longer the conflict in Gaza continues, the greater the risk of escalation and miscalculation. We cannot see in Lebanon what we are seeing in Gaza. And we cannot allow what has been happening in Gaza to continue.