Articles 9 and 26 go together!
If only every country would adopt a constitutional article like Article 9 of the Japanese constitution! If only world leaders would gforever renounce war as a means of settling international disputesh! In drawing our attention once again to this important legal provision, you alert us to the key choices facing humanity.
We are at a crossroads in human history. One path leads to social justice, to the end of mass poverty, to democracy and human rights for all. The other path is marked by big-power domination, wars over resources, growing inequality, and above all the risk of war, even with nuclear weapons.
My organization, the International Peace Bureau, has recently launched a new program entitled Sustainable Disarmament for Sustainable Development.
We propose to launch an Article 26 campaign, which will remind the world's people of the commitment embodied in that article to ensure the gleast diversion for armaments of the world's human and economic resourcesh.
Let us work together to roll back this new militarism that is threatening our societies, and also threatening those who suffer the scourge of hunger and destitution. It will be a long struggle, but don't forget: we have the world's majority on our side!
\ Colin Archer, Secretary General, International Peace Bureau ;IPB |
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Letfs organize and rally for peace to show our strength in Tokyo in 2008I
Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan is a beacon of hope for all of us who work to transform our societies founded on militarism and armed force to societies founded on co-operation and peace.
The pressure to remove Article 9 from the Constitution and thereby remove the renunciation to rebuild Japanfs military forces and war potential are growing stronger all time. The September 11 events in the US and the resulting US-led War on Terrorism have aided those that want Japan to become full partners in war and violence.
The people, women and men together that are determined to build a true future for their children and grandchildren are stronger if we united.
So, yes, let us organize and rally for peace to show our strength in Tokyo in 2008h
\Edith Ballantyne, Womenfsf International League for Peace and Freedom; WILPF |
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Inform the new Council of the threats against Article9 !
The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) is familiar with the efforts made by JALISA and the forces for Peace in Japan, to maintain in the text and spirit of the Constitution of Japan, the all famous gArticle 9h. In their invitation our friends say that this article is on the brink of disappearance.
JALISAfs Mission made the long trip to Geneva to inform the UN commission of the dangers involving the disappearance of Article9.
Unfortunately the UN Commission itself will be disappearing on June 16th, to be replaced by a Human Rights Council, whose real future and impact are still unknown.
But people who fight for Peace and Human Rights should always look to the future with hope.
I hope, as does the IADL that the Council will be stronger than the Commission was, and that the UN will be more resolution in its defense of Human Rights and Peace.
I hope that JALISA and the IADL , will inform the new Council of the threats against Article9.and that finally peace will be consolidated in most of the world.
\ Raymond G. MERAT, Permanent Representative of IADL |
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For the Right to self-determination and sovereignty for the people of Japan!
A few days ago, on 18 March, we participated with thousands of peace-loving people in the streets demonstrating worldwide against the aggression of Iraq and against the war in general. The Japanese people are - I am sure - no less peace-loving than other people and therefore a systematic information and lobbying campaign involving all civil society associations, organizations and pressure groups should aim to make the Japanese ruling power realize that the people it is governing do not agree with its aggressive and belligerent attitude, which is tantamount to following ghis mastersf voiceh, i.e. the USA.
Japan should remember the good pages of its history and return to its positive historic value to master its own destiny and take a new peaceful lead as a sovereign nation to influence the course of history, to become an example not only for Asia, but also for the world.
Japan must show by such a courageous decision how to resist the heavy hand of the superpower over its decision making, both military and economic.
\@Verena Graf, Secretary General of LIDLIP |
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Against changing the peace article !
I admire JALISAfs efforts coming to Geneva for session of the Commission on Human Rights.
Your message is very important today. You are aware that a majority of representatives in the Japanese Parliament may vote to suppress Articles 9 of the Constitution which prevents Japan from militarizing and participating in war activities. You analyze the situation, Japan may follow the way of the imperialist powers searching for raw materials as oil, or resolving international disputes by the threat and use of force.
You underline the close relation of present Japanese strategic policy with the strategy and priorities of the United States and you fear that if the Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution is abolished then Japan will follow the U.S.A strategy of administering the world by its military.
Yet you say that majority of Japanese people are against changing the peace article in the Constitution.
\ Dr. Charles Graves, Secretary General, Interfaith International
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