Alfred-Maurice de Zayas Quotes - Page 2

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• The mandate entails a generous synthesis of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. The title requires the expert to be truly independent, keep an open mind, conduct his/her research objectively and without ideological prejudices, listen to all sides of an argument and seek the opinion of all stakeholders. The essence of an independent expert is not merely his/her expertise - which must be considered a given - but the faculty of thinking outside the box, while rigorously respecting the terms of reference laid down in the resolution establishing the mandate, and observing the code of conduct of rapporteurs.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Independent, Rights, Political

  "Recent Developments & Highlights". Message on the personal website, alfreddezayas.com. March 05, 2018.

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• Respect for human rights requires transparent and accountable institutions and governance as well as the effective participation of all individuals and civil society, who are an essential part of realizing social and people-centred sustainable development.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Rights, People, Essentials

  "India: Urgent Call to Halt Odisha Mega-Steel Project Amid Serious Human Rights Concerns". "Alfred de Zayas' Human Rights Corner" blog, dezayasalfred.wordpress.com. October 01, 2013.

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• In a democracy, it is the people who are sovereign. Therefore, with regard to the promotion of democracy at the local, country and regional levels, civil society must have a stronger voice in all political processes.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Country, Voice, People

  "Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred-Maurice de Zayas". July 01, 2013.

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• Global military spending levels constitute an unconscionable use of resources and remain at an all-time high, reaching a total of USD 1.75 trillion in 2012, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Military, Levels, Use

  "UN Expert Urges States to Cut Military Spending and Invest More in Human Development". www.ohchr.org. April 14, 2014.

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• In a world where millions of human beings live in extreme poverty, die of malnutrition and lack medical care, where pandemics continue to kill, it is imperative to pursue good faith disarmament negotiations and to shift budgets away from weapons production, war-mongering, surveillance of private persons and devote available resources to address global challenges including humanitarian relief, environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, prevention of pandemics, and the development of a green economy.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  War, Challenges, Environmental

  "UN Expert Urges States to Cut Military Spending and Invest More in Human Development". www.ohchr.org. April 14, 2014.

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• I urge Governments to considerably reduce funds allocated to the military, not only as a disarmament issue, but also as a potential contributor to social and environmental protection and call for the holding of referenda on this issue worldwide.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Military, Issues, Government

  "UN Expert Urges States to Cut Military Spending and Invest More in Human Development". www.ohchr.org. April 14, 2014.

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• As far as domestic democracy, all here present know that democracy means government of the people by the people. While we agree that consultation and participation are essential to every democracy, this is seldom achieved in practice.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Mean, Government, Practice

  Statement at the Brussels Conference on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, October 16-17, 2013.

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• Representative democracy frequently manifests a disconnect between parliamentarians and the people, so that parliamentarians have agendas that do not correspond with the wishes of the electorate. This has led in many countries to apathy, cynicism and large-scale absenteeism in elections. What is needed is not only parliaments, but parliamentarians who genuinely represent the wishes of the electorate.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Country, People, Democracy

  "Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred-Maurice de Zayas". July 01, 2013.

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• I condemn the lack of proper investigation of the massacres and the impunity of those responsible for them.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Responsible, Investigation, Massacres

  "UN experts urge Iraq to establish the whereabouts of the seven missing residents of Camp Ashraf". dezayasalfred.wordpress.com. December 9, 2013.

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• Peace is not the silence of cemeteries, but the song of social justice.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Song, Justice, Silence

  "Rights Expert Urges the UN General Assembly to Adopt a More Decisive Role in Peace-making". "Alfred de Zayas' Human Rights Corner" blog, dezayasalfred.wordpress.com. September 26, 2013.

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• A ten per cent reduction in military expenditures per year would be reasonable, coupled with a programme of retraining the workforce and redirecting the resources in a manner that creates employment and advances social welfare. I also encourage all States to contribute to the UN's annual Report on Military Expenditures by submitting complete data on national defence budgets.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Military, Years, Data

  "UN Expert Urges States to Cut Military Spending and Invest More in Human Development". www.ohchr.org. April 14, 2014.

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• The drafting of a legally binding instrument concerning the human rights impacts of the activities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises has been proposed. Such a treaty or convention should strengthen the United Nations “protect, respect and remedy” framework of the Guiding Principles, which were unanimously endorsed by the Human Rights Council in 2011.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Impact, Rights, Negative

  "Transnational Corporations must be legally accountable for the negative human rights impacts of their activities". Statement at the Workshop at the Human Rights Council, www.ohchr.org. March 11-12, 2014.

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• This new declaration which emphasizes the necessity of global disarmament is based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations, in particular the prohibition of the threat and use of force, and on the obligation to negotiate disputes in conformity with the UN Charter. It is a strong and positive example for the entire world.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Strong, Principles, Example

  "CELAC / Zone of Peace: 'A key step to countering the globalization of militarism' – UN Expert". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights News Item, www.ohchr.org. February 03, 2014.

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• Democracy is not the end product, but the means to the end, which is the enjoyment of human rights by all.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Mean, Rights, Democracy

  Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, July 1, 2013.

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• When negotiations are at an impasse, when States dig their heels in, it is time to 'undig' them in a spirit of compromise. We all need to unlearn the predator in us, unlearn discrimination, unlearn privilege.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Needs, Predator, Privilege

  "From New York to World’s Conflict Zones, UN Marks International Day of Peace". news.un.org. September 21, 2012.

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• Some observers compare elections in some countries with sports events, where people are but spectators. Moreover, elections must not be mere interludes for pushing a lever and then retreating to passivity, for democracy demands committed participation in the daily workings of society.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Sports, Country, People

  "Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order". August 07, 2013.

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• Specific protection must be granted to human rights defenders and whistleblowers who have in some contexts been accused of being unpatriotic, whereas they perform, in reality, a democratic service to their countries and to the enjoyment of human rights of their compatriots.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  Country, Reality, Rights

  "UN Expert Calls on Countries to Strengthen Protection of Civil Society Voices, Whistleblowers". news.un.org. September 11, 2013.

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• A World Parliamentary Assembly functioning outside the United Nations, or a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly set up as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly pursuant to article 22 of the UN Charter, could start initially as a consultative body and gradually develop into a legislative assembly.

  Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

  World, Body, Assembly

  "'Time for a World Parliamentary Assembly'". newsarchive.ohchr.org. October 17, 2013.

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