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Alfred-Maurice de Zayas

212 quotes

“If you want to make America great again, all you have to do is to revive the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“While the UN Charter serves as a kind of world Constitution and article 103 is unmistakable in stipulating that the Charter prevails over all other treaties, the political narrative does not always conform to this legality. There is a degree of “fragmentation” in international law, which States invoke self-servingly to apply international law selectively, violating general principles of law — not by accident, but deliberately and calculatingly, just to see whether they can get away with it.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The weaponization of human rights has transformed the individual and collective entitlement to assistance, protection, respect and solidarity – based on our common human dignity and equality – into a hostile arsenal to target competitors and political adversaries. In the stockpile of weaponized human rights, the technique of “naming and shaming” has become a sort of ubiquitous Kalashnikov.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would call the human right to peace an ultimate or “end right”, in that the state of peace is the result of the promotion and protection of human rights. Indeed, a society where human rights are upheld is a society that is free of the kind of structural violence that leads to armed conflict. Now, as it has been said many times, peace is not the mere absence of war. Peace in a holistic sense, peace in its individual and collective dimension, entails a state of internal and external harmony.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: AEDIDH Consultation 16. May 2011 : The United Nations Human Rights to Peace Consultation.
“Blithe spirits bringing a myriad colours to our gardens, magic, ephemeral wings -- butterflies -- with short life-spans of a week to a few months. But why such an unpoetic name for a delicate daughter of nature? The Germans call them Schmetterlinge (even less onomatopoetic), the Russians call them бабочка (not to be confused with Бабушка, which means grandmother), the Greek πεταλουδα (which makes you think of petals), the French call them papillons (which is closer to the Latin papilio). Perhaps the more congenial, smoother descriptions are the Spanish mariposa and the delicate Dutch vlinder.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Democracy is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve the sacred promises of human dignity, justice and peace”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Pathos is for adolescents”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2004 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Panem et circenses, Esoteric Magazine, University of British Columbia, 2004, p. 21
“In global warming and pollution we eclipse, in lies and wars to nuclear apocalypse”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Esoteric Magazine, University of British Columbia 2005, p. 28
“Can you tell me who is good and who is bad ? The ancient "we and they" divides us artificially.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Beatitudes", Sam Hamill, Poets Against the War 2003
“Self-censorship as a result of intimidation or social pressures, sometimes referred to as “political correctness”, constitutes a serious obstacle to the proper functioning of democracy. It is important to hear the views of all persons, including the “silent majority”, and to give heed to the weaker voices.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“World peace is threatened not only by weapons of mass destruction but also by conventional weapons which have led to countless violations of human rights, including the rights to life and to physical integrity. A strong treaty can contribute greatly to international and regional peace, security and stability.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Lip service to disarmament is insufficient; the goal is to find ways to redirect the resources used for the military and reduce the danger of war while liberating funds to finance development and all-inclusive growth.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“As all human rights derive from human dignity, it is important to recognize that human dignity is not a product of positivism but an expression of natural law and human rationality. Although an abstract concept, human dignity has engendered concrete norms of human rights, a practical mode d’emploi strengthened by enforcement mechanisms.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Bearing in mind that “the market” is not an invention of capitalism but that it has existed for thousands of years in many different societies, social justice logically requires that the profits resulting from the operation of markets and infrastructures created by society be equitably shared within societies and in a larger context within the human family.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Education is necessary to unlearn privilege, unlearn exclusion, unlearn discrimination, unlearn prejudice, unlearn war.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 (born 1947) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement by Alfred de Zayas statement on International Day of Peace, 21 September 2012 - .
“I condemn the lack of proper investigation of the massacres and the impunity of those responsible for them.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Grave crimes of this nature, and the impunity that has accompanied them, entail violations of numerous international treaty provisions and constitute an assault on the rule of law, an affront to the international community and a threat to the international order.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The families of the killed and disappeared are entitled to the right to know what happened to their loved ones, and to adequate reparation for the suffering endured.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The unfair composition of the Security Council is largely acknowledged. The principal defects are the anachronistic privileges of the five permanent members of the Council and the Council’s insufficient representativeness.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The abuse of the veto power has become so predictable that frequently resolutions are not even tabled because of the certainty of a veto against their adoption. Necessary discussion is thereby suppressed. Concerted action by the Security Council, the General Assembly and other United Nations agencies is necessary to prevent major human rights violations, stop ongoing breaches and provide remedies to victims.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The root causes of armed conflict, among them the race for natural resources, economic imbalances, and ethnic and religious tensions must be resolved, respecting the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means under Article 2 (3) of the Charter. The obligation to negotiate is jus cogens, “negotiation” meaning dialogue and compromise, not the dictates of the stronger over the weaker.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“States should practice multilateralism and abandon unilateral actions that adversely affect a democratic and equitable international order, refraining from the threat or use of force. They should apply international law uniformly, abandon overreliance on “positivism” and efforts to circumvent treaty obligations or invent loopholes. As “nature abhors a vacuum” (Spinoza, Ethics), human rights law abhors “legal black holes”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“World peace is continually threatened by the paranoia of power, as internal and international conflicts plague humanity. Confronted by the danger of weapons of mass destruction, humanity must take effective measures towards disarmament. Albert Einstein warned us: “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A neutral observer would have no difficulty in identifying instances of disconnect between government and people, most obviously in authoritarian and totalitarian regimes where civil society’s voices are muzzled and where peaceful protests are prohibited or severely suppressed,24 but also to a lesser degree in democracies, particularly “representative democracies” that do not genuinely represent, business-driven democracies and so-called “lobby-democracies”, where elected officials tend to be more responsive to the lobbies than to the population.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Reinhold Niebuhr tells us that man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary. Yet, democracy means different things to different people. It is more than the ballot box, more than just majority rule. It means participation in decision-making and the opportunity to choose policy.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Independent Expert is persuaded that recognition of peace as a human right will promote a democratic and equitable international order and that national and international democratization will reduce conflict, since peoples want peace. It is Governments that stumble into war.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Attention must be given to the penal consequences of violations of the right to peace, including the punishment by domestic courts or in due time by the International Criminal Court of those who have engaged in aggression and propaganda for war.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you censor yourself, if you cannot articulate your needs, if you cannot articulate your priorities, then whatever you do, putting a little cross in a ballot box, etc, does not represent your view. It is an act of desperation.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You should not be subjected to the pressures, the intimidation, whether by Government or by the private sector, which would force you into self-censorship.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One of the problems that we have in the human rights community is that special interests often forget the interests of other victims, and there’s competition among victims expressions that are unnecessary.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The UN system is not very democratic, everyone knows that the Security Council is not democratic.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You cannot turn the clock back, you cannot give the island of Manhattan back to the indigenous, but on the other hand, you can ensure that the indigenous can maintain their way of life.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The war industries in many countries and the enormous trade in weapons of all kinds generate corruption and fuel conflict throughout the world. The existence of an immensely powerful military-industrial complex constitutes a danger to democracy, both internationally and domestically, because it follows its own logic and operates independently of popular participation.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“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 (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order [
“Representative democracy betrays the electorate when laws have no roots in the people but in oligarchies. Studies on the concept and modalities of direct democracy are therefore becoming more topical”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“No country has a perfect report card. While some countries have strong points in specific areas, they may have serious lacunae in other areas. For instance, some countries have made enormous progress on civil and political rights, but lag in the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“The diagnosis is clear, but changing the status quo has proven difficult, because often those who are elected do not govern, and those who do govern are not elected.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“Democracy entails a correlation between the public interest as expressed by a majority of the population and the governmental policies that affect them. The term encompasses various manifestations, including direct, participatory and representative democracy, but Governments must be responsive to people and not to special interests such as the military-industrial complex, financial bankers and transnational corporations. Democracy is inclusive and does not privilege an anthropological aristocracy.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“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 (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“A democratic and equitable international order is inherent in the fundamental human rights that humanity shares. It is achievable, step-by-step, when every country and people act at the local, regional and international levels, aware that such an international order must be based on the United Nations Charter and the human rights treaties, which together make up what we can safely call the Constitution of the modern world.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Alfred-Maurice de Zayas 2013 Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
“Those who sell or facilitate weapons to individuals that will commit human rights violations know that they have responsibility for the death and misery caused by those weapons and at some stage may be liable to face the International Criminal Court for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 2013, UN rights expert hails Arms Trade Treaty and urges States to do more to also regulate production .
“With the growth of the world population, the global climate change and the need for a greater healthy environment, access to water resources has become a crucial condition for the realization of an equitable international order, where the needs of the peoples are effectively addressed. In this regard, the need for international cooperation, including in joint effort with relevant non-state actors, is paramount to ensure water is made available to all without discrimination. Water is a human right, an enabling right, not a mere commodity.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement by Alfred de Zayas on World Water Day 22 March 2013 .
“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.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Peace is what today’s world needs most urgently, in Egypt, in Syria, in the Middle East, in Africa. Peace and reconciliation. Peace with rehabilitation of victims. Peace with understanding of causes. Peace with a plan for reconstruction – but not only material reconstruction. Moral reconstruction, value reconstruction, commitment to human dignity, faith in the future – this is essential to achieve peace with justice.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The United Nations is the best hope to spare humanity from the barbarity of war, from the senseless death, destruction and dislocation it brings about.”
Alfred-Maurice de Zayas (born 1947) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rights expert urges the UN General Assembly to adopt a more decisive role in peace-making (For International Day of Peace, Saturday 21 September 2013) .