Discussion Paper

Session 4: Are Present Global Institutions Still Relevant?

Panelist

Contents

One is the publication of the cartoons in the Danish newspapers which hit the headlines and sparked protests all over the globe. The attitude of Danes was astonishing – combination of defensiveness, fear, provincialism and arrogance. Even if we believe freedom of speech is of fundamental value, that does not give us the carte blanche to say what we like in any context, regardless of consequences or effect. Respect for others, especially in our increasingly interdependent world is a value of equal importance. Neither media, publications, nor places of worship should be used for incitement, or to spread hatred.

Second, is the reckless disregard for international law and common decency as more horror pictures are appearing from Abu Ghraib, along with the damning UN report on Guantanamo Bay of prisoners being tortured and violation of human rights being committed. It seems the US is playing the role of a judge, prosecutor and defense in holding prisoners without charges or trial. One wonders how far the US will go on pursuing its aggressive and unilateralist policies in Iraq, Iran, Syria, north Korea and elsewhere.

Global institutions like the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, should deal with the detainees of Camp Delta. In view of flagrant human rights abuses, it should take legal action against the US for breaking international law and order the closure of the notorious prison. The time has come when it is important to establish whether they are in prison lawfully and if they should be released.

Third is the ongoing rape, killings, genocide, and crime against humanity occurring at present in Darfur in Sudan. In the last three years, the crisis in Darfur has already claimed around 300,000 lives. The people of Darfur continue to suffer. Around two million are now in camps. Many more are homeless or displaced. Innocent people are still being killed. Women and girls are being raped. Children are dying. Villages have been attacked and burned.

It is the duty of the United Nations and International Criminal Court to take action and bring to justice the perpetrators of atrocities and restore the deteriorating security situation and protect civilians.

Fourthly, the daily occurrence of increasing unrest, violence and fighting in Iraq by which country is fast sliding into a civil war. A rise of sectarianism and extremism is leading it to lawlessness and destruction of Iraq. The foreign occupation and the government of Iraq are a party to the civil war between Shias and Sunnis. If the infighting continues, it might end up dividing Iraq into different regions. The International community must act to stop the killing for building a peaceful future for Iraq. Its time for the pullout the American troops for rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure, bringing back the rule of law and political stability.

Global governance is the task not only of governments as such but also of civil society, intergovernmental organizations (eg, the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies), non-governmental organizations (NGOs, eg the Red cross, the Worldwide Fund for Nature and Amnesty International), and transnational organizations (eg IBM, Shell and Unilever). The global capital markets and the global mass media are part of it too, as are citizens’ movements all over the world.

• Dangers to human security by wars and military spending and terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction – nuclear, biological and chemical.

Dangers to human security, wars and military spending will continue until we tackle the underlying causes of conflict. Governments will keep spending on military hardware whether they face real or imagined security threats.

Wars and civil unrest continue unabated in Africa, South Asia, (Kashmir and Nepal), Latin America (Colombia), and the Middle East as increasingly violence, mayhem and fear are used to extract wealth and power. At least 40,000 deaths world-wide have been caused directly by armed conflict over the past year, with 50% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. The vast majority of those killed in war are civilians, indeed woman and children.

It should not be a surprise then, that poverty continues to breed conflict. Of the 13 million deaths due to arm conflict in the last ten years, 9 million occurred in sub-Sahara Africa, where the poorest of the poor live.

More than 650 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation around the world — one for about every 10 people. This has led to millions of deaths and injuries, the displacement of populations, and suffering and insecurity around the world especially the poor countries are heavily affected. Brazil has 38,000 gun deaths per year and a rise in crime and gun culture.

There are 30,000 nuclear warheads in the possession of the declared nuclear weapon states USA, Russia, France, UK and China. On top of that there is worldwide proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology which is being deployed by countries such as India, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea and Israel. When so much military hardware is available around the world terrorists can easily create mayhem by indiscriminate mass killing and destruction. Political violence, organised crime and inciting fear in the civilian population are becoming the hallmark of new terrorism. The war on terror has offered a whole set of justifications for countries to increase their arsenals and push the budget on military spending.

The development of mini nukes and bunker buster bombs by US and its doctrine of pre-emption which has replaced arm control and collective security has made the world a far less secure and stable place. It also gives wrong signals to other countries as they feel vulnerable to attack.

In UK, replacing Britain’s nuclear weapon system Trident could cost as much as £25 billion. Britain is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a decision to replace trident could run counter to its treaty commitments. It costs billions of pounds, will escalate global tensions and undermine- rather than secure- our real security. As Harold Pinter asked, who I wonder is Trident aimed at? Osama Bin Laden? You? Me? Joe Docks? China? Paris? Who knows? Can you imagine what the government could spend £25 billion on? It can make our health and education system much better or help reverse worst effects of climate change or meet United Nations MDG aid target of 0.7% of GNP every year for next 6 years.

Addiction to violence and military culture which is responsible for arms production, sales and its use reveals itself in the following ways:

a) Using violence and war as a route to economic, political and military superiority.

b) For profits made out of manufacture and sale of arms.

c) For use of fear by political elite to control populations, exert authority, extract wealth and fulfilling dreams of expansionism by violating other nations territorial integrity.

d) For fundamentalists to purport violence to justify the ideologies of their groups.

e) Capturing of resources by military for maintaining economic privileges for the rich and committing injustices which can not be secured through diplomacy and treaties.

f) Maintaining large stocks of arms and weapons as an excuse for war on terror and keeping the nations’ security.

g) Creating and planting hostilities, hatred and conflicts in different parts of the world, leading to wars and violence which goes on uninterrupted for decades.

• Responsibility to Protect, legality of war and use of force.

The problem lies perhaps in the evolution of the global system from a bipolar one to a unipolar system and the exceptionalism demanded for some forms of unilateral action. It also arises from the inroads being made into the theory of state sovereignty as an absolute. The controversial 'humanitarian intervention' speech of Secretary General Kofi Annan in 1999 led to the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty whose report was published at the end of 2001.1 It asserted that state sovereignty implied a responsibility to protect its citizens and that where a state was unwilling or unable to provide that protection the principle of non-intervention yielded to the international responsibility to protect. However guiding principles and criteria were carefully described in terms of international law and the circumstances warranting action and the procedure for obtaining authority set out. The obvious limitation of this approach is that in the selective application of new principles the powerful states will ensure that their state sovereignty will not be compromised thus provoking the charge of double standards.

The acceptance by the states of responsibility to protect populations from genocide, crimes, and ethnic cleansing was a break through outcome from the summit of the world leaders in September 2005. However if a member state committed grave and systematic human rights abuses against its own citizens, then it is the duty of the United Nations as a whole to intervene under carefully specified conditions.

During its sixty years existence two wars have been authorised by UN- The 1950- Korean war and The 1991- Gulf war. The recent war on Iraq was illegal on the grounds that no second resolution was authorised by the UN. The United States and its allies never had the mandate to go to war. The illegality of war was confirmed by the secretary general of United Nations, Kofi Annan, in an interview recently.

A much larger question arises that when a country or a coalition of countries can attack another country. Chapter VII of the charter of the UN deals with self defence (article 51), external and internal threats under which action can be taken for the prevention and removal of threats of peace and the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of peace. The action should also be authorised by the Security Council. However, for the first 44 years of the UN, member states often violated these rules and used military force literally hundreds of times paralysing Security Council resolutions.

In considering whether to authorise or endorse the use of military force, the Security Council should always address- whatever other considerations it may take into account- at least the following five basic criteria of legitimacy:

(a) Seriousness of threat.

(b) Proper purpose.

(c) Last resort.

(d) Proportional means.

(e) Balance of consequences.

• Poverty, infectious diseases, and environmental degradation

Poverty is a political problem because, unless it is addressed, we will face a new division of the world, the consequences of which will be even more dangerous than those of the divisions we overcame by ending the East-West confrontation. Dividing the world into islands of prosperity and vast areas of poverty and despair is more dangerous than the Cold War because the two regions cannot be fenced off from each other. Despair creates fertile ground for extremism and terrorism, to say nothing of migration flows, epidemics and new hotbeds of instability. Poverty is a political problem because it cannot be separated from the problems of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Financial Institutions and Big Corporations hand in fuelling poverty and conflict. The role of banks, big corporations, private financial institutions, export credit agencies, subsidies using taxpayer and EU money in financing arms trade fuelling wars and conflicts in many parts of the world. US Dollar 2500 billion is the amount of money laundered through secret bank accounts and tax heavens every year. Maintaining Global Financial Checks Approaching $1.5 trillion worth of international financial transfers take place daily, a high percentage of which is purely speculative. This reduces governments' degree of control over their fiscal policy and can threaten the stability of major currencies. It has therefore been suggested that a tax be levied on such transfers to damp down their scale. Since the proceeds would amount to billions of dollars, the UN with its arrears problems, and the Third World with its debt load and uncertain income, have a desperate interest.

Infectious diseases, and environmental degradation is another cause of poverty. In 25 years since it was first reported, AIDS have become the leading cause of premature deaths in sub-Sahara Africa and the fourth largest killer worldwide. Global spread of malaria and TB are other silent killers reversing decades of development progress in worst affected areas.

The wide spread environmental degradation that scars our planet as seen in melting ice caps, strong hurricanes is a global problem created by over use of land, oil, fossil fuels, and gases and threatens our natural systems and resources for our existence and development. We need to reverse the depletion of natural resources. Recent studies have shown that armed forces are the single largest polluter on earth and long-term disastrous environmental, health and social consequences of war and preparation of war are well documented. If the impact of global warming is not curbed, the future might hold an eruption of desperate all out wars for food, water and energy supplies (Oil & Gas).

• Organised crime, corruption, poor governance and mass migrations

Poor governance, corruption and trans-national crime allows the diversion of resources from social development to lining the pockets of corrupt elites and increase in military spending. It is evident that higher incidence of armed conflict is found in countries with low level of economic development and poorly run democratic institutions. It is government mismanagement and distribution problems and not global food shortages that keep millions hungry.

Inter-tribal fighting, banditry, and clashes for securing natural resources is another reason for poverty. Various studies have shown how conflicts are funded by sale of natural resources like diamond, oil, timber, copper, and gold. Inter-tribal fighting, banditry, and clashes for securing these resources are frequent occurrences between government, paramilitary and rebel forces. Security council have recently voted for a ban on diamond export from Ivory Coast to stop rebels in the war divided nation from using gems to purchase arms. The war on Iraq is an example where the invasion was not undertaken to fight terrorism or eliminate weapon of mass destruction but to safeguard vital oil resources.

Managing mass migrations of humans now move in unprecedented numbers, not simply because there are more people, but because both the need and opportunity have grown: both "push" and "pull" forces are powerful. The UN officially recognizes well over 20 million refugees forced unwillingly out of their own country. Globally, about one person in a hundred is either a refugee or "displaced", i.e. forced unwillingly to move within their country. Other mass migrations are more ambiguous, particularly the uncontrolled flows in poorer countries from country to city.

These are increasingly global issues can best be dealt with at the global level.

Global economic balances, are shifting fast in all domains- manufacturing, trading, and financial with emerging giants China and India tilting the balance. Both of these countries are developing at an unprecedented scale and will leave behind the economies of America and any individual European country. There will be a big struggle for getting oil, water and skilled labour. As they become more wealthy and powerful, they will react differently to world events by enforcing Asian values on democracy, freedom and rule of law.

With unprecedented development in information and technology, terrorists can develop or perhaps able to buy weapons of mass destruction and hold countries to ransom. Same is true of rogue governments, if they get their hands on nukes, they could create mayhem and chaos on a large scale. However, the west and the north will be pushing for global non-proliferation and containment of terrorism. The influence of America, European Union, Japan, and Russia will in the next 10-15 years will be gradually diminishing on world affairs.

The influence of different faiths and religions will gradually increase by a religious renewal specially in the Muslim world. If this influence is wrongly used, it can breed extremists and fundamentalists who might use tactics to contain powerful countries.

• We should find holistic solutions to all the interrelated issues and taking responsibility to deal collectively and have a multilateral approach in dealing with threats and challenges of today. I suggest the concept of common security- peace, environment, social justice and environmental protection- reflects more accurately the purpose of the UN Charter, its treaties and conventions.

• The international community need to link the agenda of development, environment and disarmament together by building partnerships at national and global level. We can not have security amidst starvation and we cannot build peace without alleviating poverty and we cannot have either without a better environment. Only a peaceful society can work its way up to creating the institutions ripe for development and free itself from injustices and human rights abuses. The problems we face today- violent conflicts, destruction of nature, diseases, poverty and hunger etc are human created problems which can be resolved through human effort, understanding and goodness.

• The global world institutions, democratically elected endowed with limited but real powers could support solidarity and peace between the people of the world by establishing laws common to us all.

• We not only need the containment of the unilateralist ambitious of the only superpower and its abuse of naked power, but we need collective will and determination to move ahead boldly to solve the pressing world problems of global governance and democracy facing us today. The international community should work towards phasing the elimination of nuclear weapons. For decades nuclear non-proliferation treaty has saved the world from extinction. We should ensure and cooperate with other countries to maintain the nuclear disarmament and restrict the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

• In a globalised world, where fundamentalism is rife, where there is a clash of culture and civilization, we need discussion and dialogue leading to inter-cultural and inter-religious harmony. We have to work to strike a balance between religious and secular values and forge a unity in this fragmented world. We need respect and tolerance between religious and different groups of people to treat each other with dignity. All types of discrimination, prejudice and racism should be condemned. All religious and ethnic groups, various cultural and political opinions can coexist in an atmosphere of dialogue and mutual respect. The gaps between cultures should be bridged, particularly, Islam and the West, that threaten peace in the world.

• In the sphere of aid, we need to fight against poverty and debt relief, work on doubling the aid for Africa, implementation of Millennium Development Goals. Also improving emergency fund for responding to disasters.
• In the area of peace and security, the General Assembly to adopt and reach an agreement to develop and implement a comprehensive global counter-terrorism strategy.
• Creation of peace building commission to help build countries emerging from violence and conflicts.
• Creation of a human rights council to replace the discredited human rights commission for dealing more objectively and credibly with human rights violations. It should also adhere to human rights norms including dialogue and understanding among civilizations, cultures and religions.
• The creation of a ethics office, a democracy fund, and a stronger protection for whistle blowers is a step in the right direction.
• A dialogue and understanding among civilizations, cultures, and religions can pave a way for safer and brighter future.
• To work for promoting democracy and multilateralism which paired with rule of law can deliver civil liberty, economic opportunity, and security which can change life in a positive way.
• For strengthening democratic institutions and development of pluralistic media, civil society should increase popular participation and ensure that people are able to exercise their democratic rights.
• To make reducing the global incidence of wars and military spending a new Millennium Development Goal (MDG). War retards development, but conversely development retards war. Around 50% of the conflicts of the past 20 years have reoccurred within five years of the peace agreements. Getting rid of war is not a utopian dream. There already exists in the world large regions for example, European Union, within which war is inconceivable.
• To work towards using resources for peaceful and environmentally sustainable purposes. At present the global arms trade, and its accompanying glut of military spending, continues to represent the single most significant perversion of worldwide priorities known today. For the sixth year military spending rose to the trillion dollar mark while billions of people who never see more than $1 or $2 a day are held hostage to unconscionable poverty.
• To make 21st century about governments giving power to the people. A united civil society should use its strength for stopping politicians using their power unilaterally in violation of law and international treaties.

Some of the examples of global governance can be listed as the newly formed International Criminal Court, Kyoto protocol and MDGs where the governments of the world, NGOs and civil society have worked together certain common codes of conduct under which some of the challenges and threats including prosecution for crimes against humanity, protecting the environment and helping the poor to fight HIV AIDs and poverty can be implemented globally.

Global institutions are relevant provided

Thank you very much.

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