LAW not War: We need your Help!
Posted: 16th March 2024
UNFOLD ZERO Update
LAW not War: We need your Help!
International conflicts should be resolved
peacefully in Court, not on the Battlefield
UNFOLD ZERO joins our partners today (March 16) in launching the LAW not War crowdfunding campaign. Please help us to ensure that international conflicts are resolved peacefully through the rule of law, not through the catastrophe of war.
Visit the LAW not War crowdfunding page
Persuading countries to use law, not war, to resolve conflicts
With armed conflict raging in many parts of the globe, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. However, the LAW not War campaign demonstrates that peace is possible. Legal processes and solutions to international disputes are not only available – in most cases when used, they work.
The challenge is tough – to convince all countries to choose diplomacy and LAW, not war, to resolve international disputes and achieve security. To make this happen, LAW not War has brought together legal and political experts, along with nearly 100 respected organizations from around the world.
Now we need your support to help run the campaign.
Donate to LAW not War
The International Court of Justice works!!!
You may recently have seen the International Court of Justice in the news. Since its establishment in 1945 it has considered 192 cases. Today It is busier than ever before, including hearing three genocide cases and an unprecedented case to hold States accountable for climate justice.The Court, which sits in the Hague, is one of the most effective organs of the United Nations. An analysis of ICJ cases by Judge C.G. Weeramantry (former Vice-President of the ICJ), indicated that about 90% of ICJ cases are implemented, either fully or mostly.
Compliance with ICJ decisions is the norm
“The rule of law requires States to comply systematically with decisions of international courts and tribunals that are binding on them, even if they disagree with a decision. It is encouraging to note that there has been compliance with the vast majority of cases decided by the International Court of Justice to date.”
Judge Joan E. Donoghue
President of the International Court of Justice from 2021-2024.
Speech to the UN Security Council, January 12, 2023
What your contribution to LAW not War will enable
Your support will help us kickstart our campaign and undertake key activities. In particular it will assist:
- Advocacy: We engage directly with States to encourage them to make better use of the jurisdiction of the court for international conflicts and other critical global issues. This includes encouraging States that have not yet accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ to do so.
- Spreading ICJ success stories: There are numerous success stories of the ICJ resolving international conflicts. Spreading these stories can increase awareness of the value of the court and encourage additional States to accept its jurisdiction.
- Key Events: LAW not War is organizing key events on LAW not War at the United Nations, inter-parliamentary and treaty body assemblies, international law events and relevant civil society conferences.
ICJ Success story #1: Chad v Libya
In 1994, the Court settled a longstanding and often bloody dispute between Chad and Libya over ownership of the resource-rich Aouzou Strip between their countries. The Court ruled in Chad’s favor. Libya accepted the decision, withdrew their forces and signed a peace agreement with Chad that still holds today.
Photo: Fighters in the Libya-Chad War
Graphic: Map of the disputed territory between Libya and Chad.
Who is behind LAW not War?
LAW not War is established and managed by: Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace; Basel Peace Office; Citizens for Global Solutions; Peace Action,Training and Research Institute of Romania; UNFOLD ZERO; World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy and the World Future Council.
UNFOLD ZERO is the online host of LAW not War. More than 90 organizations from around the world have joined LAW not War as participating organizations.
All donations received in the crowdfunding campaign will go directly to LAW not War to support activities and events. Yours sincerely
UNFOLD ZERO