Alfred de Zayas: Trending quotes (page 9)

“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 de Zayas

United Nations expert urges states to cut military spending and invest more in human development http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/D5D061E9891363C1C1257CB7003055E0?OpenDocument.
2014

Peace , Time

“Reduced military budgets will release funds for the promotion and protection of human rights and for addressing global problems such as pandemics, climate change, deforestation and acute water shortages.”

Alfred de Zayas

Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order exploring the adverse impacts of military expenditures on the realization of a democratic and equitable international order http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IntOrder/Pages/Reports.aspx.
2015, Report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council

Problem , Water , Change

“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 de Zayas

Statement by Alfred de Zayas on World Water Day 22 March 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13175.
2013

People , World , Effort , Water

“The right of self-determination must be implemented through specific measures.”

Alfred de Zayas

Report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order on the right of self determination http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IntOrder/Pages/Reports.aspx.
2015, Report submitted to the UN General Assembly

“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 de Zayas

UN expert on democracy highlights importance of free expression, information http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46355&Cr=information&Cr1=#.Um9rdr_3DjA.
2013

Box

“If you want to make America great again, all you have to do is to revive the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt.”

Alfred de Zayas

2020

Making love

“It’s quite clear that when you impose sanctions on a country that the population is going to suffer. It’s ridiculous to pretend that the sanctions are only going to affect the government elite. In fact, the government elite usually continues living rather well. It’s the most vulnerable – women, children – who have to pay for the consequences of these illegal sanctions.”

Alfred de Zayas

2020

Children , Suffering , Women , Country

“The post-pandemic world should be a world of international solidarity – without unilateral coercive measures. This is the moment for the international community to reaffirm the principles of multilateralism contained in the UN Charter and demand that unilateral coercive measures that cause death and suffering be condemned by the International Criminal Court as a crime against humanity.”

Alfred de Zayas

2020

World , Death , Suffering , Communication

“Let us rediscover the spirituality of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and revive the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, Charles Malik and Rene Cassin. We owe it to ourselves and future generations. With God’s help we will build – together – a better world.”

Alfred de Zayas

2020

God , Future , Help , Universe

“There is nothing more undemocratic and corrosive to the rule of law than a coup d’état.”

Alfred de Zayas

Quoted in As a former UN special rapporteur, the coup in Venezuela reminds me of the rush to war in Iraq, The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/venezuela-crisis-coup-maduro-guaido-us-troops-un-iraq-a8767506.html (7 February 2019)
2019

Law

“Democracy is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve the sacred promises of human dignity, justice and peace.”

Alfred de Zayas

Alfred de Zayas' aphorisms http://www.alfreddezayas.com/aphorisms.shtml.

Democracy , Peace , Justice

“Can you tell me who is good and who is bad ? The ancient "we and they" divides us artificially.”

Alfred de Zayas

"Beatitudes", Sam Hamill, Poets Against the War 2003

Bad luck

“In global warming and pollution we eclipse, in lies and wars to nuclear apocalypse.”

Alfred de Zayas

Esoteric Magazine, University of British Columbia 2005, p. 28

War

“Pathos is for adolescents.”

Alfred de Zayas

Panem et circenses, Esoteric Magazine, University of British Columbia, 2004, p. 21

“In a world of fake news, fake history, fake law, fake diplomacy, it is no surprise to encounter fake democracy along the way.”

Alfred de Zayas

2021

Democracy , History , Law , Way

“Patriotism means different things to different people. For me it entails citizen solidarity in promoting justice at home and resisting official lies, apologetics, euphemisms, crime and tyranny. Love of country requires a commitment to truth and readiness to counter «fake news » and skewed political «narratives.»”

Alfred de Zayas

Internationally, patriotism means averting harm from one’s country by pro-actively seeking dialogue and compromise, so as to contribute to peace and justice – pax et iustitia.
2021

Home , People , Truth , Country