Law for Peace
LAW FOR PEACE
“It is everyone’s duty to reduce the existing causes of conflict and pursue harmonious coexistence.”
After two devastating world wars, the United Nations was founded for the purpose of preventing war and maintaining international peace and security. Since then, many international instruments have been developed to ensure peace, and the global community recognized the need not only to prevent and prohibit armed conflict and violence but also to cooperate with each other. Still today, many factors such as interfaith conflict, ethnic hatred, and cultural prejudice are threatening peace.
The international community should work towards a comprehensive legal solution that can secure peace and protect the daily lives of all citizens regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or religion. By preparing a legal instrument that can ensure and maintain peace at the national and international levels, we can turn our world into a peaceful place.
HWPL is engaged in peace activities centered on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) with the aim of establishing a legal framework for sustainable peace.
Our duty for peace
What is the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)?
On 14 March 2016, HWPL proclaimed the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which was drafted with the participation of international law experts from 15 countries. This declaration, comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses, aims to restore the spirit that served as the basis for the establishment of the United Nations and to achieve sustainable peace by promoting the universal values of the global community. The DPCW embodies the principles and measures for preventing and resolving conflicts and sustaining a peaceful global society.
“The ten articles of the DPCW contain three important values”
First, prevention of conflict (Article 1-5)
Call upon States to cooperate towards gradual disarmament, repurpose weapons manufacturing facilities to serve purposes that are beneficial to humanity, and develop friendly relations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples
Second, settlement of conflict (Article 6-7)
Reaffirm the role of international supervisory bodies in maintaining global peace and security and call for arbitration, mediation, and conciliation as means of settling disputes peacefully
Third, maintenance of peace (Article 8-10)
Address the principles and conduct that can maintain a peaceful global society once it is established
DPCW
10 Articles and 38 Clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)
Article 1 – Prohibition of the threat or use of force
Article 2 –
War potential
Article 5 –
Self-determination
Article 6 –
Dispute settlement
Article 7 –
Right to self-defence
Article 8 –
Freedom of religion
Article 9 –
Religion, ethnic identity and peace
Article 10 –
Spreading a culture of peace
Article 4 –
State boundaries
Article 3 –
Friendly relations and the prohibition of acts of aggression
MILESTONES
2022
Signed an MOU with PARLANDINO
Sep
2020
Adopted a Resolution Supporting the DPCW in the Municipality of Kapalong, in the Province of Davao del Norte, Davao City, Philippines
Jan
2019
Signing of MOA with the Coalition of Caribbean Leaders for Peace, comprised of nine former presidents and prime ministers of seven Caribbean countries
Dec
Adopted a Resolution Supporting the DPCW in Cotabato City, Philippines
Sep
2018
Signing of MOU with the International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies and Consensus, a group of former heads of Eastern European countries
Sep
Signing of MOU with the Pan-African Parliament, the legislative body of the African Union
Jul
May
Peace Conference for UN Permanent Representatives
The conference, held at the UN Headquarters, was attended by UN Permanent Representatives of 145 countries
2017
Adoption of a resolution in support of the DPCW by PARLACEN, a parliament of six member states including Guatemala
Jul
2016
Proclamation of the 10 articles and 38 clauses of the DPCW, launch of the “Legislate Peace” (LP) project
Mar
The conference, held at the UN Headquarters, was attended by UN Permanent Representatives of 145 countries
2015
Inauguration of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee
Sep
A committee of 21 international law experts from 17 countries was established
2014
29 national leaders including incumbent and former heads of state signed an agreement to work towards an international instrument on the cessation of war
Signing of the Agreement to Propose the Enactment of International Law for the Cessation of Wars and World Peace
Sep
MAIN INITIATIVES
1. Support from Governments
Five countries – Seychelles, Eswatini, Comoros, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Vincent – have expressed their support for the DPCW at the national level. High-ranking leaders of eight Pacific Island countries announced a follow-up agreement, and the National Assembly of Ecuador prepared a letter supporting the DPCW.
2. Support from IGOs and Former Heads of State
Former Prime Minister Said Musa of Belize formed the Coalition of Caribbean Leaders for Peace (CCLP), a group of former presidents and prime ministers of the Caribbean Community member states, to support the adoption of the DPCW at the international level, and the group is expanding its advocacy activities. Also, HWPL signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative body of the African Union, to cooperate on peace work. The International Centre for Black Sea-Baltic Studies and Consensus, whose members are former heads of Eastern European states, signed the Goseong Agreement to work together for the implementation of the DPCW, and the Central American Parliament (PARLANCEN) passed a resolution in support of the DPCW. Former and current national leaders of Pacific Islands countries signed the HWPL – Pacific Islands Comprehensive Agreement on Advocacy for the DPCW to actively advocate the declaration.
3. Support from Civil Society
Since 2016, the “Legislate Peace” (LP) project has collected signatures supporting the DPCW from about 730,000 citizens around the world. Moreover, 176 high-ranking leaders such as former and current heads of state, chief justices, and speakers of parliaments have signed their support for the DPCW.
4. HWPL’s Peace Initiative in Mindanao
Even before the DPCW was proclaimed, its principles were already being practiced in one region, Mindanao of the Philippines. Mindanao is on the path to peace after ending the military collision between the Philippine government and Moro groups, which lasted over 40 years and resulted in more than 120,000 casualties. Seeing how peace was being created in Mindanao according to the Declaration of World Peace, the foundation document of the DPCW, HWPL became certain that a law for peace can transform conflict into peace. Since the DPCW was proclaimed, Mindanao has taken the lead in implementing the DPCW in practice. Mindanao’s governor and a religious leader achieved interethnic and interfaith reconciliation (Article 5 and 9 of the DPCW), civil society is involved in the LP project, and the Ministry of Education is introducing peace education to the region (Article 10 of the DPCW).
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In General Santos on 14 January 2014, a civilian agreement was signed for the peace of Mindanao. The signing ceremony, hosted by HWPL and organized by the IWPG and the IPYG, was attended by over 300 residents including politicians, university professors, religious leaders, and students. Before the audience, Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Robles Capalla of Archdiocese of Davao and Governor Esmael G. Mangudadatu of Maguindanao signed the agreement as representatives to cooperate in ceasing the conflict and building peace.
With this agreement as a starting point, HWPL launched a peace movement to raise public awareness of peace not only in Mindanao but throughout the Philippines, based on the universal principles of mutual understanding, respect, and harmony. Also, civil society sectors such as education, religion, youth, and women are actively engaged in HWPL’s peace initiatives to remove the causes of conflict and strengthen the values of peaceful development.
The 24th of January was declared as HWPL Day, and a monument was established to commemorate the signing of the Mindanao Peace Agreement. Davao City’s museum and public library are exhibiting HWPL’s peace activities. Students from elementary school to college are growing into messengers of peace through peace education, and on 25 May of every year, youth and women participate in peace walks. Moreover, religious leaders regularly convene at the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office to engage in interfaith discussions based on religious texts.
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In line with Article 10 of the DPCW, HWPL is taking a long-term approach to its peace initiatives in Mindanao in order to establish peace as a culture and a common value. To prevent the international community’s support and effort from being thwarted again by war, HWPL is endeavoring to strengthen public awareness of peace in Mindanao and across the Philippines through peace education and interfaith dialogue.
5. DPCW Curriculum
On 14 March of every year since 2015, the HWPL International Law Peace Committee meetings have been held, where international law experts discussed ways to achieve the adoption of the DPCW at the international level and contribute to the realization of peace. In order to provide students of law with quality education on the values of human rights and peace in the DPCW, a curriculum was completed in 2020. Currently, education is being offered in India and Bangladesh, and discussions are underway to introduce the DPCW Curriculum to more countries.