Where Peace Meets Human Rights

To start decoding peace, let’s first define it in plain words. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines peace as: ‘’freedom from civil disturbance’’; ‘’a state of security or order within a community provided by law or custom.’’ Another common understanding of peace is an environment in which humans can exist without fear for their lives. However, there are armed conflicts, where human rights are regularly violated. Therefore, peace is the foundation for human rights.

Now, if we take a look at the legal side, the introduction of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a document created by the United Nations after World War II to protect the rights and freedoms of all humans - explains that dignity and human rights do not have to be earned. They exist for every human and cannot be fully taken away. These principles form the basis for freedom, justice and peace in our world. Therefore, human rights and peace are fundamentally linked and need each other to be fully achieved. Human rights and peace go hand in hand.

My name is Delphine Saint-Martin, I have a Master’s Degree in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Tartu, in Estonia, and I have taught human rights at Tallinn English College. These experiences have reinforced my passion for human rights education. There are three key parts to teaching human rights: learning from history, teaching present rights, and empowering generations for the future. 

1. Learning from History

To me, as a French person, learning from history means learning from the horrors of World War II, so they are never repeated. It means learning to build peace and protect human rights. 

The 1951 Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community was ratified between six European countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and West German) was an agreement to achieve political and economic stability. Thanks to it, countries learn that by sharing resources production, having common goals and benefiting from each other, they can work together to achieve a long lasting peace. Now Europe has now known a mostly peaceful period of 70 years, that has benefited many generations. 

2. Teaching Present Rights 

Teaching present human rights means educating people about their own rights and those of others. This enables individuals and communities to work together in achieving and protecting human rights for themselves, others and future generations. Through the achievement of human rights, peace can also be achieved and protected. Sergio Vieira de Mello, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights described: « the realization of human rights [as] our common responsibility, and its achievement is entirely dependent on the contribution that each and everyone will be willing to make ». Teaching human rights raises awareness and empowers individuals and communities to keep contributing to our human rights. 

3. Empowering Future Generations

By learning from the previous generations, we can all learn to not repeat past mistakes, uphold the agreements that are currently in place and construct a future of progress for human rights achievement and peace building.
When looking to the future, there are many areas for improvement that need to be tackled, such as minorities rights. There are also new developments to adapt to, such as fast-developing technologies. 

With Decoding Peace, I’m looking forward to breaking down human rights and international law in these three ways, and making their concepts accessible and understandable for all!