Historians From The United States

"World peace and security are best served when States observe treaties in good faith."

"There are multiple ways of looking at self-determination. One understanding of the right focuses on the legitimacy of choice, so that every people may choose the form of government that it deems appropriate to its culture and traditions. Another perspective focuses on the right of two or more peoples to unify into one single State."

"In its essence, the right of self-determination means that individuals and peoples should be in control of their destinies and should be able to live out their identities, whether within the boundaries of existing States or through independence."

"A government that compromises its competence to defend and protect the interests of the persons living under its jurisdiction betrays its raison d’être and loses its democratic legitimacy"

"Most States have enshrined in their Constitution and legislation the concept of ordre public"

"All international investment agreements under negotiation should include a clear provision stipulating that in case of conflict between the human rights obligations of a State and those under other treaties, human rights conventions prevail"

"Democracy is not exercised only once in a while, but entails a continuing dialogue between representatives and constituents"

"Among the rights that States must ensure are the rights to life, security of person, participation in the conduct of public affairs, homeland, movement, health, education, employment and social security"

"There is consensus among States, judges of international tribunals and professors of international law that self-determination is not only a principle but also a right that has achieved the status of jus cogens."

"A State that fails to ensure the human rights of the population living under its jurisdiction is a failed State"

"To the extent that bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements lead to violations of human rights, they should be modified or terminated"

"Globalization cannot be allowed to become the grand global casino where investors rig the system to guarantee that they always win"

"The issue of corporate criminal responsibility for ecocide and other offences deserves in-depth analysis in a future report"

"Over the past twenty-five years bilateral international treaties and free trade agreements with investor-state-dispute-settlement have adversely impacted the international order and undermined fundamental principles of the UN, State sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law. It prompts moral vertigo in the unbiased observer."

"States should significantly reduce military spending and develop conversion strategies to reorient resources towards social services, the creation of employment in peaceful industries, and greater support to the post-2015 development agenda."

"Austerity is necessary in the military – not in the progressive achievement of economic, social and cultural rights."

"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."

"In totalitarian States citizen have no voice. In democratic countries, however, citizens bear responsibility for the decisions taken by their democratically elected officials. If crimes are committed in their name, it is their responsibility to demand accountability."

"According to a 2014 report, the European Union is spending at least 315 million euros on drone-related projects."

"A truly democratic country must proactively inform the public so that the public can decide on spending priorities."

"It would be preferable to teach that honour and glory can also be won through civil courage and working for social justice."

"In the light of continued warmongering by some States, it is apparent that resolutions of the General Assembly, including its resolution 68/28, have not succeeded in reducing tensions."

"The existence of zero nuclear weapons may sound utopian, but the effort is required in the name of humanity."

"Disarmament is not just an idle promise; it is also a commitment under article 26 of the Charter of the United Nations."

"Frequently, military expenditures are “secret” or concealed, thus frustrating the right of citizens to know how their taxes are being spent."

"Democracy and self-determination serve the overall goal of enabling human security and human rights."

"Representative democracy deserves the predicate “democratic” only if and when parliamentarians genuinely represent their constituents."

"The ideal of direct democracy, including the power of legislative initiative of citizens and control of issues through genuine consultation and referenda has been partially achieved only in few countries."

"Budget and fiscal transparency are necessary tools to prevent the hijacking of the international order by the international military-industrial complex."

"Downsizing military budgets will enable sustainable development, the eradication of extreme poverty, the tackling of global challenges including pandemics and climate change, educating and socializing youth towards peace, cooperation and international solidarity."

"I am especially worried about the impact that investor-state-arbitrations (ISDS) have already had and foreseeably will have on human rights, in particular the provision which allows investors to challenge domestic legislation and administrative decisions if these can potentially reduce their profits."

"I am concerned about the secrecy surrounding negotiations for trade treaties, which have excluded key stakeholder groups from the process, including labour unions, environmental protection groups, food-safety movements and health professionals."

"Article 103 of the UN charter says that if there is a conflict between the provisions of the charter and any other treaty, it is the charter that prevails."

"Norms cannot be applied à la carte."

"An honest book that appeals to reason in dealing with diplomacy, peace, and war. Erudite and endlessly quotable, even aphoristic, this book champions academic freedom and the right to seek and impart information. PROF. DR. ALEXANDRE LAMBERT, Geneva, expert in multilateral organizations and international security"

"Alfred de Zayas empowers readers to consume the mainstream media ‘wise as serpents’ (Jesus Christ, Matthew 10:16) and to see through Fake News, Fake Law and Fake Freedom. This immaculately documented book is at the same time informative, philosophical, concise, clever and amusing. PROF. HARRO VON SENGER, Ph.D., D.J., Swiss jurist"

"A book every peace and human rights activist needs. The intrepid de Zayas beats new paths , demonstrates why honest media is essential to democratic governance and illustrates how indispensable academic freedom and courage are to every democracy. FREDRIK S. HEFFERMEHL, Norwegian jurist, former vice-president of the International Peace Bureau (IPB), founding member of the Lay Down Your Arms Association"

"A must read for anyone wanting to create a socially just world constructed from a holistic vision of the interdependency and indivisibility of human rights, this book is truly a tour de force. DR. JOSEPH WRONKA, Representative to the UN in New York, International Association of Schools of Social Work"

"The ugliness of official lies and suppression of truth in our times is a serious threat to the possibility of a democratic society. Alfred de Zayas’ book is a vigil for a society where press freedom means more than the freedom to buy the press and to lie without restraint. VIJAY PRASHAD, Professor of International Studies, Trinity College, Executive-director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research"

"Alfred de Zayas is a precious resource of humanity as displayed in this wonderfully lucid collection of essays on the afflictions of our time. With the wisdom of a seer and the knowledge of a world class jurist de Zayas is an authoritative voice of reason and equity in this precarious period of dangerous warmongering untruths. Don’t weep, read and then act. RICHARD FALK, Former UN Special Rapporteur and Prof. Emeritus, Princeton University"

"This multifaceted book proposes a new functional paradigm of human rights, which does away with the artificial division of rights into those of the so-called first, second and third generations, and endorses a holistic approach to all human rights, including the rights to development and the right to peace. PINO ARLACCHI, Member, European Parliament, and former Director General of the UN Vienna Office"

"This lucid, hands-on, independent, pragmatic study is a mode d’emploi for achieving a rules-based international order under the UN Charter. PROFESSOR CARLOS VILLÁN DURAN, President of the Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law"

"This book goes to the sources of law and justice and proposes pragmatic solutions to many problems, including those of Indigenous Peoples. SHARON H. VENNE, Notokwew Muskwa Manitokan, Expert in International Law and Indigenous Peoples"

"Zayas proposes a new functional paradigm of human rights for all. PROFESSOR DR. CARLOS CORREA, University of Buenos Aires, Executive Director of South Centre"

"An almanac of world order and international law, covering some of the most crucial issues of our time… HANS KOECHLER, Professor emeritus of Philosophy, University of Innsbruck; President, International Progress Organization, Vienna 2018-19"

"The 25 Zayas Principles of International Order are a modern Magna Carta. MARIA FERNANDA ESPINOSA, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, 2018-19"

"Alfred de Zayas is a gifted human rights lawyer who, alongside Jakob Moller, pioneered the development of UN human rights jurisprudence. He was a dynamic Special Rapporteur, as is evidenced by his Principles for a Democratic and Equitable International Order. BERTRAND RAMCHARAN, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2002-2004"

"I hope that this book will be of great utility in the promotion and protection of human rights. MICHELLE BACHELET, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights"

"Professor de Zayas raises important issues about the politicization of the UN Human Rights Office and the Human Rights Council. He formulates pragmatic proposals for the reform of UN human rights institutions in the spirit of the UN Charter. The book is supported by hundreds of credible sources and calls for serious debate. PROFESSOR TIAN LI, Director of the Center for Human Rights and Peaceful Development & Associate Professor of School of Law, Shandong University, China"

"This book is a long-overdue critique of the human rights system by someone who truly values human rights and who has a unique and valuable perspective as a human rights practitioner for 50 years… I highly recommend this book for experts, practitioners, and lay readers alike. DANIEL KOVALIK, professor of International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and author, No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using “Humanitarian” Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interests"