“Our voice for peace is precious, it’s something the public values, it’s something that makes a difference in the world.”
Today, on World Day of Peace, I was glad to join with others from across the Oireachtas to formally launch the Irish Neutrality League (INL), a campaign which calls on the Irish Government to assert Ireland’s neutrality positively on the world stage, to be a voice for peace, promote human rights, to promote international law and oppose war and militarisation.
Ireland has been and can be a really strong voice on international law, including where there are terrible breaches of international law as we’ve seen with Russian’s illegal invasion and occupation of Ukraine or indeed breaches of international law that may have to be tried in the future as war crimes.
Our credibility as champions of international law is greatly strengthened by our status as a neutral nation, and willingness to promote these same principles everywhere in the world wherever those laws are being breached without fear or favour.
Another powerful contribution Ireland has made to the world is our leadership on disarmament. We were the first country to sign the nuclear non- proliferation treaty and I was proud to be there in person when Ireland negotiated the global ban on cluster munitions. When we see rightful condemnation of the recent use of cluster munitions, it is important to remember that before Ireland negotiated the global ban on cluster munitions these brutal and indiscriminate weapons were commonplace and used widely. Our neutrality was crucial to achieving that ban.
As I said at today’s launch “That is the power of a neutral nation, championing disarmament, leading against nuclear proliferation, leading against the use of atrocious weapons which target and affect civilians. That’s what Ireland’s voice has been in the world.”
Another reason Ireland has had a strong impact as a small nation in the world has been our reputation as a voice for peace and our understanding that peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is something that takes years of work, takes the building of trust, it takes trusted actors to act in a neutral way to support that process.
For Ireland to contribute and be a force for good in Europe and the wider world, on human rights, international law, peace, disarmament or humanitarian support, our neutrality is key. It’s what gives us credibility and strength.
For information on the Irish Neutrality League and to read or sign the shared statement see www.neutrality.ie
I was glad to begin International Women's Day at the World Congress on Women's Mental Health which was hosted by the National Women's Council of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. The event shone a light on mental health issues affecting women, including the issue of reproductive rights.
Independent Senator Alice-Mary Higgins is running for re-election to Seanad Éireann (NUI Panel) as a strong progressive voice for equality, environment, public services and human rights.