PRESS RELEASE | 6 Feb 2019
Berghof Foundation joins 73 organisations’ call for the rescue of the European peace project
For peace. For human rights. For Europe.
In the run-up to the European Parliament elections, 74 organisations and institutions from nine European countries call for the rescue of the European peace project.
In the run-up to the European Parliament elections in May 2019, a broad alliance of 74 organisations and institutions from nine European countries is calling for the rescue of the European peace project. The signatories range from peace organisations, to church associations, to development and environmental organisations, and include the Berghof Foundation, Bread for the World, Greenpeace and Misereor.
The alliance criticises the European Union's plans to invest billions in arms research and military cooperation with third countries. The EU must not arm states that wage war or violate human rights. The promotion of peace and human rights must not fall victim to defence against flight and migration.
In view of the large number of violent conflicts, the signatories demand that the EU invest more in nonviolent conflict management.
“We urge the future Members of the European Parliament to take their responsibility for a functioning European peace order seriously. Increasing expenditure on defence while at the same time cutting spending on non-military peace operations sends a fatal signal. It will shift perceptions away from the EU being a peace power,” said Hans-Joachim Giessmann, Executive Director at the Berghof Foundation.
Everyone in the European Union is invited to sign the appeal at www.savethepeaceproject.eu before the European Parliament elections are held from 23 to 26 May 2019.
“We are encouraged to see so many organisations came together at this crucial time for the European Union. We now call on people throughout the EU to sign the appeal in order to put pressure on their elected representatives to ensure the European Union uses its power for peace unconditionally,” said Andrea Joras, Executive Director at the Berghof Foundation.
The Berghof Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation creating space for conflict transformation towards sustainable peace around the world.
Note to editors
You can find the full text of the appeal, a list of the 74 signatory organisations and institutions as well as background information on the three demands to the European Parliament, here.
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