Peace Discussion in London amidst Impending Global Conflict

London, UK – While the world was sending its grievances and expressing fury at the indiscriminate armed violence perpetuated by terrorists on Friday, 13 November in Paris, the HWPL International Law Peace Committee members and renowned international law scholars met with HWPL Chairman and Peace Activist, Mr. Man Hee Lee, to discuss the 2nd draft of the International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. Discussions were held over the course of three intensive meetings on November 12th through 14th in London, and included a post-action plan for the finalization of the draft Convention and its implementation.

The International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts is HWPL’s core initiative, which was first presented at the 1st Annual Commemoration of the World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Summit in September this year. It aims to prevent any non-peaceful activities throughout the world.

Chairman Lee declared at the International Law Committee meeting that

“without the implementation of an International Convention on the Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts, world peace would remain a remote goal. Because law itself acts as watchman, no one can easily perpetuate violence and cause conflicts once the International Convention is set in stone. Today at this very important gathering, the HWPL International Law Peace Committee members will present the 2nd draft of the Convention, which can then be divided into each provision which will be finalized by making necessary revisions. Once implemented, this Convention will be engraved in the hearts of many people to have a peaceful life.”

Dr. Kamal Hossain, the Vice Chair of the International Law Association, played an integral role in drafting the constitution of Bangladesh and is active in the arena of peace activism. During the committee meeting Dr. Hossain said, “The International Convention on the Cessation of War is imperative for various reasons because this initiative was developed from the marginalized voices, the voices of women and youth. War does not benefit anyone rather it takes everything away. This innovative Convention will strengthen our global society and international law framework by supplementing the gaps.”

One of the members of the HWPL International Law Peace Committee said, “There are other institutions that are dealing with the same subjects. What we have is the strong network which can be provided by HWPL. We can propose a Declaration and with it, HWPL, as an organization representing a number of legal minds, can approach the heads of state, calling on them to help this initiative….Chairman Lee is someone with lots of wisdom and has access to a large number of young people. At the end of the day, the change can only come from states, and as such, they must be pushed…This provides room for innovation and initiative.”

Upon its presentation, it is expected that the revised Convention will serve as a unique and effective tool in preventing any further non-peaceful activities like terrorist attacks and civil wars. It will ensure lasting peace.

Prior to their trip to London, Chairman Lee and the HWPL Peace Delegation visited Los Angeles and El Salvador to meet with international heads of state, religious leaders, media, and youth to speak about the urgency of a united commitment for HWPL’s peace initiatives. Educators and community leaders in LA expressed their commitment to work with HWPL to incorporate HWPL’s peace-building campaigns into their classroom. The City Council of Santa Tecla, El Salvador and the citizens volunteered to build the Peace Monument and collaborated with HWPL to take a new leap toward bringing peace in their communities.

International Peace Advocate Mr Lee Visits Japan

On the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War II, South Korean peace advocate and Chairman of Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) Mr. Man Hee Lee made a 3-day visit to Japan, following his visit to China. Amongst the topics of discussion during his meetings with Chinese and Japanese leaders were the recent territorial disputes within Asia and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

While in China, Mr. Lee was awarded the ‘Peace Advocate of World Peace’ award from the Vice President of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhang Meiying.
Addressing women’s groups, youth groups, cultural and religious leaders in Japan, Chairman Lee spoke on the theme of The Source to Achieve World Peace.

“If each nation’s heads and leaders desire for world peace and love their people, they should sign the cessation of war into international law and sign the peace agreement, affirming that they will cooperate to achieve peace” said Chairman Lee. Following the speech, the peace agreement was unanimously signed by attending leaders.

Nearly the end of the meetings with leaders, Pema Gyalpo, the professor of law in Toin University of Yokohama, who is also known as the founder of GIFT (Global Issues Forum) rushed to meet Mr. Man Hee Lee after his trip from India. He showed respect to Mr. Lee for his diligent work for peace and shared many common grounds with him as a veteran himself. After their conversation, the professor suggested to act as advisor for the international law that the Chairman is pursuing. He also decided to sign the peace agreement and agreed to participate ‘World Alliance of Religions: Peace Summit 2014’ hosted by HWPL on this coming September.

Furthermore, Chairman Lee also met with the International Buddhist Congregation (IBC) in Japan. Among the topics addressed during their meeting was the critical role of religion. He also spoke on the importance of the peace agreement as a commitment to continue mutual cooperation for peace, “Practical evidence is necessary such as the peace agreement of Mindanao Island” said Chairman Lee. Afterwards, the Chairwoman of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) Nam Hee Kim emphasized the need for international cooperation through cultural events and meetings. She addressed young women leaders, calling them to actively work for peace.

Last January, Mr. Lee mediated a peace agreement in the war-torn region of Mindanao, Philippines, where regional religious tension between Catholics and Muslims has led to over 10,000 casualties. Working with the citizens of the Philippine city Zamboanga, Chairman Lee organized a Peace Walk that gathered over 12,000 participants—a bold proclamation that world peace is possible.

Mr. Lee is now currently on his 14th world tour, having visited 54 countries. Media stations like Korea Today, Asia News Agency and Dongyang Economic News documented and broadcasted the news of Mr. Lee’s Northeast Asia visit.

Peru families receive bodies of dirty war victims

The small farmers came from remote mountains and jungle valleys to receive the exhumed remains of loved ones slain three decades ago during Peru's dirty war.

Hundreds arrived in the Ayacucho state capital for Monday's handover of 80 sets of remains. Simple white coffins bore the bones of fathers, mothers, wives, children and brothers.

Some were slain by Shining Path rebels. Others were killed by soldiers, accused of collaborating with the guerrillas.

Who will condensate for the lost life?  Chairman of HWPL, Man Hee Lee, said in his Declaration of the World Peace statement "Of what use is a young life, born in our day and age, if it is thrown away in this manner - thrown away without having had a chance to bloom?"   "What price can compensate for the loss of a life? Do these young souls have another chance at life?"

One life lost in the war and conflict is too many!  We need an international law that prevent anyone, country to declaring war against  another individual or a country.  

How many people have died from wars?

What is a war?

War is defined as an active conflict that has claimed more than 1,000 lives.

Has the world ever been at peace?

Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them, or just 8 percent of recorded history.

How many people have died in war?

At least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century. Estimates for the total number killed in wars throughout all of human history range from 150 million to 1 billion. War has several other effects on population, including decreasing the birthrate by taking men away from their wives. The reduced birthrate during World War II is estimated to have caused a population deficit of more than 20 million people.

How many people around the world serve in the military?

The combined armed forces of the world have 21.3 million people. China has the world's largest, with 2.4 million. America is second with 1.4 million. India has 1.3 million, North Korea 1 million, and Russia 900,000. Of the world's 20 largest militaries, 14 are in developing nations?

How many wars are taking place right now?

At the beginning of 2003 there were 30 wars going on around the world. These included conflicts in Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, China, Colombia, the Congo, India, Indonesia, Israel, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

Man Hee Lee, chairman of HWPL  proclaimed the Declaration of World peace to bring people around the world together to end the wars that kills precious  life of young men and women.  

Declaration of World Peace

Officially proclaimed at 5.25 Peace Walk at the Peace Gate, the Declaration of World Peace is HWPL’s vision for sustainable peace

"The Heavens and the Earth formed by the hands of the Creator have been given to humanity as an inheritance.
In all the universe, life in its vast splendor exists only on our world.

The life that grows on the earth is sustained from above - by light, by the rain, and by the air they provide unconditionally to all living beings.
We have received the precious gift of life from above, let us give glory to heaven, and live in peace on earth. This is the truest teaching of heaven.

With this eternal gift - the grace and life we have received - are we entitled to fight, kill and destroy one another?
We cannot claim to desire peace and continue to provoke one another, causing conflict for the sake of valuing our own national interests above those of others.
This will only take the lives of the youth, wasting them in the futility of war.
This is not a legacy we can leave to future generations.

Of what use is a young life, born in our day and age, if it is thrown away in this manner - thrown away without having had a chance to bloom?
What price can compensate for the loss of a life?
Do these young souls have another chance at life?

As emissaries of World Peace;
as people who are working towards the restoration of humanity through a new and heavenly culture, we declare the following:

We call on the heads of state of every country to sign an international agreement - a commitment to bringing all wars to an end.
We ask them to do this from a spirit of deep-seated love for the people of their country.

We call on all youth to unite in an effort to stop wars and pursue the restoration of peace by agreeing not to fight one another. For World Peace to become a reality,
this is the duty of all youth, everywhere.

The only way to stop the fighting and pointless, tragic deaths, is to stop fighting.
Nobody can ask for anything greater than this, and know that your efforts - the efforts of the young people of the world today in pursuit of peace - will remain as a never fading light of life for all future generations.

Furthermore, we call on every person, every man, woman, and child in the world, to pick up the mantle of peace.
In whatever way you can, we ask that you work to further the cause of world peace and restoration,
making it a reality in your direct environments.

Lastly, we call on the media to report responsibly and promote a message of peace to the world.

World peace and restoration has begun at the same time this declaration is proclaimed.
Thank you.

The purpose of IPGY & HWPL, peace organization

HWPL and IPGY devoted to bring the wars that kills life to an end.  Please join them, let us bring peaceful world together.