Press Release

The International Day of Peace is being observed on the 21st of September. The day is celebrated to promote peace and urge ceasefires wherever there is conflict. The United Nations' broader theme this year is ecological recovery for a sustainable and equitable civilization.

ICHRRF President Dr. Adityanjee was invited to speak at a panel commemorating the occasion. The following are his comments:

On behalf of the International Commission for Human Rights and Religious Freedom, I extend my greetings and join the entire world in praying for world peace, prosperity, and freedom in a world free of conflict and war.

The 2021 theme, as designated by the UN for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”. The ICHRRF takes the pledge to work towards sustainable and equitable development, environmental and social justice for all, especially the marginalized and persecuted world minorities and indigenous communities. We join the entire humanity along with the United Nations in hoping, praying and actively working for a recovery free from the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic.

I appeal to the entire world including all the members states of the UN for cessation of war, armed conflicts and hostilities for at least 24 hours on Tuesday, September 21^st 2021 in keeping with the letter and the spirit of the World Peace Day. I also appeal to the leaders of the countries not recognized by the UN, non-member states and non-state actors to keep the spirit of peace alive by voluntarily joining the world community in building a future that is peaceful and free of war and conflict. I especially appeal to the citizens of the occupied countries and the powers that occupy these countries to work towards peace in the regions under their control. This global ceasefire must continue to be honored, to ensure civilian populations caught in conflict have access to lifesaving vaccinations and treatments.

In the spirit of peace and humanity, I exhort the global pharmaceutical industry to rise to the occasion and give up their intellectual property rights for the vaccines so that they can be manufactured locally by countries that can not afford to purchase the vaccine to prevent further spread of the pandemic. It is one world and there should be only one motive for vaccine production and distribution i.e., saving humanity from the scourge of the pandemic.

I will end my appeal for peace from an ancient prayer from the Yajur Veda:

ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः

पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।

वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः

सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Dyauh Shaantir-Antarikssam Shaantih

Prthivii Shaantir-Aapah Shaantir-Ossadhayah Shaantih |

Vanaspatayah Shaantir-Vishvedevaah Shaantir-Brahma Shaantih

Sarvam Shaantih Shaantir-Eva Shaantih Saa Maa Shaantir-Edhi |

Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

Meaning:

1: Om, Peace is in the Sky; Peace is in Space (between Earth and Sky);

2: Peace is in Earth; Peace is in Water; Peace is in Plants;

3: Peace is in Trees; Peace is in Gods (presiding over the various elements of Nature); Peace is in Brahman (Absolute Consciousness);

4: Peace is pervading everywhere; Peace alone (which is outside) is in Peace (which is inside); May you be (established in) that Peace (and make your life fulfilled);

5: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.