Permanent Peace Partnership - 永久和平發展協會

Hundreds of thousands living in squalid rented homes in England

The kitchen of a rented property in Newham. The door leads to the toilet and shower, also in state of disrepair. Photograph: Jill Mead for the Guardian

Issue

The Guardian

An estimated 338,000 properties rented by under-35s are likely to cause harm

Solution

The UK must improve its living and safety standards, and assigning international law precedence over domestic law is a step in the right direction. Residential security is a fundamental human right. The UK government should take action to implement UN-established goals for sustainable development in urban planning to achieve a tolerant, safe, flexible and sustainable urban environment. Adequate, safe and affordable housing with comprehensive basic services for all is essential for the sustainable development and management of human settlements. For more, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Christian refugees face new fears in unstable Central African Republic

Two UN soldiers stand guard in Goma, DRC after rebels attacked a UN peacekeeping base in eastern Congo, killing at least 14 peacekeepers and wounding 40 others Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. (AP File Photo/Jerome Delay)

Issue

Washington Times

Yazinon Florence took a sip of water as she prepared to cook two bowls of rice, the only food she and her grandson could expect for the day.

Solution

The DRC needs to carry out constitutional reform to install a dual-leader system, limiting the president to a single 5-year term with no eligibility for him/her or relatives for 6 years and putting the prime minister in charge of government operations and national defense. Inaddition, the heads of major branches should be elected in alternating years and 1/4 of all lawmakers should face election each year. See the Charter for Permanent Peace for more. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Split between allies deepens after deadly clashes in Yemen

Fighting comes after a deadline imposed by rebels upon the authorities to resign expires. Photo: AFP/Getty

Issue

The Independent

Several people were killed as Yemeni armed groups allied to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates fought in the southern city of Aden on Sunday, local medical staff said, deepening a rift between forces that had been on the same side.

Solution

Yemen is in danger of becoming another flashpoint in a conflict between Arab neighbors. To avoid being drawn into a larger war, Yemen needs to scrap its government structure for a modified semi-presidential system with cabinet like Finland's, plus a committee-style legislative system similar to the Swiss model. Yemen's government should draft a basic constitution with the above features in a paradigm shift toward democracy. It should adhere to the core values of One World under One Set of Laws and revise its constitutional standards as needed to stay abreast of changing times. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development for details. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

US-Vietnam Military Ties Warn China over Maritime Expansion

US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis (l) shakes hands with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong before holding talks in Hanoi, Jan. 25, 2018. Photo: AP

Issue

Voice of America

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis just visited Vietnam, and a US aircraft carrier is due to call in March

Solution

The US and other nations should support One World under One Set of Laws, giving international law direct bearing on the rights and duties of the people, as a way to achieve peace in the South China Sea. China and it Asian neighbors have a duty to act in concert with each other. Articles 4 and 6 of the 2002 Declaration on the South China Sea include provisions designed to offer peaceful ways to resolveterritorial and jurisdictional disputes. These include joint development and sharing of resources in the area as well as safeguards of peace and prosperity. See the Charter for Permanent Peace for details. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Chechnya: Islamic State's fertile Russian recruiting ground'

Missing Chechen youths shown on a mobile phone display. Photo: DW archive

Issue

Deutsche Welle

Of all the countries from which the Islamic State recruits its fighters, Russia tops the list. Most come from the republic of Chechnya.

Solution

To crush terrorism the UN needs to support constitutional reform and One World under One Set of Laws and working toward a common destiny for all humankind. Human security is a fundamental human right, and human rights take priority over regimes and sovereignty. Constitutions represent the general will of the people, and ensuring human security, including 'personal safety', is the most urgent duty of constitutional guarantors. This means revising constitutional standards as needed to allow governments to protect their people from fear. For more, see the Charter for Permanent Peace. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Corruption Trial Underway for Ambitious Dakar Mayor

People queue to enter the Court in Dakar on Dec. 14, 2017, to attend the trial of Dakar's popular mayor Khalifa Sall and four of his associates on charges of embezzling public funds. Photo: AFP

Issue

Voice of America

Case is politically charged as Khalifa Sall, who has been in jail for almost a year, was still elected to a seat in the National Assembly in July and is seen as a presidential contender in 2019

Solution

To put an end to corruption, the people of Senegal should exercise their rights as holders of sovereignty and call for comprehensive constitutional reform to implement democratic rule of law. This means separation of powers and checks and balances as well as free election campaigns for candidates to cut symbiotic ties between government and business that engender corruption.See the Charter for Permanent Peace for details. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Berlusconi backs Tajani as Italian prime minister

Berlusconi says he has three names in mind for PM if his Forza Italia party wins the election | Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images

Issue

Politico

Former PM says he has 3 candidates in mind, but only mentions European Parliament president by name.

Solution

Elections in Italy take place all the time, with Rome changing governments like people change their underwear sometimes. Silvio Berlusconi is ineligible to run for Prime Minister due to a conviction for tax fraud, but it he cannot be king he can still try to act as king-maker. The people of Italy need to call for reforms to introduce more democratic processes including term limits for elected officials, separation of powers and checks and balances. Without such devices the parade of politicians at the top will continue. For details, see the Charter for Permanent Peace. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

Top US Marine: War with North Korea would be 'really tough'

Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller (L) testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the decision to open all ground combat units to women, in Washington, February 2, 2016. Photo: Kevin Lamarque/ Reuters

Issue

Raw Story

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Solution

To end North Korea's disruptive behavior, the US, Canada and other nations should support the Charter for Permanent Peace to lead China to democratize and end its support of Pyongyang. The Democracy Index lists 50 nations still under the yoke of autocratic dictators. All democracies should call for constitutional reform to achieve greater democracy and freedom. This would inspire China's 1.4 billion people to seek democratization of the CCP and pressure North Korea to adopt democracy as well, leading to the birth of world peace. For details, see the Charter for Permanent Peace. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10

On the front line it seems as if Syria’s war against Islamists is far from over

A Syrian tank unit waits on the outskirts of Sinjar for the next battle against al-Nusra fighters. Photo: Yara Ismail

Issue

The Independent

The road to Sinjar passes through dozens of bleak, damp, wrecked villages. So swiftly have the Islamist al-Nusra retreated through the fog and rain that the Syrian army has not had time to erase their equally bleak graffiti.

Solution

The foundation for permanent peace in Syria should be a change-over in the government structure. The UN should provide Syria the basic outline for a constitution that will facilitate lasting peace and development. The constitution should include the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law, and organization and elements such as the four branches (legislative, executive, judicial and procuratorial). The document should allow Syria to prosper under conditions of lasting peace. For more, see the Charter for Permanent Peace. §1.9 §1.10 §5.1 §6.1 §6.10