Am 2. Mai wurde der internationale Aufruf "Disarm! Don't Arm!" veröffentlicht, der auf unserem Aufruf "abrüsten satt aufrüsten" basiert und unter anderem von mehreren Nobelpreisträger*innen, Parlamentarieren und internationalen Gewerkschaftlern unterzeichnet wurde. Im Folgenden der Aufruf im Worlaut.
"Disarm! Don't Arm!
Military spending must be decreased everywhere. Global arms expenditure is higher than at any time since WWII, and consumes 35 times the total cost of the entire United Nations system.
Now, NATO countries are being pressed to increase their military spending by a further 2% in the coming years. For European countries 2% GDP spending for the military means a minimum increase of 300 billion Euros (from 500 billion to 800 billion). The United States will be spending more than US$ 700 billion dollars on its military in 2018. Elsewhere, both China’s and India’s annual military spending will increase by 8% this year, while the Australian Government has announced it will assist growth in arms manufacturing and exports. Vast sums are being spent prosecuting wars in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. Saudi Arabia has now overtaken Russia as the third-highest on the military spending list. This spending is draining financial resources from vital services: including from schools, day-care centres, public housing, hospitals, public transportation, municipal infrastructure, retirement pensions, environmental reconstruction, climate justice, and international aid for empowerment and capacity building.
Furthermore, there has been no public debate regarding the adoption of security policies which demand increasing expenditures for military rearmament. Instead, we really need to invest in more resources devoted to conflict prevention which should be a major objective of foreign and development policy.
The use of the military does not solve problems. We need to oppose increased militarization. Alternative policies are needed.
A good start would be: stop military rearmament, reduce tensions, build mutual trust and create support for development and social security. This requires a strong and well-financed United Nations.
All countries need to settle conflict with dialogue.
We will work to spread these ideas and commitments throughout our societies. We must stop military conflicts and international confrontation.
No to an increase in military expenditure - disarming is the order of the day!
Initiated by:
Reiner Braun, Co-President of IPB (International Peace Bureau) | Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) | Noam Chomsky, Professor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) | Lisa Clark, Co-President of IPB (International Peace Bureau) | Paul Crutzen, Nobel Laureate of Chemistry| Marie Dennis, Co-President of Pax Christi International, USA | Bishop Kevin Dowling, C.SS.R, Co-President of Pax Christi International, South Africa | Antje Heider - Pottweil, Oberkirchenrätin i.R (member of the High Consistory), President of Church and Peace | Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union | Jagoda Munič, Director of Friends of the Earth Europe| Karin Nansen, Chairperson of Friends of the Earth International| Greet Vanaerschot, Secretary General of Pax Christi International"
Eine Liste der Erstunterzeichner*innen findet sich auf unserer Webseite.
|
