Brussels Declaration

Statement by International Leaders in Conflict Resolution and Peace Processes

We, the urdersigned, welcome and commend the proposed steps and new public commitment of the Basque Pro-independence (Abertzale Left) to “exclusively political and democratic” means and a “total absence of violence” to attain its political goals. Fully carried out, this commitment can be a major step in ending the last remaining conflict in Europe.

We note the expectation that the coming months may present a situation where the commitment to peaceful, democratic and noviolent means becomes an irreversible reality. To that end, we appeal to ETA to support this commitment by declaring a permanent, fully verified ceasefire.

Such a declaration appropriately responded to by [Spanish] Government would permit new political and democratic efforts to advance, differences to be resolverd and lasting peace attained.

Brussels. 29 march 2010

Endorsers

· Betty Williams: Nobel Peace Laureate for her work as co-founder of Community of Peace People, an  organization dedicated to promoting a peaceful resolution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland

· Denis Haughey: Was full time assistant to John Hume leader of the Social Democratic Labour Party and served on the Executive of the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International. He participated in the negotiations giving rise to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland

· John Hume: Nobel Peace Laureate for his role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. Is regarded as one of the architects of the NI peace process. Also recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award.

· Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Nobel Peace Laureate and recipient of the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and the Gandhi Peace Prize. He chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and is currently Chairperson of the Group of Elders

· Mary Robinson: Served as the first female President of the Republic of Ireland and immediately thereafter the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She is a founding member and  Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders

· President FW de Klerk: Nobel Peace Laureate (Jointly with Nelson Mandela) for his role in ending apartheid in South Africa. He was the last State President of apartheid-era South Africa and was Deputy President during the Presidency of Nelson Mandela

· The Nelson Mandela Foundation (with an addendum stating that the statement is fully in accord with the ethos of their founder Nelson Mandela)

· Aldo Civico: Director of the Centre for International Conflict Resolution at Columbia University.

· Sheryl Brown: Virtual Diplomacy Director, United States Institute of Peace Washington DC.

· Andrea Bartoli: Director of the Institute  for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University, Washington DC

· Alan Smith: UNESCO Chair on Peace Education, University of Ulster.

· Christopher Mitchell: Emeritus Professor of Conflict Research, Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution USA

· John P Linstrot: Senior Researcher, International Peace Research Institute, Oslo

· Hurst Hannum:  Professor of International Law. The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University

· Jon Etchemendy: Provost (chief academic administrator) at StanfordUniversity.

· William Kelly: Archive of Humanist Art

· Albert Reynolds: Past Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland

· Nuala  O’Loan: Baroness (Member of the House of Lords), first Police Ombud to Northern Ireland and  special envoy in Timor-Leste for the Republic of Ireland.

· Raymond Kendall: former General Secretary INTERPOL

· Silvia Casale: former President of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishmen