Dureza tells UN body not to interfere in other countries’ affairs

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza has called on members of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) to refrain from being “self-appointed guardians of shared values” and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.

Speaking at the just concluded Eighth Global Forum of the UNAOC at the UN headquarters in New York City, Dureza urged the body to desist from being intrusive and judgmental in viewing other countries differently from their own sets of standards.

“We must respect each other’s dignity and independence. We must refrain from being self-appointed guardians of shared values and parachuting into another domain and into other countries interfering in their own internal affairs,” Dureza told the international body on Friday where he delivered the Philippine statement on the theme, “Commit2Dialogue: Partnerships for Prevention and Sustaining Peace.”

UNAOC is a high-level group entity assisting in diminishing hostility and promoting harmony among the nations. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan described it as a “soft power” tool for bridging divides and promoting understanding between countries or identity groups, all with a view toward preventing conflict and promoting social cohesion.

In his speech, Dureza narrated the country’s own challenges and experiences in sustaining peace and preventing conflict in the last five decades – a work, he said, could even take a “lifetime.”

“The Philippines has its own challenges on un-peace and conflict. These realities have become indeed generational challenges that must decisively be addressed and confronted with,” Dureza said.

As the country deals with the insurgency problems against the armed communist members of the New Peoples’ Army, he noted that the communities have become vulnerable and most affected by the conflict.

Although the on-and-off peace negotiations have been canceled, he continued that the Philippine government has shifted to “localized peace engagements” aimed to provide assistance and support to all those who would like to leave the armed struggle and live peaceful lives.

Under the Duterte administration, Dureza also noted that the Philippines has achieved milestones with regards to the Muslim rebels in Southern Mindanao with the recent passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law after almost 50 years of work spanning several presidencies and governments.

“The emergence of violent extremism is the bigger challenge today. It reared its ugly head just recently in our so-called Islamic City of Marawi down south in Mindanao resulting to massive devastation of structures and the displacement and suffering of thousands of its innocent residents which was all done by violent extremists,” he said.

Gauging from the country’s long years of experience in working for peace, Dureza said it is a must to address the root cause and know what are the “triggers” of conflict in order to work for durable and sustainable peace.