Social justice, key to global peace
GLOBAL peace and collective security, well-being and true prosperity, are only achievable through unity of humanity, and the unity of humankind is conditional on observing social justice towards every member of the human family.
Human Rights Day, observed on December 10, was a reminder that peace is closely related to justice, and to the observance of human rights.
“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established”, states Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
He asserts that the chief instrument for the transformation of society and the achievement of unity is the establishment of justice in the affairs of humanity. He further states that, "The light of men is Justice. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men”.
To have social justice implies equality before the law, equal opportunity, and a more equitable management and distribution of wealth. In our world today, however, the moral codes and values, based on sectarianism and prejudices that place one group above the other, cannot lead us towards social justice for all.
The Baháí Writings state:“…we must lay aside all prejudice -- whether it be religious, racial, political or patriotic; we must become the cause of the unification of the human race.
Strive for universal peace, seek the means of love, and destroy the basis of disagreement so that this material world may become divine, the world of matter become the realm of the Kingdom and humanity attain to the world of perfection”.
Justice towards every member of the human family, and the building of a peaceful world will not be achievable without embracing human diversity.
Attainment of global peace is linked to global justice. It is the requirement of justice that everyone is treated as equals, regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender, or ethnic origin.
Bahá’u’lláh states that in the sight of God, justice is "the best beloved of all things" since i permits each one of us to see with our own eyes rather than the eyes of others, to know through our own knowledge rather than the knowledge of our neighbour or a particular group that we belong to.
In order to be just and decide with fairness, we therefore should be able to investigate the truth in all matters for ourselves, and not imitate others. Investigating truth individually, to see with our own eyes rather than the eyes of others, to know through our own knowledge rather than the knowledge of our neighbour, are important steps towards unity.
Overcoming our current interrelated global challenges cannot be achieved without a higher level of co-operation at all levels of society. “The required higher level of co-operation” in the Baháí view, “can only be motivated by a sincere appreciation for the unity of all human beings”.
And justice is crucial to the establishment of unity at all levels – family, society and at international level. Because justice provides the standard by which individual conduct and collective efforts are judged.
Furthermore, there is need for a “just legislation in accord with the Divine laws which guarantee the happiness of society and protect the rights of all mankind, … laws insuring the integrity of the members of society and their equality before the law”, state the Baháí Writings.
Educational programs that foster human solidarity, love for the whole human family, and service to the common good, in addition to transforming our social and legal systems, would be among the practical steps towards achieving social justice and global peace.