Bahá'í Proposals for Revisions to the Charter of the United Nations

 

                                                                                                                    May 23, 1955

 

Mr. Dag Hammarskjöld

Secretary-General

United Nations

New York, N.Y.

 

 

Dear Mr. Secretary-General:

 

            The Bahá’í International Community, in its capacity of an international nongovernmental organization, submits recommendations for revision of the Charter of United Nations and the Statute of the International Court of Justice.

            These recommendations constitute the considered views of the twelve National Bahá’í Assemblies representing the Bahá’ís of Irán, India, Pákistán and Burma, Australia and New Zealand, ‘Iráq, Egypt and Súdán, Germany and Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the British Isles, Canada, Central America, South America and the United States.  Their participation unites a wide diversity of national, racial and religious backgrounds in one common concept of the structure needed to establish justice and peace.

            In submitting its recommendations the Bahá’í International Community is concerned with the desperate condition into which the nations and people of the world have fallen.  The seeds of destruction are sown within as well as without the present membership of United Nations.  No minor and legalistic adjustment of the Charter, the Bahá’ís are convinced, can restore the supremacy of moral law in the conduct of human affairs nor seize control of events from the chaos which engulfs mankind.  The Bahá’ís appeal to every enlightened and responsible statesman associated with United Nations to grasp, before it is too late, this providential opportunity to create a political organism commensurate with the new and unprecedented character of the world in our time.

            The Bahá’í recommendations are based upon three apparent truths: that real sovereignty is no longer vested in the institutions of the national state because the nations have become interdependent; that the existing crisis is moral and spiritual as well as political; and that the existing crisis can only be surmounted by the achievement of a world order representative of the peoples as well as the nations of mankind.

            The Bahá’í concept of world order is defined in  these terms: A world Super-State in whose favor all the nations of the world will have ceded every claim to make war, certain rights to impose taxation and all rights to maintain armaments, except for purposes of maintaining internal order within their respective dominions.  This State will have to include an International Executive adequate to enforce supreme and unchallengeable authority on every recalcitrant member of the Commonwealth; a World Parliament whose members are elected by the peoples in their respective countries and whose election is confirmed by their respective governments; a Supreme Tribunal whose judgment has a binding effect even in cases where the parties concerned have not voluntarily agreed to submit their case to its consideration.

            Since action by peoples as well as governments is essential, the Bahá’í recommendations include the proposal that consideration of revision by United Nations be accompanied by wide dissemination of the principle of international relations and the calling of people’s conventions to register the general will.

            Impossible as the achievement of world order may appear to traditionalist or partisan, mankind is passing through a crucial stage likened to that of an individual entering maturity and using new powers and faculties beyond the grasp of irresponsible youth.  Unassailable is the position that any lesser international body represents a compromise with the forces of disaster and destruction.

            In support of its thesis the Bahá’í International Community presents with this letter an annex citing references to the subject in Bahá’í writings, and an annex proposing specific revisions.

 

Sincerely,

                                                                BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

 

             Represented by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois

 

 

BAHÁ’Í PROPOSALS TO THE UNITED NATIONS

FOR CHARTER REVISION

 

 

The experiences of the last decade have demonstrated the need for certain fundamental changes in the charter of the United Nations if that organization is “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war…, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of the nations large and small; to promote social progress and better standards of living in larger freedom.” 

In order to insure the realization of the principles proclaimed in the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations, that organization must be given real authority and military power to maintain Peace and uphold international Justice; it must operate in accordance with the principle of equality of nations large and small; it must become the guarantor of human rights, faith in which was so eloquently proclaimed in the Preamble.

The authors of the Charter foresaw a time when its terms would need revision and provided, in articles 108 and 109, for changes and revisions.  In this connection, the Bahá’í International Community submits, in addition to its statement of principle, a number of specific and general suggestions listed below.

 

I.  Membership in the United Nations being an indispensable condition for the preservation of international peace, no nation should be allowed to leave the organization.  It is therefore proposed that Article 6 of the Charter be amended to read:

 

A member of the United Nations which has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be subjected by the General Assembly, upon recommendation of the Security Council, to economic and other sanctions, and, in extreme cases, may be compelled by force to abide by the principles of the Charter.

 

II.  In order to give the General Assembly more freedom of discussion, it is suggested that Article 12 of the Charter and all references to it which occur in any other Article (such as Articles 10, 11, 35, etc.) be eliminated.

 

III.  It is suggested that membership in the General Assembly be apportioned according to some form of proportionate representation and Paragraph I, of Article 18 of the Charter, be amended accordingly.

 

IV.  The Principle of the equality of nations large and small, proclaimed in the Preamble, must not be is regarded or contradicted in any article of the Charter.  Therefore, it is suggested that Article 23 be changed to read:

1.  The Security Council shall consist of eleven Members of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years, no retiring member being eligible for immediate reelection.

            2. Each member of the Security Council shall have one representative.

All reference to permanent members of the Security Council found in any of the articles of the Charter to be eliminated.

 

V.  In conformity with Article 23 (as revised), Paragraph 2 of Article 27 shall read:

Decisions of the Security Council shall be made by an affirmative vote of seven members; provided that in decisions made under Chapter VI, and under Paragraph 3 of Article 52, a party to the dispute shall abstain from voting.

 

VI.  The maintenance of peace being a task incumbent upon all members of the United Nations, it is proposed that the first sentence of Paragraph 2, Article 47, be amended to read:

The military Staff Committee shall consist of the Chiefs of Staff of the members of the Security Council or their representatives.

 

VII.  In the interests of justice, it is proposed that Article 50 be amended to read:

If preventive or enforcement measures against any state are taken by the Security Council, any other state, whether a member of the United Nations or not, which finds itself confronted with special economic problems arising from the carrying out of those measures, shall have the right to ask the Security Council for a solution of its problems.

 

VIII.  Having been written and adopted during the course of the Second World War, the feelings and conditions which prevailed then and which do not exist any longer.  It is inappropriate to perpetuate the use of the term enemy in relation to certain states which must inevitably cooperate in the establishment and the maintenance of world peace.  It is suggested that Paragraph 2 of Article 53, as well as references to “enemy states” in any other articles of the Charter, be eliminated.

 

IX.  In the interests of Justice, which is the only principle upon which the edifice of durable peace can be raised, it is proposed that the International Court of Justice be given compulsory jurisdiction in all legal disputes between states and Article 35 of the “Statute of the International Court of Justice” be amended to read:

1.  The jurisdiction of the Court comprises all cases and all matters especially provided    for in the Charter of the United Nations or in treaties and conventions in force.

2.  The states parties to the present Statute declare that they recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, the jurisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes concerning:

            a.  the interpretation of a treaty;

            b.  any question of international law;

c.  the existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an            

     international obligation;

            d.  the nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an        

                 international obligation;

3.  In the event of a dispute as to whether the Court has jurisdiction, the matter     

                shall be settled by the decision of the Court.

X.  It is recommended that the United Nations adopt a Bill of Rights, which guarantees to every individual freedom of speech, of the press, of religion, and of thought, as well as freedom from racial and religious discrimination, freedom from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, equality of sexes, equality before law, equality of opportunity, and other basic human rights.  The individual human being is a spiritual as well as a physical creation and the purpose of society is to provide for the evolution of spiritual qualities in a framework of unity sustained by law.

 

 

REFERENCES TO WORLD ORDER IN THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS

 

Religion is the greatest instrument for the order of the world and the tranquility of all existent beings.  The weakness of the pillars of religion has encouraged the ignorant and rendered them audacious and arrogant.  Truly, I say, whatever lowers the lofty station of religion will increase the lofty station of religion will increase heedlessness in the wicked, and finally result in anarchy.

            Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfill that which is acceptable in our sight.  Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead.  Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen.

            The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquility of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized.  The rulers and kinds of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men.  Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquility of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves.  Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him.  If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories.  This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation.

            Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend.  Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice. 

            O ye elected representatives of the people in every land!  Take ye counsel together, and let your concerns be only for that which profiteth mankind, and bettereth the condition thereof, if ye be of them that scan heedfully.  Regard the world as the human body which, though at its creation whole and perfect, hath been afflicted, through various causes, with grave disorders and maladies.  Not for one day did it gain ease, nay its sickness waxed more severe, as it fell under the treatment of ignorant physicians, who gave full rein to their personal desires, and have erred grievously.  And if, at one time, through the care of an able physician, a member of that body was healed, the rest remained afflicted as before.  Thus informeth you the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

            The Great Being saith: Blessed and  happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.  In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

            That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. This can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician. This, verily, is the truth, and all else naught but error.                                                                                                                                   All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth. Say: O friends! Drink your fill from this crystal stream that floweth through the heavenly grace of Him Who is the Lord of Names. Let others partake of its waters in My name, that the leaders of men in every land may fully recognize the purpose for which the Eternal Truth hath been revealed, and the reason for which they themselves have been created.

                                                                                                BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

In cycles gone by, though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved. Continents remained widely divided, nay even among the peoples of one and the same continent association and interchange of thought were wellnigh impossible. Consequently intercourse, understanding and unity amongst all the peoples and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. In this day, however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged into one. And for everyone it is now easy to travel to any land, to associate and exchange views with its peoples, and to become familiar, through publications, with the conditions, the religious beliefs and the thoughts of all men. In like manner all the members of the human family, whether peoples or governments, cities or villages, have become increasingly interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency any longer possible, inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations, and the bonds of trade and industry, of agriculture and education, are being strengthened every day. Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved. Verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age, this glorious century. Of this past ages have been deprived, for this century—the century of light—hath been endowed with unique and unprecedented glory, power and illumination. Hence the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day. Eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in the assemblage of man.

                                                                                                ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ

Unification of the whole of mankind is the hall-mark of the stage which human society is now approaching. Unity of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving. Nation-building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life.

            The unity of the human race, as envisaged by Bahá’u’lláh, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as far as we can visualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples. A world executive, backed by an international Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at, and apply the laws enacted by, this world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth. A world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system. A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity. A world metropolis will act as the nerve center of a world civilization, the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate. A world language will either be invented or chosen from among the existing languages and will be taught in the schools of all the federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue. A world script, a world literature, a uniform and universal system of currency, of weights and measures, will simplify and facilitate intercourse and understanding among the nations and races of mankind. In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will coöperate, and will harmoniously develop. The press will, under such a system, while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind, cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests, whether private or public, and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peoples. The economic resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be coördinated and developed, and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated.

            National rivalries, hatreds, and intrigues will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and coöperation. The causes of religious strife will be permanently removed, economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished, and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated. Destitution on the one hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on the other, will disappear. The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether economic or political, will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development, to the increase of the productivity of mankind, to the extermination of disease, to the extension of scientific research, to the raising of the standard of physical health, to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain, to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, to the prolongation of human life, and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race.

A world federal system, ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God and by its allegiance to one common Revelation—such is the goal towards which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life, is moving.

 

                                                                        SHOGHI EFFENDI