World Wide Support for Article 51 of the Constitution of India

WORLD WIDE SUPPORT FORINTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES OF CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE WORLDOn Article 51 of the Constitution of India - organised by City Montessori School, Lucknow, IndiaFOR A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE OF 2 BILLION CHILDREN OF THE WORLD & THE GENERATIONS YET-TO-BE-BORNExtract from speech of H.E. Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, delivered on 6th Dec. 2007while welcoming the delegates of 8th International Conference of Chief Justices of the Worldat Rashtrapati Bhawan, New DelhiH.E. Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President ofIndia welcoming thedelegates of 8th InternationalConference of Chief Justices of theWorld(Organisedby City Montessori School, Lucknow) at RashtrapatiBhawan,New Delhi on 6th December 2007Extracts from the Speech of H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India delivered on 11th December 2008 atRashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, welcoming Chief Justices and Judges who came to participate in the 9th InternationalConference of Chief Justices of the World on Article 51 of the Constitution of India, organized by CMS at Lucknow.India has always believed that a peaceful worldcan be possible if it is based on the principles ofequality, justice and fair-play. It has soughtmore democratic and representativemultilateral institutions whether it is the UNSecurity Council or the World Bank and the IMFfor dealing effectively with global challenges ofpeace, development and, in fact, forcoordinated action for dealing with the currentfinancial crises. Global issues require globalconsensus and concerted action by allcountries of the world. One of the majorchallenges that confront the world isinternational terrorism and the danger it posesto human lives, with innocent people fallingprey to terrorist attacks in many parts of theworld. It is incumbent on the internationalcommunity to ensure that there is an effectivelegal framework for the prevention andelimination of terrorism. India has facedterrorism for over two decades. The recentterrorist attacks in India have escalated it tonew levels and have profiled the cross-borderlinkages of the support that the terroristsreceive. Terrorism has ramifications for worldstability and growth and hence, an issue Ibelieve which the Chief Justices of the Worldshould look at as a priority area so that theperpetrators, as also those who extend supportto them, are brought to justice.The International Court of Justice in the Hague,which was established in 1945 as the principaljudicial organ of the United Nations, enjoysuniversal support and respect. India is proud tohave contributed to the working of ICJ andthree of our Judges have been its members.However, the recent period has witnessed thecreation of a number of specialized regional andinternational courts and bodies. Along with ithave arisen some concerns about thefragmentation of international law. Similar legalissues or disputes could be subjected tointerpretations by two different bodies, withpotentially differing views. The challenge is tofind a balance between, on the one hand, theneed for diversity and specialized regimes and,on the other hand, the importance ofmaintaining an overall framework ofinternational law that offers a sufficient degreeof coherence.One day, I am sure that all mankind will come together.... I am sure that one day, if we all dedicateourselves to this cause, one day we shall be able to build not only a strong India but also a happy, unitedworld where common humanity will be able to lead a happy contented life and enjoy his full humanrights. I feel very glad that Mr Jagdish Gandhi has taken up the challenge and has striven all theseyears to bring world peace, world order and world harmony through an international order which todayseems to be an distant dream, but Mr Gandhi is a visionary, he is a dreamer and I am sure that with thesupport of all the right thinking men of the world, his dream will come true.— Hon’ble Mr Justice P. N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India & Chairman,United Nations Human Rights Committee (Geneva) Message dated 28th September 2005The fundamental ethic expressed in Article 51describes a world order based on the principles ofinternational peace and security. From theearliest times, the concept of a world ordergoverned by law and assuring the welfare andhappiness of its citizens has, in one form or theother, engaged world leaders and statesmen,jurists and philosophers.India plays a vital role in promoting andstrengthening a global order, guided and governed byinternational law.The promotion of international peace and security as aconsititutional directive to the states is a declaration made bythe people of India not only to Indian society but indeed to thepeoples of the world—Hon'ble Mr Justice R. S. PathakFormer Chief Justice of India, former Judge, Judges ofInternational Court of Justice, Member, Permanent Court ofArbitration (The Hague) & Hony. Member of the Bench Gray'sInn. LondonAn environment has to be developed formulti-culturalism to survive and it becomesnecessary for each individual country and itsgovernment to adhere to its obligations underinternational law.—Hon'ble Mr Justice A. M. AhmadiFormer Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India,Speech dated 13th December 2003The milk of human kindness flows in the heart of India,therefore, wherever there is any question of humanity, peace,brotherhood, India is always on the forefront. I hope everycountry tries to bring in these principles in the educationsystem of their country, because a child is the father of theman. If a child is taught right in the beginning when he isvery small and young, what is the importance of peace, whatare the ill effects of violence and what role a child can play infuture to bring about peace, I think the whole thought willchange and every country, the new generation, will think in avery constructive manner and they will come together togive our children a safe environment and safe futurealongwith what efforts you are making.Time has come when we have becomeglobal without doing anythingourselves. and time has come when wecannot resist globalisation. I am surethat every sane person, a decent person,would really join a move for a worldparliament.—Hon'ble Mr Justice Ranganath MisraFormer Chief Justice, Supreme Court ofIndia & Former Chairman, National Human RightsCommission of India &Former Member, Permanent Court of Arbitration(The Hague) NetherlandsWe believe in Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam(the whole universe is a family). OurConstitution gives the same message.The preamble to the Constitutiondeclares that India has been constitutedinto a republic for the purpose ofachieving the goals of justice, liberty,equality and fraternity to all. Article 51reads (the relevant clause which is thetheme of this World Judiciary Meet).—Hon'ble Mr Justice R. C. LahotiFormer Chief Justice, Supreme Court of IndiaShri Jagdish GandhiFounder-Manager CMS &Convener of the ConferenceWorld Unity and PeaceEducation Deptt.City Montessori School12, Station RoadLucknow - 226001MESSAGEI am happy to note that City MontessoriSchool (CMS), Lucknow, after successfullyorganizing seven International Conferences, isnow organizing the 8th InternationalConference of Chief Justices of the World onArticle 51 of the Indian Constitution.Article 51 of the Constitution of India isdesigned to promote international peace andsecurity. India has always strived for promotinginternational peace and understanding and iscommitted to foster respect for InternationalLaws. Conferences like these play a significantrole in helping us understand each other betterand motivate us in discharging our obligationto the people at large.I appreciate the School’s nobleendeavour in bringing together eminent juristsfor promoting international peace and insecuring the future of our children. I wish theconference all success.New Delhi October 26, 2007(Manmohan Singh)SONIA GANDHILEADER OF OPPOSITION(LOK SABHA)Message ofHon’ble Mrs Sonia GandhiLeader of Opposition (Lok Sabha), IndiaMESSAGEI am happy that the City Montessori SchoolLucknow is organizing the 3rd InternationalConference of Chief Justices of the world on Article51 of the Constitution of India in December this yearEmerging challenges in the realm of preservation ofhuman rights, secularism and our democraticinstitutions have highlighted the need to bring aboutadaptive changes in the legal field. There is greaterneed today to reinforce our struggle against poverty,inequality and obscurantism against terrorism,trafficking in drugs and humans, and againstviolence and discrimination the new millennium hasbrought with it new questions relating toenvironment, technology and economic freedom. It issignificant that this Conference has a special focuson children for all systems of justice have an impacton the well- being of the future generation. I send mygood wishes for the success of the Conference.New Delhi , November 13, 200210, JANPATH, NEW DELHI - 110 011TEL.: 3012686, 3014481 FAX : 3018651MESSAGE OF SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEEI am pleased to knowthat the City MontessoriSchool, Lucknow is organizingthe 3rd InternationalConference of Chief Justices of the Worldon Article 51c of the Constitution of India. Iwholeheartedly applaud this initiative.If any section of society has greater claim on asafe and conflict-free future of mankind, it is ourchildren. Hence, Article 51c of our Constitution,which enjoins upon the State to endeavour topromote peace and security, maintain just andhonourable relationship between nations, andfoster respect for international law, is especiallyrelevant for safeguarding the interests of ourchildren.I send my best wishes to your conference,which seeks to create greater awareness aboutthese important issues.New DelhiNovember 26, 2002iz/kku ea=hPrime Minister44, PARLIAMENT HOUSENEW DELHI - 110 001PHONE : 301607, 3034285FAX : 3017470Purpose of today's education must be the redemption of mankind from (i) its Godlessness,(ii) its Ignorance, (iii) its Confusion & (iv) its Conflict. – CMS, Laureate of 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Educationiz/kkuea=hPrime Minister13