12 April 2006 - Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas has been named patron of a campaign calling for the Government to place respect for international law and the United Nations at the heart of UK foreign policy.

‘Action for UN Renewal’ promotes wider public knowledge and understanding of the United Nations Charter and the range of current UN activities. The group aims to work closely with academics, policy-makers, journalists and NGOs working in the peace, human rights, development or the environment fields to promote an effective United Nations, with the authority and resources required to realise the aims of its founders - international peace, respect for human rights, economic and social justice, and the rule of law.

Dr Lucas, who is MEP for South-East England and Principal Speaker for the Green Party, said the UN had achieved much since its inception in 1945 but the world has changed beyond recognition in the intervening 60 years.

“The UN is based on respect for the ideals of peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development, but its dependence on the backing of the US and the Cold War Security Council mean it just isn’t up to the job, as we have seen in Rwanda, Srebenica and, most recently, Iraq.

“If we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the last century we must learn the lessons of their history, and renew our support for a reformed UN as a counter-weight to militancy, dictatorship and hegemony.”

She added: “I am honoured to be asked to serve Action for UN Renewal as a patron, and I hope the Government listens to its pleas for the UK to adopt a truly ethical, and lawful, foreign policy.

“This Government’s record on supporting the UN and respecting international law has been appalling: just this week the defence secretary John Reid suggested the Geneva Conventions were out of date – but global co-operation based on the rule of law is absolutely essential if the UK is to be a force for peace and justice rather than conflict and division.”

ENDS

Action for UN Renewal