International Day of Neutrality

Woodrow Wilson: «Neutrality is a negative word. It does not express what America ought to feel. We are not trying to keep out of trouble; we are trying to preserve the foundations on which peace may be rebuilt.»

Neutrality is distinct (though not exclusive) from apathy, ignorance, indifference, doublethink, equality, agreement, and objectivity. Objectivity suggests siding with the more reasonable position (except journalistic objectivity), where reasonableness is judged by some common basis between the sides, such as logic (thereby avoiding the problem of incommensurability). Neutrality implies tolerance regardless of how disagreeable, deplorable, or unusual a perspective might be. Advocating neutrality is non-neutral.

In moderation and mediation, neutrality is often expected to make judgments or facilitate dialog independent of any bias, putting emphasis on the process rather than the outcome.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly 71/275:

Recalling its resolutions 50/80 A of 12 December 1995 and 69/285 of 3 June 2015, Noting the outcome document of the high-level international conference on the theme “Policy of neutrality: international cooperation for peace, security and development” (the Ashgabat outcome document), 1

Reaffirming its resolutions 53/199 of 15 December 1998 and 61/185 of 20 December 2006 on the proclamation of international years, and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on international years and anniversaries,

Reaffirming also the great importance of upholding the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity, self-determination, non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered,

Underlining that the national policies of neutrality of some States can contribute to the strengthening of international peace and security in relevant regions and at the global level and can play an important role in developing peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations between the countries of the world,

Recognizing that such national policies of neutrality are aimed at promoting the use of preventive diplomacy, including through the prevention of conflict, mediation, good offices, fact-finding missions, negotiation, the use of special envoys, informal consultations, peacebuilding and targeted development activities,

Noting that preventive diplomacy is a core function of the United Na tions and occupies the central place among the functions of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and in this regard recognizing the important role of the special political missions of the United Nations and the good offices of the Secretary - General in the fields of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding,

1. Decides to declare 12 December the International Day of Neutrality;

2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and individuals, to mark the International Day of Neutrality by means of education and the holding of events aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the public in this field;

3. Proposes that the Secretary-General should continue to cooperate closely with neutral States, with a view to implementing the principles of preventive diplomacy and using those principles in their mediation activities;

4. Stresses that the cost of all activities that may arise from the implementation of the present resolution should be met from voluntary contributions.

(69th plenary meeting, 2 February 2017)

Source: un.org | wikipedia.org