Attacks of 13 November 2015: Building Peace!

In solidarity with victims of terrorist acts around the world

In times of crisis, it is tempting to wage war against a targeted enemy, rather than build peace and tackle the root causes. And when that crisis takes the form of lethal attacks, it is easier to stir up fear and appeal to people's instinct for security than to work on raising awareness.

Since 1995 we have been holding one UN Conference on Climate Change after another and have graduated from the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000 to the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015, yet inequality continues to grow at a dangerous rate, the effects of environmental degradation are being felt worldwide and the poorest are the always the first affected. Tensions and conflicts and multiplying.

We will not accept that, in the face of the unspeakable horror of the 13 November attacks, our political leaders are once again involving us, under the banner of security, in a so-called "war" that we have been rejecting since 2003, when people around the world took to the streets in their millions to say NO to the illegal and intractable conflict in Iraq. Those leaders need to listen to us - we who work tirelessly for peace, justice and access to fundamental rights for all. Their deaf ears have cost too many innocent lives and their stubbornness is threatening tens of thousands more.

In Syria and elsewhere, the seizure of power by dictators always produces the same results - impoverishment, violations of people's fundamental rights and the emergence of radical, violent movements. In Syria - and also in France - the impunity of some, the corruption of others, unhealthy alliances and the cynicism of many give rise to deep resentment and create a breeding ground for the most extreme ideologies. In Syria and elsewhere, violence (both war-related and social), poverty, hunger and despair are pushing hundreds of thousands of people leave their homes in search of dignified, better life in other countries.

Our politicians have a responsibility to recognize the failure and thoughtlessness of futile strategies and finally address the root causes of these problems, rather than creating more of them. The time has come to:
- Promote a fair and equitable redistribution of wealth
- Rethink our way of life to allow life on Earth to continue
- Act on a global scale, rather than turning in on ourselves and our own countries and privileges
- Educate to promote peace and living together

With 350 groups around the world, The Emmaus movement is devoting all of its energy to those goals and will work fervently to achieve them!

"Fundamentalism is a haven for the destitute because it offers a burst of hope to those who have nothing. May their pain disappear and fundamentalism lose his army."
Abbé Pierre, January 1995

Willi Does, Chair of Emmaus Europe
Thierry Kuhn, Chair of Emmaus France
Jean Rousseau, Chair of Emmaus International