A biography for Alfred-Maurice de Zayashasn’t been written yet.
“Surely the Council did not intend to convene an assembly of Cassandras when it established the Special Procedures.”
“The path to a democratic and equitable order is through the expansion of public courts, not the creation of private courts with questionable transparency, accountability or independence.”
“A just, peaceful, equitable and democratic world order must not be undermined by the activities of investors, speculators and transnational enterprises avid for immediate profit at the expense of social and economic progress.”
“It is high time to mainstream human rights into all trade agreements and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and regulations, so that trade representatives and dispute-settlers know that trade is neither a “stand alone” regime not an end in itself.”
“Investors and transnational enterprises have invented new rules to suit their needs, rules that impinge on the regulatory space of States and disenfranchise the public.”
“Parliaments that do not genuinely represent, but act as if they had a blank check for x number of years lose their legitimacy.”
“Direct democracy is undoubtedly one of the most efficient, reliable and transparent methods to determine the will of the people.”
“Direct, participatory and responsive democracy has been shown to be conducive to achieving a more just world order. Only such an approach will allow progressing from predator societies to human rights oriented societies.”
“Democracy means a genuine correlation between the will of the people and legislation and policies that affect them, be it domestic or international.”
“Democracy must be lived and practiced every day. It entails much more than periodic voting, which in many cases is only pro forma, in the absence of public influence on the choice of candidates and scarce possibility of policy change.”
“States have the sacred duty to ensure peace, while individuals and peoples have the right to peace.”
“Neither the right of self-determination nor the principle of territorial integrity is absolute.”
“Decolonization was not only just and consistent with the Charter; it was necessary to end violence.”
“Self-determination is an expression of the individual and collective right to democracy.”
“A violation of the right of self-determination gives rise to a legitimate human rights claim by individuals and groups and triggers State responsibility to make reparation.”
“Self-determination is now recognized as a principle of legitimacy underlying modern international law.”
“The bearers of the right of self-determination possess justiciable rights, not mere promises.”
“The right of self-determination must be implemented through specific measures.”
“All peoples have the right of self-determination.”
“Norms cannot be applied à la carte.”