The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on October 2, the same day as the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian movement for independence and founder of the non-violence philosophy and strategy.

This day was established in 2007, according to UN resolution A/RES/61/271, as a possibility to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”, always “having in consideration that non-violence, tolerance, full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, democracy, development, mutual understanding and respect for diversity are mutually related and mutually strengthen, reaffirm “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

CIVIL, since its establishment in 1999, has been following the principles of non-violence and efforts for human rights and freedoms. As an organization that advocates for a world in which all people live in a peaceful and democratic society, fights for overcoming the cult of weapons and promotes the principle of full freedom of expression, on the International Day of Non-Violence sends a message to the citizens to jointly disseminate the message for the ever increasing need of active participation in creating a society that fosters tolerance, mutual understanding and respect, building communities based on the principles of peace and non-violence in solving conflict situations.

The philosophy and practice of non-violence in politics and in the overall life in society, certainly, implies peaceful resolution of conflicts between people, communities and states. That means prevention from any kind of violence, from physical to verbal.

I use this opportunity, on International Day of Non-Violence, to outline the conclusion that we live in a time when black propaganda and hate speech, indirectly, and often also directly, threaten the safety, physical integrity, health, property and dignity of people.

Often, non-physical violence inflicts equal damage as does physical violence, and even armed violence. On this day, we need to remind ourselves that in no way should the online violence be neglected, which is present both on the social networks and in some media. Violence in any form has to be rejected and condemned, sanctioned and excluded from people’s lives”, stated Xhabir Deralla, President of CIVIL, on the occasion of International Day of Non-Violence.

Republic of North Macedonia, as a UN member state, is obliged to fully respect this resolution, investing the most in education, strengthening of public awareness for fostering values based on the principle of non-violence.

“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”, is Gandhi’s well-known maxim.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world”, says Gandhi, and starting from ourselves as individuals, but also as a collective – to build a culture of peace, tolerance and non-violence.

CIVIL