Human rights advocate and global peace campaigner Amb. Khalifa Losene Dunor has issued a strongly worded open letter calling on world leaders, governments, corporations, and international institutions to exercise restraint, uphold human rights, and renew their commitment to global peace amid escalating conflicts worldwide.
In the open letter, dated January 30, 2026, Dunor warned that the international human rights system established after the Second World War is facing unprecedented strain, citing growing violations of international law and the weakening of multilateral institutions.
He referenced remarks by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who in 2025 cautioned that “powerful forces are ranged against human rights and against the international system built to protect and uphold them,” describing the current moment as a global battle for human dignity, justice, and the multilateral order.
Dunor noted that similar concerns were raised during the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, where the Secretary-General warned that the organization’s founding principles are under assault due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions.
The letter highlights findings from international human rights bodies, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, which indicate a growing disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law in conflict zones.
According to the document, the war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year, resulting in widespread civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure, while conflicts in Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar have led to mass displacement, gender-based violence, and systemic human rights abuses.
Dunor also drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza, where UN agencies and international organizations have documented extensive civilian harm and alleged violations of international law.
Addressing internal repression, the letter cited reports from human rights organizations indicating that protests in Iran were met with deadly force, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
The human rights advocate warned that these crises are not isolated events but reflect a broader erosion of trust in diplomacy, treaties, and global governance systems.
He criticized what he described as the growing tendency for international agreements to be treated as symbolic rather than binding, and cautioned that geopolitical competition and economic interests are increasingly overriding collective responsibility for human dignity.
The letter also raised concerns about the role of corporations in conflict dynamics, citing supply-chain abuses, resource exploitation, and economic coercion in fragile states.
Dunor emphasized that the erosion of human rights sends a dangerous message to young people worldwide — that power can eclipse justice and that international law is selectively applied.
Calling for urgent action, he appealed to global leaders to recommit to international human rights and humanitarian law, prioritize diplomacy and conflict prevention, and strengthen multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, African Union, European Union, and Council of Europe.
He also urged governments to protect vulnerable populations, including women, children, refugees, migrants, and marginalized communities, and to actively engage youth and civil society in peacebuilding and accountability efforts.
“The generations now watching deserve more than rhetoric,” Dunor stated, stressing that today’s leadership decisions will shape whether future generations believe in justice, international law, and human dignity.
Amb. Dunor is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Dignity and Inclusion (CDI) and a longtime advocate for marginalized children and youth.
He concluded the letter by calling on civil society organizations, faith leaders, academics, and grassroots movements to monitor human rights conditions and hold leaders accountable to their international obligations.
