Proposed Framework for Relations with Governments, Diplomatic Missions and Official Representatives
Institutional Document
Preamble
This Protocol establishes the framework under which Stop Wars Save Lives seeks to develop and maintain trusted relations with governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations and officially designated representatives who agree to engage in dialogue with the organisation.
This Protocol does not constitute an international mandate for mediation and does not confer political or legal authority upon Stop Wars Save Lives over any party.
It establishes a framework of conduct, confidentiality, independence and respect, intended to facilitate dialogue where communication may contribute to preventing escalation or supporting the search for peace.
Article 1 – Purpose
The purpose of this Protocol is to establish the conditions under which Stop Wars Save Lives may:
- establish confidential contact;
- hear the position of a party;
- facilitate communication with another party;
- transmit a message with authorisation;
- explore a de-escalation proposal;
- facilitate a meeting;
- contribute to a ceasefire initiative;
- or, when conditions permit, help prepare a transition towards formal negotiations.
Article 2 – Independence
Stop Wars Save Lives undertakes to preserve its independence from any government, political party, military organisation or other conflict actor.
Meeting, listening to or facilitating dialogue with a government does not constitute recognition of its political position or endorsement of its policies.
Article 3 – Process Impartiality
-Stop Wars Save Lives undertakes to listen to the different parties fairly.
-The organisation does not undertake to consider that the substantive positions of the parties are necessarily equivalent.
-It does undertake to allow each party to present its position and not to intentionally distort the positions communicated to it.
Article 4 – Confidentiality
Any exchange expressly identified as confidential shall be treated as confidential.
No public statement shall be made concerning a confidential exchange without the prior consent of the relevant party, subject to applicable legal obligations.
Where necessary, the parties may agree before a meeting on:
- the confidential nature of the discussion;
- the persons authorised to participate;
- the information that may be communicated;
- the information that may not be communicated;
- and any conditions governing subsequent publication.
Article 5 – Transmission of Messages
-Stop Wars Save Lives may, with the explicit consent of the sender, transmit a message to another party.
-The transmission shall faithfully reflect the authorised content.
Stop Wars Save Lives shall not intentionally alter the meaning of a message.
-The organisation may, however, request clarification where the content is ambiguous or reasonably likely to produce conflicting interpretations.
Article 6 – No Authority to Bind a Party
Stop Wars Save Lives may not legally or politically bind a government, diplomatic mission or organisation without an explicit mandate from a duly authorised representative.
An exploratory conversation does not constitute a diplomatic commitment.
A proposal transmitted by Stop Wars Save Lives does not constitute acceptance.
Only duly authorised representatives may commit their respective governments or institutions.
Article 7 – Consent
No party shall be presented as participating in mediation, negotiations or a joint initiative without its consent.
The name or logo of a government or institution shall not be used publicly in a manner suggesting its endorsement of Stop Wars Save Lives without prior authorisation.
Article 8 – Protection of Communications
Stop Wars Save Lives undertakes to take reasonable measures to protect:
- the identity of interlocutors where confidentiality has been agreed;
- confidential documents;
- meeting notes;
- sensitive communications;
- and information concerning proposals under consideration.
Article 9 – Neutrality of the Platform
Stop Wars Save Lives may host deeply divergent positions.
Access to dialogue with the organisation is not conditional upon agreement with its views.
The platform should allow parties to maintain their positions while exploring possibilities for de-escalation.
Article 10 – Continuity of Dialogue
Where the parties agree, Stop Wars Save Lives may maintain a communication channel even during periods in which official negotiations are suspended.
The purpose is to preserve the possibility of renewed dialogue when political circumstances permit.
Article 11 – Transition to Formal Negotiations
When the parties wish to move from exploratory dialogue towards formal negotiations, Stop Wars Save Lives may assist in facilitating that transition.
The organisation shall then fully recognise the role of governments, international organisations and officially mandated mediators.
Article 12 – Confidence-Building Measures
Where the parties identify common interests, Stop Wars Save Lives may propose or facilitate consideration of measures including:
- temporary ceasefires;
- direct communication mechanisms;
- humanitarian arrangements;
- exchanges;
- security guarantees;
- verification mechanisms;
- maritime security arrangements;
- or other measures agreed by the parties.
Article 13 – No Automatic Publicity
A meeting with Stop Wars Save Lives shall not automatically be made public.
The organisation recognises that certain stages of a peace process require discretion and confidentiality.
Any public communication concerning official participation shall, where reasonably possible, be coordinated with the parties concerned.
Article 14 – Compliance with Applicable Law
The activities of Stop Wars Save Lives shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law, relevant international obligations and applicable legal restrictions affecting the persons and organisations concerned.
Nothing in this Protocol shall be interpreted as authorising conduct contrary to applicable law.
Article 15 – Humanitarian Purpose
This Protocol is based upon one fundamental purpose:
-To reduce the risk of war and contribute to saving lives.
-The organisation seeks to act in the interests of civilians and all people affected by armed conflict.
Article 16 – Fundamental Principle
Stop Wars Save Lives proposes a simple principle to governments and official representatives:
-You do not have to agree with us in order to speak with us.
-Our responsibility is to preserve a space in which dialogue can continue when relations become difficult.
Article 17 – Establishing a Channel
When a government, diplomatic mission or official representative agrees to establish a channel with Stop Wars Save Lives, the parties may agree in writing upon:
- their designated interlocutors;
- the level of confidentiality;
- communication procedures;
- rules governing message transmission;
- conditions for public disclosure;
- and any specific mechanisms required by the circumstances.
Article 18 – Conclusion
Stop Wars Save Lives does not claim the power to make peace on behalf of governments.
Our proposed role is simpler:
to keep the possibility of peace open.
For peoples,
For women and men,
For families,
For future generations.