We define Irish neutrality as non-participation in wars and military alliances, as set out in the 1907 Hague Convention V, and as the positive engagement in the peaceful, non-military resolution of political conflicts. As a country that faced hundreds of years of oppression and colonial subjugation by empire, we further understand neutrality as a tradition of solidarity with all the nations and peoples of the world who are victims of imperialism, colonialism, war and oppression.
To further erode Ireland’s neutrality beyond what has already occurred since 2003 – with the use of Shannon airport by the US Military – would fundamentally damage that reputation, make us less significant and less effective on the world stage and likely embroil us in more illegal and unjustified wars by larger world powers. We oppose the invasion of sovereign states by larger powers and recognise the right of states to self-determination. We also oppose the escalation of conflicts and the dangerous militarisation of the world, particularly when such critical issues of world hunger, nuclear proliferation and climate change threaten the survival of humanity.
The Irish Neutrality League is a civil society campaign to bring pressure on the Irish Government to assert Ireland’s neutrality positively on the world stage, to be a voice for peace and human rights and oppose wars and militarisation. We call on the Government to commit to and reflect the “ideal of peace”, the “generally recognised principles of international law” and the “pacific settlement of international disputes” as referred to in Article 29, Bunreacht na hÉireann.
We also call on the Government to further copper-fasten Irish neutrality by holding a referendum to enshrine it into the Constitution.
The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) was established to advocate an independent Irish foreign policy, maintain Irish neutrality and promote a transformed United Nations as the organization through which Ireland should pursue its security concerns.