"Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice," said Martin Luther King Jr.
Everybody yearns to reside in a tranquil world where one can feel safe. A world relieved of constraints, barbarism and corruption. But none of this can be attained without the dynamic commodities like peace and justice. Peace is not just the absence of viciousness, but the presence of justice as well. And I believe that without justice, peace would remain to be an impeccable illusion.
For the sustainable development of a country, one of the most essential roles is played by venturous and effective institutions. Institutions are structures of society that fulfills its necessities. And I strongly believe that not only are they essential to the society's needs, but they also help to build the society itself. Powerful institutions and just laws are indispensable for protecting people’s rights which must be staunchly established to ensure everyone can live freely, devoid of violence, discrimination and exploitation. However, it is a well-known fact that institutions can also act as perpetrators of oppression and repression, and reinforce inequalities. Hence, I believe that these institutions must exhibit transparency and accountability for it is critical for the public institutions such as the governments, to deliver services to their citizens.
Peace and justice can only be accomplished when institutions serve in the interests of the people. Without inclusive institutions at all levels, there can be no progress in the conveyance of crucial services such as health, sanitation, education, or transportation, among others. Institutions encourage individual and collective action by citizens as impersonators in society for the furtherance of peace and justice in the world. It seeks to strengthen citizen responsibility and participation, both locally and globally, which I believe is accommodating as there is a necessity for a wide range of pragmatic and ongoing improvements in national and local governance capabilities that could yield important long-term results.
However, I perceive the situation to remain in a state of quagmire as the public seems to lack faith in the institutions. The practice of bribery has been normalized to such an extent that people turn a blind eye towards it. It is a potential hindrance to every country's economic growth as it makes the system unstable and promotes corruption, which, consequently, gives rise to various other severe issues such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor public amenities, poor infrastructure and so forth. Due to rampant corruption in the public sector, it has become rather difficult for the government to eradicate poverty. This is because the welfare scheme for the poor cannot be implemented effectively and the money assigned doesn’t reach the beneficiaries. Bribery evidently has a harmful impact on the growth of a country as it hinders the development of the economy and the country as a whole. In my opinion, solely talking about peace and justice, involving equality amongst all and expressing the desire for equal opportunities for people will never be enough as long as the system of bribery and corruption exists. Therefore, i believe that it is imperative for each and every country to have a precise monitoring of bribery cases and enforcement of laws prohibiting such illegal practices.
Moreover, to create a world devoid of berserk brutality, all countries must pulverize commotions such as war. In my opinion, wars are catastrophes and are bound to do more harm than good. No matter how great the 'victory' is, it would never be able to compare to the lives of the martyred soldiers, and the tears shed by the families who have been torn apart. Presenting the current scenario of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, on a global level, is causing conflicts and forcing companies to recalibrate and, in some cases, utterly reconsider their established supply chain and partner ecosystems. Many of my fellow Indian students who were studying medicine in Ukraine had no choice but to return to their motherland in the midst of war. All because Russia regarded the modern, Western-leaning Ukraine as a treacherous threat, and felt that it could not be prudent, or develop and exist unless Ukraine was invaded and ruled over by Russia.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict too is an ongoing military and political conflict about land and self-determination within the territory of the former Mandatory Palestine. The scale and severity of brutality that has defined the past six months of conflict has put an end to the widespread apathy towards the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Wars are nothing but a failure of Mankind.
Today, many societies still grapple with issues like systemic racism, corruption, and judicial inefficiencies, which undermine justice and, consequently, peace. For instance, the work of the International Criminal Court in conflict zones highlights both the challenges and importance of administering justice in maintaining global peace. These contemporary issues show that achieving justice is a continuous process requiring constant vigilance and improvement. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive legal reforms to ensure judicial independence and fair legal processes. Community-based approaches, such as restorative justice programs, can also play a crucial role in fostering a culture of justice and reconciliation. Additionally, international cooperation and the strengthening of global justice institutions are vital for promoting worldwide peace.
While attaining peace, justice and strong institutions is a conspicuous aim, I believe that as an SDG, it isn't really a goal that can be achieved by 2030 for most countries. Considering the unceasing practice of bribery and the institutions, most of which are corrupted, eight years tends to be an evanescent period of time. However, just as small drops of water form an enormous ocean, each individual must contribute to the best of their capability.
In a nutshell, the administration of justice is essential for attaining peace. Historical lessons and contemporary challenges alike demonstrate that justice is the bedrock upon which peaceful societies are built. As we look to the future, it is imperative to continue striving for justice to pave the way for lasting peace.