To: The United Nations, national governments, and international governing bodies

We, the undersigned, call for the establishment of binding global principles that place human life, democratic participation, and leadership accountability at the centre of all decisions related to armed conflict.

War has far-reaching consequences — reshaping nations, devastating communities, and impacting generations to come. Decisions of such magnitude must not rest solely in the hands of a limited few, but must reflect the informed will of the people who bear its costs.

We therefore urge the international community to adopt and implement the following principles:

1. Democratic Consent for War
No nation should enter into armed conflict without a transparent and lawful process that enables meaningful public participation, including, where feasible, a national vote or referendum.

2. Full Transparency and Justification

Governments must provide clear, evidence-based justifications for military action, subject to independent review and public scrutiny.

3. Leadership Accountability

Political and executive leaders who authorize war must be held to the highest standards of legal, ethical, and political accountability, including post-conflict review mechanisms.

4. Shared Responsibility of Leadership

Leaders must not be insulated from the consequences of their decisions. While symbolic in nature, frameworks should ensure leaders remain directly accountable to those placed in harm’s way.

5. Human-Centred Policy

All decisions must prioritise the protection of civilian life, human rights, and long-term societal stability over political or strategic gain.

6. Honest Measurement of Impact

The true cost of war must be assessed transparently, including human casualties, economic burden, environmental damage, and psychological harm.

7. Ethical Use of Technology

Technological advancement must be governed by international norms that prioritise peace, sustainability, and human development over destructive capability.

8. Strengthening International Oversight

Global institutions, including the International Criminal Court, should be empowered to review and, where necessary, investigate decisions that lead to unjust or unlawful conflict.

Conclusion

We sign this petition to demand a world in which decisions of war are subject to democratic will, guided by compassion, and bound by accountability.

We call upon governments, institutions, and citizens worldwide to support and advance these principles toward a more just and peaceful global order.