Jaipur: Representatives from 56 Commonwealth countries on Sunday adopted the Jaipur Declaration on Peace Mediation and the Rule of Law, calling for greater use of dialogue, mediation and restorative justice to resolve disputes and prevent conflicts.The declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the three-day Commonwealth Conference on Peace Mediation and the Rule of Law held in Jaipur under the patronage of Rajasthan High Court.The declaration presents mediation not merely as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism but as a structured, principle-based and people-centric process that strengthens the rule of law while addressing the root causes of conflicts. It states that justice systems should be judged not only by the disputes they resolve but also by their ability to prevent conflicts through timely intervention, dialogue and mutual understanding.Describing peace, security and harmonious coexistence as humanity’s highest aspirations, the declaration says judicial institutions must promote empathy, restraint and continuous dialogue alongside legal processes.“It was also emphasised that lasting peace cannot be achieved solely through litigation or the use of force, but requires reconciliation, trust-building and structured conversations,” said Hari Om Atri, the member secretary of Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, while sharing the declaration.The declaration draws inspiration from UN Charter, the Commonwealth Charter, the Singapore Mediation Convention and India’s Mediation Act, 2023.It also lays down six guiding principles, including promoting peaceful coexistence, addressing the underlying causes of conflicts rather than merely legal disputes, recognising mediators as custodians of dialogue, ensuring universal access to mediation irrespective of economic or social status, encouraging environmentally and socially responsible mediation practices, and periodically reviewing implementation under the “Spirit of Jaipur” framework.The declaration urges bar associations, judiciaries, law schools and mediation institutions across the Commonwealth to lead a global peace mediation movement.
