ECHO - Conflict and humanitarian situation in the Middle East - Week 40-02/10/2025-No. 459

Aug 25, 2026

ECHO newsletter of the CERN Staff Association addresses the conflict and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, emphasizing human suffering and the need to speak out. It recalls CERN’s values of scientific collaboration for peace and restates a firm commitment to human rights under the Universal Declaration and the European Convention. The letter calls for protecting human life, rejecting violence and hate speech, and promoting non-violence, peace, dialogue, compassion, and understanding, alongside sympathy and offered support to affected staff members.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

ECHO

Conflict and humanitarian situation in the Middle East

Election 2025 - Reminder: The Staff Association needs you!

Staff / Association du personnel Semaine / Week 40-02/10/2025-No. 459 ECHO Conflict and humanitarian situation in the Middle East Dear colleagues, In its resolution CERN/3626 dated 8 March 2022, the Council recalled: ‘… That the fundamental values of the Organisation have always been based on scientific collaboration across borders as an instrument of peace …’. For too many months now, we have been witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East. The Staff Association can no longer remain silent. We have therefore decided to send the letter below to the President of the Council and our Director-General, reflecting the reactions of many members of the CERN community. Mr. President of Council, Madam Director-General, This conflict brings suffering to all. While fully recognising the restraint and impartiality required of us as international civil servants, the Staff Association wishes to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to CERN’s primary objective, Science in the service of peace and humanity, as well as to the fundamental principles of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In doing so, the Staff Association emphasises that the sanctity of human life must be protected, that violence and terror cannot build the future of humanity, and that it is the duty of each one of us – as individuals, nations and international organisations – to avoid hate speech but promote nonviolence, peace, dialogue, compassion and understanding in order to defend the human rights of all. In support of these convictions, the Staff Association wishes to express its thoughts and deepest sympathy to all members of personnel whose lives, families and loved ones have been or are currently affected by this conflict. As part of its mandate, the Staff Association offers advice and support and invites these colleagues to come forward if they need help. The Staff Association is confident that the Organisation will do the same, as it has done in the past. CERN must continue to be a voice for a peaceful scientific cooperation, giving support to its community. Yours sincerely, Isabelle Mardirossian Staff Association President Conflit et situation humanitaire au Moyen-Orient Chers collègues, Dans sa résolution CERN/3626 en date du 8 mars 2022, le Conseil rappelait : « …Les valeurs fondamentales del’Organisation ont toujours été fondées sur la collaboration scientifique au-delà des frontières, comme instrument de paix… ». Depuis plusieurs mois, nous sommes témoins d’une situation humanitaire dramatique au Moyen-Orient. L’Association du Personnel ne peut plus rester silencieuse. Nous avons doncdécidé d’adresser la lettre ci-dessous au Président du Conseil et à notre Directrice générale, reflétant les préoccupations denombreux membres de la communauté CERN. Monsieur le Président du Conseil, Madame la Directrice générale, Ce conflit engendre des souffrances pour tous. Tout en reconnaissant pleinement la retenue et l’impartialité requises de notre part en tant que fonctionnaires internationaux , l’Association du Personnel souhaite réaffirmer son engagement constant envers l’objectif premier du CERN : la science au service de la paix et de l’humanité, ainsi qu’aux principes fondamentaux des droits humains tels qu’inscrits dans la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme et dans la Convention européenne de sauvegarde des droits del’homme et des libertés fondamentales. Dans ce contexte, l’Association du Personnel souligne que la protection de la vie humaine est primordiale, que la violence et la terreur ne peuvent construire l’avenir de l’humanité, et que chacun d’entre nous – individus, États et organisations internationales – a le devoir de promouvoir la non-violence, lapaix, le dialogue, la compassion et la compréhension, afin dedéfendre les droits humains de tous. Pour témoigner de ces c

FAQs

Why does the Staff Association address the President of the Council and the Director-General?

It reflects reactions within the CERN community and responds to the humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East by reaffirming commitments to peace and human rights.

What principles does the letter emphasize regarding human rights and human life?

It stresses that human life must be protected and that violence and terror cannot shape humanity’s future, urging non-violence, peace, dialogue, compassion, and understanding.

Does the Staff Association offer help to colleagues affected by the conflict?

Yes. The mandate includes advice and support, and colleagues are invited to come forward if they need help.

Aug 25, 2026

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