1. The right to life enunciated in article 6 of the Covenant has
been dealt with in all State reports. It is the supreme right
from which no derogation is permitted even in time of public
emergency which threatens the life of the nation (art. 4).
However, the Committee has noted that quite often the
information given concerning article 6 was limited to only one
or other aspect of this right. It is a right which should not be
interpreted narrowly. 2. The Committee observes that war and
other acts of mass violence continue to be a scourge of humanity
and take the lives of thousands of innocent human beings every
year. Under the Charter of the United Nations the threat or use
of force by any State against another State, except in exercise
of the inherent right of self-defence, is already prohibited.
The Committee considers that States have the supreme duty to
prevent wars, acts of genocide and other acts of mass violence
causing arbitrary loss of life. Every effort they make to avert
the danger of war, especiall