Querela Pacis

Querela Pacis, meaning "Complaint of Peace," was a formal plea made by the Dominican friar and jurist Francisco de Vitoria in the 16th century. It addressed the concern that Spain's conquest of the Philippines violated natural law and justice. He argued that war should only be fought for self-defense or justice, not for conquest or greed. Vitoria emphasized respecting the sovereignty and rights of indigenous peoples, advocating for peaceful resolutions and moral conduct in warfare. His ideas laid early foundations for international law principles regarding justice, human rights, and the ethical treatment of nations and peoples during conflict.