I congratulate The japanese on its Presidency at the start of your tenure on the Protection Council and thank you for opening the new year with this debate to the rule of law. I also welcome my two fellow briefers, Judge Joan Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice and Professor Dapo Akande. I rely on Member States to support the efforts to promote the rule of law across the table, including on this Council. Disputes in one area should never prevent progress elsewhere. While the challenges are many, the particular primacy of the rule associated with law is essential to the maintenance of international peace and protection and for peacebuilding efforts. This includes clear rules governing the threat or utilization of force, as set out within Article 2, paragraph four and Chapter VII from the Charter. Looking ahead, the report on Our Common Agenda calls for a New Vision for the Rule of Legislation that is an opportunity to reset plus reinforce the centrality from the rule of law in most activities of our Organization. The New Vision will set out the links between the rule associated with law, human rights and development, and call for a people-centred approach that ensures laws and justice are available to all. I will make sure that it is implemented throughout the Organization, including the elements that are in-line with the agenda of this Council. Second, I desire Member States to make full use of the rule of law as a preventive tool. At the international level, the particular Charter devotes an entire Section to the Pacific Settlement associated with Disputes, including through negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, settlement and judicial settlement. This is prevention in action, grounded in international law. The courts and tribunals established by this Council in the 1990s, and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, have held to account several those responsible for atrocity criminal offenses in the former Yugoslavia plus Rwanda. Today, the International Criminal Court may be the central institution of the global criminal justice system; a good aspiration for accountability for your most serious crimes. Around the world, the United Nations can be mobilized against impunity and committed to holding perpetrators to account through fair, 3rd party judicial proceedings. We also strengthen the guideline of law by supporting victims and survivors plus providing access to justice, remedy and reparation. Unconstitutional changes within Government — coups d’état — are regrettably back in fashion. They are especially worrying in places which are already enduring conflict, terrorism and food insecurity, specifically in the Sahel. The United Nations is ready to support local efforts to strengthen democratic governance, peace, security plus sustainable development. The illegal nuclear weapons programme being pursued by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is really a clear and present danger, driving risks and geopolitical tensions to new levels. The onus will be on the DPRK to adhere to its international obligations plus return to the negotiating table. The situation in Haiti is characterized by the deep institutional crisis plus weak rule of regulation, widespread human rights violations, soaring crime rates, problem and transnational crime. I call on Haitian stakeholders to work together to restore comprehensive democratic institutions and the rule of law. As these illustrations illustrate, adherence to the principle of law is more important than ever. All Member States have a responsibility in order to uphold it at every change. The rule associated with law is foundational to efforts by the United Nations to find peaceful solutions to all these clashes, disasters and crises and much more, and to support the most vulnerable people and communities all over the world. Two thousand twenty-two was a deadly year designed for both Palestinians and Israelis. We condemn all unlawful killings and works by extremists. There is no justification for terrorism. At the same time, the expansion of settlements by Israel, along with home demolitions and evictions, are driving anger and despair. The breakdown of the principle of law in Myanmar since the military takeover in 2021 has led to the cycle of violence, repression and severe human rights violations. I urge the authorities to listen to their particular people and return to the democratic transition. On the national level, the principle of law builds believe in between people and institutions. It reduces data corruption and creates a level actively playing field. It enables societies and economies to run smoothly, for the benefit of most. Conversely, when the guideline of law is poor, impunity prevails, organized crime flourishes, and there is a high-risk of violent conflict. In Afghanistan, unprecedented, systemic attacks on women’s and girls’ rights and the flouting of international obligations are usually creating gender-based apartheid. This deliberately undermines the introduction of a country that desperately needs the contributions of all, in order to return to sustainable peace. As the Charter [of the United Nations] states: “We the peoples of the United Nations [are] determined… to establish circumstances under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of global law can be maintained. ” From the smallest village to the global phase, the rule of law is all that stands in between peace and stability, plus a brutal struggle for strength and resources. The rule of law safeguards the vulnerable. This prevents discrimination, harassment along with other abuses. It is our own first line of defence towards atrocity crimes, including genocide. It creates and improves trust in institutions. It supports fair, inclusive economies and societies. In fact it is the basis of international cooperation and multilateralism. Today’s debate sends a powerful message that ensuring the rule of law is our priority and that all countries must adhere to global standards. All stakeholders — Member States, local organizations, civil society as well as the private sector — possess a responsibility to contribute to developing and upholding the rule of law. The Global Court of Justice, with its unique mandate, occupies a unique place. I notice the importance of accepting the mandatory jurisdiction of the Court and call on all Member Claims to do so without any reservations. Members of the Security Council bear a special responsibility right here and should take a leading function. The 1970 Declaration upon Principles of International Regulation concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States, and the 2012 Declaration on the principle of law at the national and international levels, further develop the principles mentioned in the Charter. The body of international humanitarian regulation saves lives and decreases suffering amid conflict. The Geneva Conventions, agreed after the horror of the 2nd World War, demonstrate that even wars have laws. 3rd, I urge Member States to reinforce the rule associated with law as a key enabler to achieve the 2030 Agenda as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 16 on entry to justice for all and effective, inclusive and accountable institutions is a critical enabler for that other Sustainable Development Goals. Poverty, injustice plus exclusion can only be tackled through effective, non-discriminatory, comprehensive public policies. I am also very concerned by the unilateral initiatives that we have seen in recent days. The rule of regulation is at the heart of attaining a just and comprehensive peace, based on a two-State solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law and earlier agreements. The importance of upholding the principle of law will also be shown in the New Agenda designed for Peace. The principle of law is key to addressing existing and upcoming challenges, from nuclear disarmament to the climate crisis, the particular collapse of biodiversity, pandemics and dangerous diseases. Our rule of legislation efforts must adapt to the changing environment and technological advancements. But the international situation shows that we still have far to go. We have been at grave risk of the Rule of Lawlessness. In every region of the globe, civilians suffer the effects of devastating conflicts, loss of human living, rising poverty and food cravings. From the illegal progress nuclear weapons to the illegal use of force, States keep flout international law along with impunity. The Security Council includes a critical role in evolving the rule of law through its efforts to maintain international peace and security, protect human rights plus promote sustainable development. Together, let us commit to improving the rule of law to create a more stable and secure world for all. Thank you. The strong and mutually reinforcing relationship between the guideline of law, accountability and human rights is reflected in my Call to Action on Individual Rights. Ending impunity is fundamental. From your International Court of Proper rights to the Human Rights Authorities and its fact-finding missions and Commissions of Inquiry, Un entities and mechanisms promote and implement the guideline of law. The Russian intrusion of Ukraine has created a humanitarian and human legal rights catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children, and accelerated a global food and energy crises. Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or even use of force is a violation of the Charter and of international law. The guideline of law is foundational to the United Nations, and to the mission of peace. The Security Council has a crucial role in upholding it. The cornerstone of the rule of law is that all people, institutions and entities, public and private, such as the State itself, are responsible before the law. Democratic legitimacy can never be used as a rationale for measures that deteriorate or undermine the principle of law. Municipal society and other stakeholders come with an essential role to play right here. The United Nations stands ready to support Member States through our country teams around the world. Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks towards the Security Council open day, “Promotion and Strengthening from the Rule of Law within the Maintenance of International Peace and Security: the Rule of Law among Nations”, in New York today: The United Nations is certainly uniquely positioned to direct in promoting innovation and progress in accordance with the rule of law. There is no various other global organization with our legitimacy, convening power and normative impact. I actually now turn to how Member States can further reinforce the United Nations and its organs with a view to advertising the rule of regulation. First and foremost, I desire all Member States to uphold the vision as well as the values of the United Nations Rental and the Universal Declaration associated with Human Rights, and to comply with international law. To stay disputes peacefully, without option to the threat or usage of force. To recognize and promote the equal legal rights of all people. To commit to non-intervention in domestic affairs, self-determination of peoples and the sovereign equality associated with Member States.
Rule of Law Essential for Maintaining International Peace, Secretary-General Says at Open Debate, Stressing Security Council’s Critical Function in Upholding Principle
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