The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) said Thursday that the world is at “serious risk of anarchy”, from the development of nuclear weapons to the illegal use of force, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an example.
In a ministerial-level debate convened by Japan at the UN Security Council, on the theme “Rule of law among nations”, António Guterres highlighted the importance of the rule of law for peacekeeping missions in the world, calling it as “the first line of defense against heinous crimes, including genocide.”
However, for Guterres, the international situation shows that there is still a long way to go.
“We are at grave risk from the state of lawlessness. In all regions of the world, civilians are suffering the effects of devastating conflicts, loss of life, increasing poverty and famine. From the illegal development of nuclear weapons to the unlawful use of force, States continue to disrespect international law with impunity,” Guterres said.
Naming a number of countries where the rule of law is violated, the UN leader singled out Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which “created a human rights and humanitarian catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children and accelerated global food and energy crises.” “.
“Any annexation of the territory of a State by another State as a result of the threat or use of force is a violation of the Charter and International Law,” stressed the former Portuguese Prime Minister.
Turning to other situations in the world, António Guterres considered 2022 as “a deadly year” for Palestinians and Israelis; He appreciated that unconstitutional changes of governments and coups “unfortunately are back in fashion” and was particularly concerned about these attacks in places that already face conflict, terrorism and food insecurity, such as the Sahel region.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program was not left out of the UN Secretary General’s analysis, who described it as a “clear and present danger” that “raises geopolitical risks and tensions to new heights.”
In Afghanistan, unprecedented systemic attacks on the rights of women and girls and failure to comply with international obligations “are creating a gender-based ‘apartheid,'” Guterres said, also referring to the collapse of the rule of law in Myanmar. (formerly Burma). since the 2021 military coup, as well as the “deep institutional crisis and weak rule of law, widespread human rights abuses, rising crime rates, corruption and transnational crime” in Haiti.
“As these examples illustrate, adherence to the rule of law is more important than ever. All Member States have a responsibility to uphold it at all times,” he stressed.
In today’s debate, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan (the country that assumes the monthly rotating presidency of the Security Council in January), Hayashi Yoshimasa, Guterres also highlighted the importance of ending impunity, highlighting UN entities such as the International Court of Justice, the Human Rights Council and its investigative missions and commissions as promoters and executors of the rule of law.
Focusing on the role of UN Member States in strengthening the rule of law, the Secretary General urged them to invest in the peaceful resolution of disputes, to commit to non-intervention in internal affairs, to the self-determination of peoples and sovereignty. equality of countries and that they make full use of the rule of law as a preventive instrument.
“The Security Council plays a fundamental role in promoting the rule of law through its efforts to maintain international peace and security, protect human rights and promote sustainable development. Together, we will commit to promoting the rule of law to create a more stable and secure world for all,” he concluded.
Together with Guterres, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Joan E. Donoghue, and Dapo Akande, professor of public international law at the University of Oxford, spoke at the meeting.
Japan convened this debate in order to create “a deeper discussion on how to act within the framework of the United Nations, to guarantee peace and security through the promotion of the rule of law.”
Over the past decade, the Council has held several open debates on this topic. However, the current dynamics of the Security Council, affected by the war in Ukraine, may make it difficult for the Council to advance the discussion on the promotion of the rule of law.
In her speech, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that “no person, prime minister or president, state or country is above the law,” lashing out at nations that are flouting their laws. commitments to the Charter. of the United Nations, citing Russia (which is one of the five permanent members of the Council with veto power) as an example.
“The most flagrant example is sitting here with us. There is no international legal basis for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia is violating the UN Charter,” the US diplomat stressed.
Source: TSF
