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UN calls for reaffirmed global commitment to rule of law

25 September 2012 00:49 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Top UN officials attending a high-level meeting here on Monday called on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law in their efforts to resolve conflicts and create lasting peace, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Established in the Charter of the United Nations, the rule of law "gives the international community a basis to cooperate and peacefully resolve conflicts and the means to ensure that there is no relapse of fighting," UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon told the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels.

"There should be no selectivity in applying resolutions, decisions and laws. We cannot allow political self-interest to undermine justice," said Ban.

"Strengthening the rule of law is for every country and is in everyone’s interest. It is as essential within countries as it is among the family of nations," he added.

In his address to the high-level meeting, President of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic said that the meeting is a "new landmark moment in the global peace process."

"Within states, the just application of the rule of law stands at the foundation of responsible governance. In the international arena, it helps ensure predictability of action and legitimacy of outcomes," Jeremic noted.

The former Serbian foreign minister stressed that international law must not be seen as a "utopian aspiration" that has little relevance to the conduct of world affairs.

"The principles and rules codified by centuries of treaties and agreements between nations should serve legitimate state interests, rather than trying to override them. By strictly adhering to the rule of law, we discourage the recourse to war," he said.

The UN high-level meeting came on the eve of the General Assembly’s annual general debate, whose theme will be the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

Both the president of the General Assembly and the UN chief called on member states to strengthen their commitment to applying the rule of law at both the international and the national levels.

They also urged member states to adopt a draft resolution to show their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.

"To be effective, the corpus of international law must be observed by all member states -- great and small, rich and poor alike," said Jeremic.

"I count on you to help forge a new, structured approach to strengthening the rule of law and delivering justice, so we can achieve peace, development and human rights," said Ban.