UN must usher in new era of respect for the law – Ban Ki-Moon
United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon is calling for a new era of respect for the rule of law by UN member states.
According to him, the world is experiencing a time of “breathtaking” political change driven by peoples’ calls for accountability, transparency and the rule of law. He said never has the UN’s rule of law sector faced such great challenges, or such historic opportunities.
In September, the UN will convene a high-level meeting on the rule of law – the first event of its kind and the first time, since 2005, that these issues will be discussed by top leaders.
The Organization’s work to promote the rule of law will extend to more than 150 countries and include efforts to combat transnational crime, build confidence and capacity in State institutions and battle discrimination against women.
The UN’s approach has three basic components: promoting accountability and reinforcing norms through transitional justice; building justice and security institutions to promote trust; and focusing on justice for women and girls to foster gender equality.
The 15-member body is also expected to include the promotion of transitional justice measures more broadly in the mandates of peacekeeping and political missions, as well as to reject any endorsement of amnesty for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The UN acknowledges that political will and the concerted efforts of both national governments and the international community are critical to preventing conflict and achieving success in the restoration of and respect for the rule of law.
