UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, 1990-1999, ALREADY A SUCCESS, IRELAND TELLS SIXTH COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/L/3025
UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, 1990-1999, ALREADY A SUCCESS, IRELAND TELLS SIXTH COMMITTEE
19961118 Credits Good Organization by Committee, Industry of Secretariat, Cooperation by States, Other BodiesThe United Nations Decade of International Law, 1990-1999, was already a success, the representative of Ireland said this afternoon, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) began its consideration of the Decade. Speaking for the European Union and associated States, he attributed that success to the Committee's sensible organization of work, the Secretariat's efforts, and cooperation by States, international organizations and other bodies.
Also this afternoon, an observer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported on steps that body has taken to promote respect for international humanitarian law. Those included the opening of a site on the World Wide Web, disseminating information on environmental protection in times of armed conflict, and helping States draft laws on war crimes.
The Decade of International Law was established to promote respect for international law and for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States, including resort to the International Court of Justice. It also seeks to encourage the progressive development of international law and its codification, as well as its teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation.
The Committee will meet again at 3 pm. tomorrow, 19 November, to continue its consideration of the Decade.
Committee Work Programme
The Sixth Committee (Legal) met this afternoon to begin its consideration of the United Nations Decade of International Law, 1990-1999. It had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the Decade, as well as a draft resolution sponsored by the Netherlands and the Russian Federation on action in 1999 to mark the closing of the Decade and the centennial of the first International Peace Conference. That Conference was held at The Hague in 1899, at Russia's initiative.
The Decade of International Law was established to promote respect for international law and for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States, including resort to the International Court of Justice. It also seeks to encourage the progressive development of international law and its codification, as well as its teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation. In his report (documents A/51/278 and Add.1), the Secretary- General summarizes information received from States and international organizations concerning the aims of the Decade.
On efforts to promote respect for international law, the report addresses work aimed at promoting the acceptance of multilateral treaties, assisting States in multilateral treaty-making, and exploring means of implementing them. It also addresses such questions as the role of the Sixth Committee and the General Assembly, the proceedings of the United Nations Congress on Public International Law, the provision of adequate financing to implement the programme of the Decade, and efforts to establish national, subregional and regional committees for its implementation.
On educational aspects of the issue, the report explores efforts to promote the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, as well as international cooperation to promote such teaching at the level of higher education. It discusses international and regional seminars and symposia for experts on international law, as well as training in international law for legal professionals and government officials.
The publication by States and international organizations of international legal instruments and studies is also covered, as is the wider publication of judgements and advisory opinions of international courts and tribunals. Also addresses is the publication by international organizations of treaties concluded under their auspices, as well as publication of the United Nations Treaty Series and the United Nations Juridical Yearbook.
The report also reviews United Nations activities for the progressive development of international law and its codification. It considers such work in the fields of human rights, disarmament, outer space, economic development, crime prevention and criminal justice, the environment, international trade,
Sixth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/L/3025 42nd Meeting (PM) 18 November 1996
and the law of the sea. It also addresses the relevant work of the Sixth Committee, the International Law Commission, and the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization.
By the draft resolution on commemorative action in 1999 (document A/C.6/51/L.6), the Assembly would consider it desirable to draft a programme of action dedicated to the centennial of the Peace Conference and to the closing of the Decade. It would ask the Russian Federation and the Netherlands to arrange, as a matter of urgency, a preliminary discussion with other interested Member States on the substantive content of 1999 action.
The Assembly would also ask those Governments to seek the cooperation of the International Court of Justice, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, relevant intergovernmental organizations and other bodies. It would also call on the competent United Nations organs, programmes and specialized agencies to study the possibilities of providing assistance in support of the action.
Statements
FRANCIS MAHON HAYES (Ireland), speaking for the European Union and Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Norway, said the United Nations Decade of International Law was already a success. That success was attributable to the sensible organization of work adopted by the Sixth Committee, the industry of the Secretariat, and the cooperation of States, international organizations and other bodies.
The ever-increasing number of ratifications and accessions to the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea was a development that facilitated respect for international law, he said. The work done by the Committee of Legal Advisors on Public International Law and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) had promoted the development and codification of international law.
In addition, the Preparatory Committee on the establishment of an international criminal court had made progress in elaborating the text of a statute for such a court, he said. The European Union would continue to take an active part in the work on the international criminal court.
JEAN-PHILIPPE LAVOYER, observer for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said that body had made great efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law. It had opened a site on the World Wide Web to disseminate related information and training, and was engaged in spreading knowledge on protecting the environment in times of armed conflict. It had also repeated its support for a total ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of anti-personnel land-mines.
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The ICRC was actively involved in the developments concerning war crimes, he said. Efforts now being undertaken through individual tribunals should culminate in the establishment of an independent and impartial, permanent criminal court.
He drew attention to the problem of translating States' international obligations into national laws. The ICRC had created an International Humanitarian Law Advisory Service which, during its first months of activity, had helped authorities in more than 10 countries to draft laws regarding war crimes. In addition, 14 seminars on implementation of such laws at the national level had been organized since the beginning of the year.
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