OBJECTIVES OF UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW MUST BE IMPLEMENTED NON-SELECTIVELY, SIXTH COMMITTEE TOLD
Press Release
GA/L/3027
OBJECTIVES OF UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW MUST BE IMPLEMENTED NON-SELECTIVELY, SIXTH COMMITTEE TOLD
19961120 Participation of Developing Countries Again Stressed, As Committee Concludes Consideration of DecadeThe objectives of the United Nations Decade of International Law should not be implemented in a selective fashion, neither should they be politically motivated, the representative of Cuba said this morning, as the Sixth Committee (Legal) concluded its consideration of the Decade. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of States remained central, she said.
Also stressing the need for international law to avoid any selectivity, the representative of Algeria said the effective participation of developing countries in the development of international law would strengthen it. The international community must consider the interests and concerns of more countries in the creation of treaties, he said.
The representative of China, too, said developing countries must be given due attention in the elaboration of new treaties, so those instruments might be more widely accepted and applied. He called for strengthening of the role of the International Court of Justice, with States being encouraged to accept its jurisdiction.
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.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Singapore, for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) States, the Russian Federation, Mozambique, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakstan, South Africa and Nicaragua.
The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. tomorrow, 21 November, to begin its consideration of the status of Protocols Additional to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts.
Committee Work Programme
The Sixth Committee (Legal) met this morning to continue 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 on action in 1999 to mark the closing of the Decade and the centennial of the first International Peace Conference. (For background, see Press Release GA/L/3026 of 18 November.)
Statements
MOHAMAD HAFIZ B. SAYUTI (Singapore), speaking for members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the progressive development of international law must be encouraged, particularly in the fields of disarmament, the environment, socio-economic development, peaceful settlement of regional disputes, and the promotion of South-South cooperation.
He said ASEAN's commitment to the United Nations Decade of International Law could be seen in its initiative, together with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, to establish the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone by means of an international treaty. Another example could be seen in the action of several ASEAN countries which agreed to submit some matters to the International Court of Justice. The Association had also encouraged the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law through course offerings on public international law.
CARIDAD YAMIRA CUETO MILIAN (Cuba) said the United Nations Decade of International Law served to strengthen respect and cooperation among States. Today, as never before, that was essential. Nevertheless, the diversity in the world and its differing political ideologies could not be ignored. Even with globalization, regionalization and increasing interdependence, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States remained central. The objectives of the Decade should not be implemented in a selective fashion, neither should they be politically motivated.
VASILY S. SIDOROV (Russian Federation) said his country had proposed the convening of a third peace conference in 1999. It would examine the present international situation and prospects for cooperation, with the aim of responding to the challenges facing the world community on the eve of the twenty-first century. A common approach must be found for safeguarding peace on the planet.
Global interdependence and a desire to balance differing interests were promoting cooperation in international law.
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CARLOS DOS SANTOS (Mozambique) said the United Nations Congress on Public International Law, held during 1995, was one of the most important recent events undertaken within the framework of the Decade. Mozambique attached paramount importance to international law as the most appropriate means of governing international relations and maintaining international peace and security. International cooperation could only be successful if all actors were guided by universally accepted principles, norms and regulations.
WANG CHENGJUN (China) said developing countries must be given due attention in the elaboration of new international treaties, so those instruments might be more widely accepted and applied. The role of the International Court of Justice should be strengthened, and States encouraged to accept its jurisdiction.
The United Nations Congress on Public International Law had encouraged the teaching, study, dissemination and wider appreciation of international law, he said. The establishment of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on 1 August was an inspiring event. It represented a new mechanism for the just settlement of disputes by peaceful means.
SYARGEI SYARGEEU (Belarus) said the Decade was a significant landmark and had focused the international community on the implementation of practical activities. In its support of international law, Belarus had signed and ratified many multilateral treaties. Its Government was also adopting measures to disseminate knowledge of international law at the national level. International law was being taught in state universities and private institutions, and a review of current problems in international law was published regularly. An electronic database was needed to make it possible to keep up to date on activities being taken worldwide with respect to the implementation of international law.
AHCENE KERMA (Algeria) said the international law congress had been a milestone, expanding the chief objectives of the Decade and helping promote international law. International law must be universal, avoiding any selectivity. The effective participation of developing States would strengthen international law. The international community must consider the interests and concerns of more countries in the creation of treaties.
The workload of the International Court of Justice had increased as States took greater interest in it, he said. The Court must be strengthened in order to address its ever-growing number of cases. The increasing attention being given the Court was striking proof of the growing acceptance of international law.
MARKIYAN Z. KULYK (Ukraine) supported the proposal to convene an international peace conference in 1999. Action during the closing years of the Decade should not be limited to the consideration of international and
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inter-State disputes. Thorough analysis and consideration should also be given to such issues as self-determination in the context of disintegration and integration of States.
He said particular attention should be given to elaborating the legal aspects of economic security, including norms and regulations to restrain States from using unilateral economic measures with a view to achieving political gains, which was contrary to international law. The progressive development of international law would promote solutions to the problems of global political development. It would also promote the prevention or peaceful settlement of international and domestic disputes.
MEREY VAISOV (Kazakstan) said that multilateral treaties created a comprehensive legal basis for cooperation among States. He said Kazakstan had instituted internal legal programmes against crime, including drug trafficking. They also aimed at improving Kazakstan's judicial system. All the laws adopted in his country had been reviewed by international experts. The World Bank had given practical help in carrying out the legal reform programme. The publishing of treaties on the Internet would spread awareness and knowledge concerning them throughout the world.
CRAIG J. DANIELL (South Africa) said his country's new Constitution, adopted this year, contained extensive provisions for the application of international law within its domestic law. That text, which would greatly enhance the position of international law in South Africa once it entered into force, also established a basic principle that international agreements would bind his country only when approved by both houses of Parliament. Agreements of a technical, administrative or executive nature, or agreements entered into by the national executive which did not require ratification or accession, would not need Parliamentary approval.
He said the new Constitution provided that all customary international law bound his Government unless it was inconsistent with that Constitution. When interpreting legislation, courts must give preference to interpretations consistent with international law.
The further development of international law required the free flow of information between relevant parties, he said. The Treaty Section's continuing efforts to provide electronic access to multilateral treaties deposited with the Secretary-General were appreciated, particularly by countries at a great distance from United Nations Headquarters. Internet access to the United Nations Treaty Series would also promote a greater understanding of the Organization's work.
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MARIO CASTELLON DUARTE (Nicaragua) said the Central American Court of Justice was the conscience of the region and would shape future generations of Central Americans. The framework treaty for security in Central America was based on the rule and primacy of law. It was aimed at improving democratic institutions, strengthening civil authorities, promoting a culture of peace and democracy, ensuring respect for human rights and supporting political pluralism. It also aimed at alleviating poverty, especially extreme poverty, and sought to protect the environment.
He said Nicaragua supported the proposal to convene a third international peace conference. Such a conference would provide the groundwork for resolving conflict, so the twenty-first century might be a century of peace.
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