GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HAILS ACHIEVEMENTS OF LAW DECADE

Press Release
GA/SM/127
L/2935

GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT HAILS ACHIEVEMENTS OF LAW DECADE

Following is the text of an address by Theo-Ben Gurirab, President of the General Assembly, to the commemorative meeting marking the end of the United Nations Decade of International Law:

It gives me a special pleasure to speak on the occasion of the closing of the United Nations Decade of International Law. Through the efforts of States, international organiztions and institutions, including eminent representatives of the international legal profession -- practitioners and academics alike -- this Decade has been known for significantly contributing to the promotion of, and respect for, international law worldwide.

I also wish to acknowledge the presence of and welcome the Ministers of Justice of about 18 Member States. These Ministers, who are all women, have been meeting at the United Nations and exchanging views with each other, as well as with other women in key lawmaking and enforcement positions in Governments and multilateral institutions in their countries. I am delighted that they are participating in our programme for the closure of the Decade of International Law.

Negotiations to reform, restructure and democratize the United Nations and, no less, to make its working methods more transparent are taking place at a time when the entire international community is hard at work analyzing the lessons of the past and making concerted efforts to find solutions to old and new problems and global challenges on the eve of the next millennium. It is, therefore, most timely and appropriate to examine the results of the Decade in the context of the important activities of the international legal bodies. I hope that the fifty- fourth session of the General Assembly will further enhance the reform process of the Organization.

We expect from this meeting concrete recommendations for future actions in the area of international law based on results of a frank and constructive evaluation of the achievements of the Decade. This may include analysis of burning issues and finding solutions to problems, which now stand in the way of realizing the noble objectives enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Success in this will not only affect the future role of our Organization but would also assist in strengthening the rule of law

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internationally as the basis for cooperative and mutually rewarding relations among nations in the new millennium.

I am pleased indeed to acknowledge the constructive contributions being made by the relevant bodies of the General Assembly, assisted by the Secretariat, towards achieving this desirable goal. These bodies include the Sixth Committee, the International Law Commission, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and others, such as the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization, and not least the Committee which is dealing with the prevention of international terrorism. I cannot fail in mentioning the various working groups of the subsidiary bodies that were established to deal with various topical issues of international law during the Decade.

All of them have made constructive contributions towards the realization of one of the most important goals of the United Nations and, in particular, of the General Assembly, namely: "... promoting international cooperation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification". This mandate is provided for in Article 13, paragraph 1(a), of the UN Charter itself.

When the practical results of UN activities and its mandates are scrutinized, including questions about its relevance or efficacy, we must be able to reaffirm our complete faith in the United Nations and to declare with confidence that the world would be a much more unsafe and insecure place without it. The threats would be many – to wit, the law of the jungle, a vicious arms race, endemic social chaos, unbridled national rivalries, aggravation of disparities, unsettled conflicts and lawlessness, among others.

The UN has been and continues to be a unique and indispensable universal instrument for the survival of humankind and our common development and progress. This role is, however, unattainable without proper international regulation and management by the established legal bodies. Can we really imagine modern international political and economic relations and trade, satellites, the Internet, aviation, technological and scientific and cultural exchanges, environmental protection, travel, the use of natural resources, exploration of outer space and other vital human activities, without a solid international legal foundation? The answer is obvious: we need the United Nations -- yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The Charter of the United Nations, which forms the basis of the international legal system, entrusted the General Assembly with the task of consolidating, strengthening and developing international law. In keeping with this mandate, the General Assembly has conducted ongoing activities in this field. This has resulted, during the Decade, in the adoption of many groundbreaking, major conventions.

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Undoubtedly, the most significant achievement to date is the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Its adoption has been a truly historic milestone. I congratulate the trailblazers, the movers and shakers who remained steadfastly engaged, during the protracted negotiations, until the final victory was won. Congratulations to all of them, once again, for a job well done.

The task of developing and codifying international law must continue unabated even if it may require adjustment, from time to time, in light of any practical realities of modern life.

On the eve of 2000, our planet faces new challenges of global cooperation and peaceful co-existence. We must master the techniques for the survival of humanity, of our civilization and of its sustenance. New and profound social, bio-technological and telecommunications innovations of far-reaching consequences are taking place today. The future is more likely than not going to be characterized by even more bewildering things we may not be able to think of, let alone comprehend, at present. One of the challenges is whether we are really ready, as a human family, for the coming age?

Solving global problems or facing emerging challenges is hardly possible without effective legal regulation on a global scale. That is why important legal bodies, such as the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly, the International Law Commission and UNCITRAL, need further strengthening. As the world moves towards the twenty-first century, and we with it, we also need a system-wide expert analysis, modification and elaboration of appropriate legal concepts and principles, as well as their accompanying normative and institutional mechanisms.

I continue, and particularly in my present capacity, wholeheartedly to support all your efforts to continue your public education, in all UN Member States, on the importance of the rule of law in the fields of international relations, preventive diplomacy and multilateral negotiations. Involvement in this campaign, of youth and children -- the world’s future leaders -- should not be taken lightly. I believe that transmission of knowledge, from the old to the young, that is not based on a strong and caring family tradition, is like a broken-winged bird which cannot fly. Law, above all, is about tradition and about differentiating between right and wrong, truths and lies. Good citizenship, cooperation and devotion to justice are among the noble ideals that the rule of law is expected to be promoting in human society.

Let the next decade represent, preach and practice a culture of peace and tolerance. Not only that; let it also be known for the respect of law, fairness in the administration of justice and for a fair deal for the poor and the needy of the world. May our beloved children everywhere in the world at last find peace of mind, protection from crime, abuse and forced soldiering, and proceed to fulfil all their wonderful dreams. You must make the rule of law weighty, just and unrelenting for their sake and future.