FIRST ‘TREATY EVENT’ OF SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON’S TENURE, AT HEADQUARTERS,

25-27 SEPTEMBER, 1-2 OCTOBER; HIGHLIGHTS 43 TREATIES ON BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS

In a continuing effort to bolster international law and strengthen the rule of law, the United Nations will organize the ninth treaty event at United Nations Headquarters on 25-27 September and 1-2 October.

In his letter of invitation on 9 May, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Member States to demonstrate their continuing commitment to the central role of the rule of law in international relations by signing, ratifying or acceding to treaties deposited with the Secretary-General at the treaty event.  “This year’s theme, for the first treaty event that will take place during my term as Secretary-General, will assist in focusing attention on the important goal of moving towards universal participation and implementation, and will target those areas directly affecting human beings, their security, environment, development and human dignity,” noted the Secretary-General.

In response, dozens of countries have already indicated their intention to sign, ratify or accede to the treaties during the treaty event that will take place in a special area near the Delegates Entrance.  The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, its Optional Protocol, and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, all of which were adopted in 2006, have thus far attracted the most interest.

This year’s event, entitled “Focus 2007:  Towards Universal Participation and Implementation -- A Comprehensive Legal Framework for Peace, Development and Human Rights”, highlights 43 multilateral treaties covering human rights, terrorism, organized crime, corruption, environment, law of the sea, disarmament, international trade, law of treaties and the recently adopted treaties.

In September 2000, the United Nations invited world leaders attending the landmark Millennium Summit to take advantage of their presence at United Nations Headquarters to sign a wide range of major international treaties.  That year, a successful side event, called “An Invitation to Universal Participation”, offered a platform for Governments to showcase their commitment to strengthening the rule of law at home and in the global arena.  Since then, the treaty event has been held annually, usually coinciding with the general debate of the General Assembly in September.  A total of eight treaty events have been held since 2000 and have resulted in more than 1,200 new signatures, ratifications, acceptances, accessions and other treaty-related actions.

A woman’s or girl’s right to life from violence is enshrined in a number of treaties deposited with the Secretary-General.  Five treaties related to the prevention of violence against women are included in the Focus 2007 treaty event.  These are:  Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979); Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1999); Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989); Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children; Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (2000); and Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000).

Historically, women’s struggles against violence, including the impunity that so often protects its perpetrators, have been closely intertwined with their fight to overcome discrimination.  It was women’s efforts that led to the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the principal international human rights instrument for women and girls.  The Convention defines discrimination against women as any “distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex, which has the effect … of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women … on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms…”

Five terrorism-related treaties are also highlighted in the treaty event.  These are:  Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents (1973); International Convention against the Taking of Hostages (1979); International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombing (1997); International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (1999); and International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

The United Nations adopted a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2006.  This marked the first time that Member States have agreed to a comprehensive, global strategic framework to counter terrorism.  The strategy spells out concrete measures for Member States to take to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, to prevent and combat terrorism and strengthen their individual and collective capacity to do so, and to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law while countering terrorism.

Of the treaties featured in this year’s event, there are 12 human rights-related treaties, one treaty on electronic commerce and three recently adopted treaties relating to disabilities and enforced disappearance, which are open for signature.  All highlighted treaties are open for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in accordance with their respective provisions.

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For information media • not an official record