Good Facilities Aside, Justice Requires Courage, Integrity, Secretary-General

Says, as United Nations Office at Nairobi Inaugurates New Courtroom

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Sahle-Work Zewde, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi,on the inauguration of a new courtroom there on 11 June:

I am pleased to convey my warm congratulations on the inauguration of the new courtroom at the United Nations Office at Nairobi.

I applaud the Office of Administration of Justice and the United Nations Office at Nairobi for closely cooperating to equip this courtroom with state-of-the-art digital audio-visual and recording facilities.  With interpretation booths for three languages and space for up to 50 people, this courtroom can conduct efficient hearings with parties and witnesses both in Nairobi and away from this duty station.

The completion of this Nairobi courtroom comes just weeks before the fourth anniversary of the new system of administration of justice on 1 July.  We are now working to establish similar courtrooms at other duty stations as part of our ongoing commitment to internal justice.

Justice demands more than good facilities; it requires courage and integrity.  I count on the personnel who will work here to make the most of this courtroom in serving all staff who come here seeking justice.

The United Nations, which promotes the rule of law around the world, must always uphold justice in our own realm.  In that spirit, I offer my best wishes for the great success of this new courtroom.

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For information media • not an official record