Secretary-General, in Message to Korean Conference on Constitutional Justice, Says

National Legal Frameworks Guard against Abuse of Power, Constrain Use of Force

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon’s video message for the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, in Seoul, today:

Your Excellency President Park Geun-Hye of the Republic of Korea;Honourable Park Han-Chul, President of the Constitutional Court of Korea; Honourable Gianni Buquicchio, President of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe; Honourable Gagik Harutyunyan, President of the Bureau of World Conference on Constitutional Justice; Excellencies; Ladies and gentlemen:

I congratulate the Constitutional Court of Korea for organizing this Congress.

Constitutions are a compact between the people and the State.  They create the basis for inclusive societies guided by the rule of law.  They provide a means of securing property rights and improving the equitable use of a country’s resources.  A strong constitutional framework sets constraints on the use of force and serves as a check against the abuse of power.

Constitutional courts play a vitally important role in safeguarding this foundation.  They protect rights and deliver justice.  They ensure that public institutions are accountable to the people.  They are central in implementing and reviewing laws that enhance peace and democracy.  Constitutional reform in the aftermath of violent conflict can have a profound impact in addressing root causes and providing peaceful channels for the resolution of disputes.

As the international community shapes a post-2015 development agenda and a new set of sustainable development goals, greater attention to the rule of law, institutions and justice will be crucial if we are to succeed in building lives of dignity for all.

Thank you for your commitment to strengthening the role of constitutional courts and helping the United Nations advance its global mission of peace, development and human rights.  Please accept my best wishes for a successful conference.

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For information media • not an official record