Legal

Stating that the rule of law was linked to sovereignty and control over the use of force and resources, as well as similarly sensitive matters, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and the Chairperson of the Rule of Law Resource and Coordination Group, Asha-Rose Migiro, told the Sixth Committee (Legal) at a briefing today that a 2011 high-level event for a review of activities in the area of the rule of law would be welcome.

Delegates warmly praised three achievements of the last session of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) as the Sixth Committee (Legal) today considered the Commission’s report of the session, held in New York from 21 June to 9 July. The Chairperson of the Commission, Ricardo Sandoval López (Chile), said it was one of the most fruitful sessions he could recall over the past 20 years.

The rules of conduct for judges in the new two-tier system of administration of justice at the United Nations were based on the seven core principles to be followed by all judges in performing their duties, India’s delegate said today as the Sixth Committee (Legal) heard views on the new system, upon concluding its current consideration of measures to eliminate international terrorism.

As the Sixth Committee today took up the question of measures to eliminate international terrorism, delegates both called for the conclusion of the draft comprehensive convention while at the same time expressing concern that the finalization of the draft convention not be at the expense of international law, humanitarian law and the core tenets of the United Nations Charter.

The Sixth Committee today adopted its programme of work, as orally amended, and decided to take up the item of Administration of Justice at the United Nations on the afternoon of Wednesday, 6 October, in order to give delegations time to informally discuss the issues and reports.

The United Nations is concerned that fraudulent correspondence using the Organization’s name and emblem is circulating worldwide via websites, e-mails, fax messages and phone calls. As the number of reported fraudulent cases increases around the world, the United Nations is warning the public about illicit schemes to solicit money and, in many cases, personal information from private individuals, using the United Nations name and emblem.

Expressing optimism that obstacles to a comprehensive anti-terrorism convention could finally be overcome, members of the General Assembly committee negotiating that text recommended this morning that the Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal) establish a working group for that purpose during its sixty-fifth session.

Members of the General Assembly committee negotiating a comprehensive anti-terrorism convention expressed hope this morning that remaining obstacles to completing the long-stalled draft text could be overcome during the Committee’s fourteenth session, which opened today.

Eighteen fellows were selected for the United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme on 23 March by Patricia O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Legal Counsel of the United Nations.