Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | M | M2 Presswire

Security Council calls on Member States to help enhance UN role in establishing justice, rule of law in post-conflict States; Secretary-General hopes for new commitment by Council to place those issues at heart of work rebuilding war-torn countries. Page 2 of 2.

Article Excerpt
M2 PRESSWIRE-25 September 2003-UN: Security Council calls on Member States to help enhance UN role in establishing justice, rule of law in post-conflict States; Secretary-General hopes for new commitment by Council to place those issues at heart of work rebuilding war-torn countries. Page 2 of 2(C)1994-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:09242003

FAROUK AL-SHARA, Foreign Minister of Syria, said that the question of justice and the rule of law was particularly applicable to the Middle East. The United Nations had adopted a record number of resolutions in the Middle East, which had been enforced in some instances, and not in others. Therefore, a lack of equal standards had become a catchphrase in the region.

He asked how Palestinian refugees could respect the rule of law when their right of return was denied, even as other immigrants were welcomed. He spoke of the injustices of the current situation between Israel and Palestinians. He said that Israel had also accused many nations of activities that it itself was guilty of, such as the possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Syria, he said, through its membership in the Security Council has supported strengthening peacekeeping through the enhancement of the rule of law component. He asked that all Member States support the Organization with adequate resources for that purpose.

SOLOMON PASSY, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, said democratic government, the rule of law and respect for human rights played an essential role in preventing international and internal conflicts.

There was, therefore, a need to guarantee that the rule of law was a priority in preventive activities of the Organization and that the Council treat the violation of that principle as a potential threat to international peace and security. The effective administration of justice and rule of law should be taken into account in mission mandates. Attaining lasting peace depended largely on building an effective system of the administration of justice in line with international standards.

He said in post-conflict situations, the establishment or re-establishment of the rule of law was a key prerequisite for the success of the entire reconstruction process. In building or supporting the work of the judiciary in the affected country, United Nations activities should be coordinated with local parties taking into account special circumstances and local traditions. Lessons learned in Afghanistan and Iraq had showed that, in order to preserve the trust in the Organization, it was essential to avoid the impression that a "foreign" order was being imposed. Bulgaria would, therefore, support a new resolution expanding the United Nations role in Iraq.

There were multiple challenges to international efforts to strengthen the rule of law of law. Those challenges were often political. He asked whether one should look for an agreement on ending hostilities by offering amnesty to those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and said the clear answer was no. It would be wise for the United Nations to consider a pool of...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!