24 Sep 2012

UN / RULE OF LAW WRAP 2

United States Attorney General told delegates today at the United Nations that "we've seen, time and again, that there is a strong link between fostering democratic values and supporting the rule of law". UNTV

Posted at: September 24, 2012 8:27 pm

Duration: 03:00

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STORY: UN / RULE OF LAW WRAP 2
TRT: 3.00
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / SPANISH / NATS

DATELINE: 24 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

FILE – 2011, UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations Headquarters

24 SEPTEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Plenary
3. Wide shot, US Attorney general Eric Holder at the podium
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Eric holder, Attorney General, United States:
"From our national systems, to the UN's work in advancing the goals of international peace and security; of human rights for all people – including women, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities – and of economic development and job creation – we've seen, time and again, that there is a strong link between fostering democratic values and supporting the rule of law."
5. Cutaway, United States delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Eric holder, Attorney General, United States:
"In today's world, the greatest threat to development and recovery is a weak rule of law. That's why the promise we've gathered to fulfill – and the pledges we're here to make – are, and must continue to be, a top priority.   It's also why, at the international level, I am proud to say that the United States will continue to support UN-led efforts to expand access to legal aid, to more effectively combat drug trafficking and organized crime alongside our international partners, and to build on UN initiatives in the rule of law sector that are focused on conflict and post-conflict situations."
7. Wide shot, Eric Holder leaves microphone behind
8. Wide shot, Alfredo Moreno Charme, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile walks to podium
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Alfredo Moreno Charme, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chile:
"In our view, promotion of and respect for the rule of law at the international level involve gradual and universal acceptance by States of international law and their consequent compliance with their obligations under the law. In this connection, respect for international treaties is basic, in addition to being bound by such treaties, the parties must comply with them in good faith. Here we would emphasize the need for compliance with border treaties and for stable borders."
10. Cutaway, Chilean delegation 
11. Wide shot, Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan approaches podium
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan:
"The chance to live in peace and security is a fundamental right of all peoples. The people of Afghanistan desire nothing more than the chance to live in a violence–free environment. In this regard, Afghanistan's security sector reform, initiated in 2001, has led to the formation of a national army and police whose ranks represent the diversity of the country. Consistent with the transition process, our security forces are taking increased responsibility-backed by public confidence in them-to meet the security needs of our peoples, in our villages, towns, provinces."
13. Wide shot, Zalmai Rassoul leaves podium behind

STORYLINE:

Addressing world delegates during a summit at the General Assembly on rule of law today (24 September) in New York Eric Holder said, "The greatest threat to development and recovery is a weak rule of law".

Holder also said the US would continue supporting UN-led efforts to expand access to legal aid, to combat drug trafficking and organized crime alongside its international partners, as well as to "build on UN initiatives in the rule of law sector that are focused on conflict and post-conflict situations".

While taking note of the Secretary General's words that the rule at the international level underpinned the Charter of the UN, Chile's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alfredo Moreno Charme said that in his country's view the promotion of and respect for the rule of law at the international level involved "gradual and universal acceptance by States of international law and their consequent compliance with their obligations under the law".

He stressed that the respect for international treaties was a basic issue, and that in addition to being bound by such treaties, the parties "must comply with them in good faith. Here we would emphasize the need for compliance with border treaties and for stable borders".

Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan said that the chance to live in peace and security was a "fundamental right of all peoples".  He said that the people of Afghanistan wanted to live in a "violent-free environment" and in that connection he said that consistent with the transition process under way, the country's security forces were taking "increased responsibility-backed by public confidence in them-to meet the security needs of our peoples, in our villages, towns, provinces".

Heads of State and Government and ministers from nearly 80 nations are attending the meeting, which aims to highlight the essential link between the rule of law at the national and international levels and economic growth, sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger.

The Outcome Document arising from the summit called on all States that had not yet done so to accept the jurisdiction of the Hague-based ICC, an independent international organization that is not part of the UN and tries those accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. So far 121 countries have adhered to the treaty that set up the ICC.