UN / RULE OF LAW

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12-Jan-2023 00:03:05
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “the rule of law is foundational to the United Nation,” reiterating that the Security Council has “a vital role in upholding it.” UNIFEED

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STORY: UN / RULE OF LAW
TRT: 3:05
SOURCE: UNIFEED
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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 12 JANUARY 2023, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

SHOTLIST:

RECENT - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations

12 JANUARY 2023, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
“The rule of law is foundational to the United Nations, and to our mission of peace. The Security Council has a vital role in upholding it. The cornerstone of the rule of law is that all people, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable before the law. From the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law is all that stands between peace and stability, and a brutal struggle for power and resources.”
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises. Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Charter and of international law.”
6. Wide shot, Security Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
“I urge all Member States to uphold the vision and the values of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to abide by international law. To settle disputes peacefully, without recourse to the threat or use of force. To recognize and promote the equal rights of all people. To commit to non-intervention in domestic affairs, self-determination of peoples and the sovereign equality of Member States.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
“I urge Member States to make full use of the rule of law as a preventive tool. At the international level, the Charter devotes an entire Chapter to the Pacific Settlement of disputes, including through negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement. This is prevention in action, rooted in international law. At the national level, the rule of law builds trust between people and institutions. It reduces corruption and creates a level playing field. It enables societies and economies to run smoothly, for the benefit of all.”
10. Wide shot, Security Council
11. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, UN Secretary-General:
“Poverty, injustice and exclusion can only be addressed through effective, non-discriminatory, inclusive public policies. Democratic legitimacy can never be used as a rationale for measures that weaken or undermine the rule of law. Civil society and other stakeholders have an essential role to play here.”
12. Wide shot, Security Council
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ):
“If States mean what they say when they proclaim their fidelity to the rule of law at the international level, it is incumbent on them to exercise restraint and forbearance. They may not settle their disputes by using or threatening force and must be prepared to have the legality of their conduct evaluated by international courts and tribunals.”
14. Wide shot, Security Council

STORYLINE:

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “the rule of law is foundational to the United Nation,” reiterating that the Security Council has “a vital role in upholding it.”

Addressing the Security Council today (12 Jan) in New York, the Secretary-General highlighted, “The cornerstone of the rule of law is that all people, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable before the law.”

Guterres added, “From the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law is all that stands between peace and stability, and a brutal struggle for power and resources.”

The UN chief also said that all stakeholders – Member States, regional organizations, civil society and the private sector – have a responsibility to contribute to building and upholding the rule of law.

However, the international situation shows that the world still has far to go, Guterres said, adding that we are at grave risk of the Rule of Lawlessness.

In every region of the world, civilians suffer the effects of devastating conflicts, loss of human life, rising poverty and hunger, the UN chief said. He added that from the illegal development of nuclear weapons to the illegal use of force, States continue to flout international law with impunity.

Guterres said, “the Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatized a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises.”

“Any annexation of a State’s territory by another State resulting from the threat or use of force is a violation of the Charter and of international law,” the UN chief reiterated.

2022 was a deadly year for both Palestinians and Israelis, Guterres noted, condemning all unlawful killings and acts by extremists. There is no justification for terrorism, he said.

On how Member States can further strengthen the United Nations and its organs with a view to promoting the rule of law, the UN chief presented three points.

First, he urged all Member States to “uphold the vision and the values of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to abide by international law. To settle disputes peacefully, without recourse to the threat or use of force. To recognize and promote the equal rights of all people. To commit to non-intervention in domestic affairs, self-determination of peoples and the sovereign equality of Member States.”

Second, Guterres urged Member States to “make full use of the rule of law as a preventive tool.”

He explained, “At the international level, the Charter devotes an entire Chapter to the Pacific Settlement of disputes, including through negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and judicial settlement. This is prevention in action, rooted in international law.”

At the national level, the UN chief continued, “the rule of law builds trust between people and institutions. It reduces corruption and creates a level playing field. It enables societies and economies to run smoothly, for the benefit of all.”

Third, Guterres urged Member States to reinforce the rule of law as a key enabler to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

He explained, “Poverty, injustice and exclusion can only be addressed through effective, non-discriminatory, inclusive public policies.”

The UN chief added, “Democratic legitimacy can never be used as a rationale for measures that weaken or undermine the rule of law. Civil society and other stakeholders have an essential role to play here.”

Judge Joan E. Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), addressed the Council via a video link from the Hague.

She said, “If States mean what they say when they proclaim their fidelity to the rule of law at the international level, it is incumbent on them to exercise restraint and forbearance.”

Judge Donoghue continued, “they may not settle their disputes by using or threatening force and must be prepared to have the legality of their conduct evaluated by international courts and tribunals.”
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