SG/SM/5819

`RENAISSANCE' OF INTERNATIONAL LAW NEEDED TO TRANSFORM WORLD SCENE SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL IN ADDRESS AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY

I am grateful for the honourary Doctor of Laws, which Carleton University has conferred on me today. The founders of the United Nations recognized the special importance of international law to the world Organization. They placed the principle that international relations must be based on the rule of law at the heart of the United Nations Charter.

Throughout the confrontation of the cold war, international law provided a means of common progress and a common language for international dialogue. Transcending political, ideological, and cultural divisions, international law provided a way to develop shared norms and common standards. The community of nations has entered a new era. The international system that supported us in the past has yet to be replaced. We are in the process of building a new international system, and we are doing so under unprecedented conditions. A renaissance of international law is needed to help transform the world scene in this new era that all States have entered.

International law is a great achievement. We must recognize, and build upon the legal foundations for international action. The notion that individual human rights can be protected by the international community is one of the great practical and intellectual achievements of international law. Even before the development of the modern concept of "human rights", the humanitarian aspect of international law established the presence of the individual in international law, and as a subject of international relations. We must not take this achievement for granted.

The basic instruments of international humanitarian law include The Hague Rules, the four 1949 Geneva Conventions, the 1977 Additional Protocols, and a large body of customary international law. Important human rights conventions have been agreed to. Included among these are the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and important conventions regarding the elimination of all forms of discrimination based on race, sex, or religious beliefs.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/5819 22 November 1995

The International Court of Justice has expanded the jurisdiction of human rights protections and humanitarian norms -- establishing that all States are bound by the general principles of humanitarian law. The General Assembly has expanded the scope of international humanitarian law through the adoption of resolutions on the humanitarian rights of civilian populations, on the protection of United Nations peace-keeping personnel, on the principles of international humanitarian assistance, and on the humanitarian obligations of Member States.

The Security Council, in the aftermath of the Gulf war, has taken unprecedented actions to protect civilian populations, and preserve human rights in the region. In the former Yugoslavia, the Council created the legal concept of international safe havens. Elsewhere, it has sought to use the legal tool of sanctions in the service of security. These actions have expanded the legal foundations for international action in response to the proliferation and brutality of modern civil conflicts. Today, the foundation for effective international action has been laid.

En effet, il est indispensable que la soci�t� internationale soit dot�e aujourd'hui d'institutions judiciaires solides, cr�dibles et efficaces.

Depuis longtemps, l'Organisation des Nations Unies oeuvre pour la codification et l'�laboration progressive du droit international. Mais cette action normative n'est rien, si elle n'est pas compl�t�e et renforc�e par une activit� juridictionnelle cons�quente.

En effet, �laborer des r�gles ne suffit pas. Il faut aussi en assurer l'application. Or, force est de reconna�tre que, trop souvent encore, des r�gles fondamentales du droit international sont syst�matiquement viol�es. Cela est inadmissible et inacceptable! Et il faut donc, de toute urgence, y porter rem�de.

D'ores et d�j�, des mesures sont en train d'�tre mises en oeuvre. Ainsi, sur le fondement du Chapitre VII de la Charte, des tribunaux internationaux sur les crimes de guerres viennent d'�tre cr��s afin de poursuivre les personnes suspect�es de g�nocide ou d'autres violations des droits de l'homme dans l'ex-Yougoslavie et au Rwanda.

Ces tribunaux auront comp�tence pour poursuivre non seulement ceux qui ont commis de tels crimes, mais �galement tous ceux qui les ont initi�s et ont particip� � leur pr�paration. Cela constitue, � mes yeux, un progr�s consid�rable du droit international tant sur le plan conceptuel que sur le plan op�rationnel.

Car, les dispositions du Chapitre VII de la Charte permettent, le cas �ch�ant, au Conseil de s�curit� de prendre des mesures coercitives � l'encontre d'un Etat qui refuse de se conformer � des demandes pr�sent�es par le Tribunal.

- 3 - Press Release SG/SM/5819 22 November 1995

Par ailleurs, l'Assembl�e g�n�rale a cr��, en 1993, le poste de Haut- Commissaire des Nations Unies aux droits de l'homme afin de promouvoir l'ensemble des r�gles normatives �labor�es pour faire respecter les droits de la personne humaine. Et, r�cemment, des missions sp�ciales des droits de l'homme, au Rwanda et au Burundi, sont venues confirmer la d�termination de la communaut� internationale dans ce domaine.

Mais, il nous faut aller plus avant dans cette voie! Car nous savons tous que certains Etats qui louent en public les r�gles du droit international sont les premiers � refuser de soumettre leurs diff�rends � la Cour internationale de Justice. Tandis que d'autres n'h�sitent pas � braver ouvertement les arr�ts de la Cour en refusant de les ex�cuter.

Il faut donc inlassablement r�p�ter que le droit international ne saurait �tre appliqu� de fa�on s�lective! Il faut donc sans cesse redire que les Etats doivent se conformer aux normes internationales qu'ils souhaitent voir appliqu�es par les autres! Il faut donc, plus que jamais, r�affirmer que la Cour internationale de Justice doit �tre accept�e par tous comme le mode principal de r�glement des diff�rends internationaux!

In the ancient world law came from the law-giver. Solon set down the law of Athens. The law was supposed never to change. Indeed, Solon went into exile so that citizens could not ask him to change the law. In the medieval world, law came from the clergy and was drawn from the divine order. Fundamental law was not to be changed. In the modern era, the foundations of all systems of thought, including law, have come into question. In our era, change is the only constant factor.

Through international law, humanity has an essential mechanism for promoting mutual respect among nations and peoples. It has a clear analytical framework for approaching problems of mutual concern. It has a powerful basis for multilateral action. For the United Nations, international law is a clear and compelling priority. International law must become a true code of conduct for peoples and States. Only then, will the peoples of the world have a secure basis for cooperation. Only then, will we have built a lasting foundation for peace, for development and for enduring human progress.

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