Statement by Dr A.K. Abdul Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the Open Debate at the Security Council on the subject “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security” , New York, 19 January 2012

Statement by Dr A.K. Abdul Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations at the Open Debate at the Security Council on the subject “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security” , New York, 19 January 2012

 

Mr. President,

I thank South Africa for chairing the Security Council for the month of January, 2012 and scheduling this open debate on “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security”. I convey my sincere thanks to the Secretary General for his statement on this issue. Allow me to express my appreciation to other distinguished speakers who spoke today on it.

 

Mr. President,

 

Since the Security Council held its last open debate on Rule of Law in June 2010, there have been some important developments. We welcome the Secretary-General‟s latest report on rule of law (S/2011/634). A noticeable development is the establishment of the international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals. The forthcoming High-level Event on the Rule of Law, to be held during the sixty-seventh session in 2012, will be an opportunity for member states to renew the commitment to the universal adherence to and implementation of the rule of law at both the national and international levels and to take stock of progress.

 

Some challenges lie ahead in promoting and strengthening the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security. One of these is to address new threats to peace and security, for example piracy, in the framework of the rule of law and justice. Apart from this, to support and strengthen national rule of law and transitional justice within its mandates is a critical issue. It is necessary that the global community increasingly becomes more mindful to adhere to the principle of non-violability of their sovereign rights and selective application of rule of law. Last year, the UN observed the 25th anniversary of “Right to Development as a Human Right” and may we appeal the global community to help nations to achieve this objective.

 

Mr. President,

 

My delegation believes that in order to ensure a world order based on rule of law, measures must be taken to ensure better implementation of international law, notably through technical assistance and national capacity-building. The United Nations should increase the efficiency of such assistance, expand it to broader areas of international law and focus on the specific needs of Member States. Measures should be taken to support institutional development for the promotion of rule of law and encourage more States to become parties to international instruments.

 

Mr. President,

 

The rule of law is a basic feature of the constitution of Bangladesh. Article 27 guarantees that all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. Article 31 guarantees that to enjoy the protection of the law, and to be treated in accordance with law, is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being with in Bangladesh, and in particular no action detrimental to the life, liberty, body, reputation or property of any person shall be taken except in accordance with Law. All these provisions of constitution are effective for ensuring rule of law in Bangladesh.

 

Mr. President,

 

At the national level, Bangladesh is actively promoting the rule of law and justice in all spheres of life, in particular through administrative, judicial and electoral reforms. The Government of Bangladesh separated the judiciary from the executive branch of government and it strengthened the Anti-Corruption Commission, which functions as an independent watchdog. In addition, the Government also established a Human Rights Commission, thereby ensuring that international standards of human rights and personal freedom are maintained in the country. Good news is that last year it co-organized multiple workshops throughout the country with assistance from UNDP on issues like protecting „peoples’ economic, social and cultural rights‟, rights of migrant workers, women`s rights and violation against women etc, and all these were successful in creating mass awareness of these issues. Besides these, Bangladesh is mindful of the importance of developing accountable and coherent law-enforcement institutions operating within the framework of international legal norms. In conclusion, may I add that in the area of peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and engagement, we should further strengthen the rule of law and system-wide coherence in all aspects.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.