Statement by Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the UN, New York, at the Substantive Session of the Sixth Committee of the 6 8th UNGA on “The rule of law at the national and international levels” [agenda item 85]
New York, October 10, 201 3
Mr. Chairman,
My Delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered on be half of the Non Aligned Movement and the OIC respectively. We also wish to thank the Secretary General for his annual report on strengthening and coordinating United Nation s rule of law activities.
We believe that the establishment of rule of law both at the national an international levels constitutes one of the core values and principles of the UN. Through the universal standard-setting power of the General Assembly, the enforcement power of the Security Council, and the judicial power of the Internati onal Court of Justice, the UN plays a vital role to promote and enhance the rule of law at the global level. We believe that the corpus of international law developed at the United Nations provide the normative framework for promoting and preserving peacef ul and friendly relations among nations, and therefore they must be observed by all States, great and small, rich and poor alike. We recall here the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the rule of law at the national and international levels, held in September 2012, which affirmed the centrality of rule of law as the foundation of equitable State relations and the basis upon which just and fair societies are built.
Mr. Chairman,
To have a just world order based on the rule of law, all nations must respect international legal systems, multilateral treaties, and support fair and just application of customary international law in the multilateral decision making process. Greater voice and representation of developing and least developed countries in the multilateral system across the board remain absolutely crucial to ensure the principles of equity, transparency and democracy at the international level. This would be even more critical as we embark on a two year journey to arrive at a consensus on the form and
substance of the post-2015 development agenda. We must demonstrate an unwavering faith in the rule of law to achieve some of our pressing outstanding tasks concerning a meaningful reform of the global financial architecture, a rule -based development-centric multilateral trading system, an equitable and responsible legal regime to address climate change, and a balanced and right-based approach to address the emerging
challenges of population dynamics as a key driver of sustainable development.
Mr. Chairman,
Bangladesh believes in peace and justice within the state, and state to state relations. As the world’s eighth largest democracy, Bangladesh firmly believes that the rule of law is a necessary pre-condition for sustainable peace and development in any society. At the national level, we are committed to and steadfastly working towards the promotion of rule of law and justice in all spheres of lives. During the past few years, the present Government has undertaken much needed reforms in the fields of administration, judiciary and electoral systems in Bangladesh. One important reform is the effective separation of judiciary from the executive organ of the Government. The Government has also strengthened the Anti-Corruption Commission enabling this independent constitutional body to act as the watchdog against all types of institutional and personal corruption. The present Government has also established a Human Rights Commission to safeguard rights of all citizens and to ensure that the internat ional standard of human rights and personal freedom are protected in the country. Measures have also been taken to make sure that law enforcing institutions operate with accountability and work within the framework of international legal norms and principles.
Mr. Chairman,
Bangladesh is a staunch supporter of resolution of conflicts through peaceful, non-military means. Peace in our world today is threatened among others by civil wars, people’s uprisings, religious intolerance, transnational crimes, terrorism, piracy, climate change impacts, financial and energy crises. This has enhanced more than ever the need to reaffirm our faith in the just, equitable and fair application of international law, the UN Charter and its principles of justice and internatio nal law, and on the statute of the International Court of Justice for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mr. Chairman,
We fully support efforts to uphold the sovereign equality of all States, to respect their territorial integrity and political indep endence, to refrain from the threat or use of force in a manner inconsistent with the United Nations Charter, and to uphold the peaceful resolution of disputes, in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Given the strong interrela tionship between the rule of law and development, advancing the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, and that interrelationship should be considered and enshrined in the post-2015 international development agenda.
I thank you Mr. Chairman