FOCUS ON THE RULE OF LAW AT THE UN

International consensus is deepening on the key contribution of the rule of law to peace building and development. Justice and rights are becoming increasingly the language of the international community.

As discussions to shape the post-2015 agenda progress, the rule of law is increasingly being acknowledged as essential to promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development.

"OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE MANY COMPLEX POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS BEFORE US MUST BE GUIDED BY THE RULE OF LAW, AS IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF FRIENDLY AND EQUITABLE RELATIONS BETWEEN STATES AND THE BASIS ON WHICH JUST AND FAIR SOCIETIES ARE BUILT."

Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels, November 2012

"My hope is that ultimately the new [post-2015 development] agenda will recognize, as our Leaders have in the Declaration, that the advancement of the rule of law at the national and international levels is essential for sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and hunger, and the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development."

President of the 68th session of the UNGA, Mr. J. Ashe 6th Committee, New York, September 2013

“WE REAFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, GOOD GOVERNANCE, THE RULE OF LAW, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT ALL LEVELS.”

Outcome document of the special event to follow up efforts made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals

"WITH DEVELOPMENT AND LAW EMBEDDED SIDE BY SIDE IN OUR VERY NAME, WE SEE THE RULE OF LAW AS AN ESSENTIAL AND ENABLING FRAMEWORK FOR EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES IN WHICH EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAD A DECENT LIFE FREE FROM FEAR AND WANT. THE CHALLENGE TO WHICH WE MUST ALL RISE IS TO CREATE A CULTURE OF JUSTICE."

IDLO Director-General Irene Khan, Intervention at the High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, September 2012

"Challenges of environmental degradation, rapid urbanization, conflict, fragility, severe income inequalities and social exclusion will only be properly met if sustainable development goals are framed by the rule of law and a culture of justice attuned to cultural values, norms and perspectives."

IDLO Director-General Irene Khan, Statment at the Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC, July 2013

"The past year was a landmark year for the promotion of justice and international law. The declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly [2012], adopted in September 2012, affirmed that rule of law means that all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the state itself, are accountable to just, fair and equitable laws and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law."

UN Secretary General's Report on the Work of the UN 2013

“The Security Council remains fully committed to contributing its share in strengthening the rule of law at both the national and international levels. Both are inherently linked, for every nation that proclaims the rule of law at home must respect it abroad, and every nation that insists on it abroad must enforce it at home.”

President of the Security Council, Mr. Guido Westerwelle High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, New York,

24 September 2012

“THE RULE OF LAW IS ABOUT SUBSTANTIVE JUSTICE AS WELL AS PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS. IT HELPS TO CREATE MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES IN WHICH THERE IS GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AND WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAD A DECENT LIFE FREE FROM FEAR AND WANT.”

IDLO Strategic Plan 2013-2016

“The linkage between the rule of law and human r ights is clear and undeniable. So too are the links between the rule of law and the development of robust, transparent and durable democratic institutions.”

USA+

Our task is to ensure the foundations that have e n a b l e d [e c o n o m i c ]   g r o w t h , n a m e l y : strengthening democracy, institutions, the rule of law, security, building citizenship, and opening spaces of participation.”

Peru*

“The rule of law is best respected when people are empowered to voice their rights.”

Tunisia+

"The rule of law is essential for a world of justice and peace, the only guarantee of harmonious and sustainable development."

Senegal+

“Peace, security and the rule of law constitute a fourth vital element of sustainable development.”

The Netherlands*

“Implementing the rule of law constitutes the essence of … work for the progressive development and codification of international law.”

Italy+

“The principles of the rule of law are human rights, independence, justice, and access to justice for all.“

France>

“Paraguay encourages peace, dialogue and harmonious global development, along with integration that is respectful of the rule of law, national dignity and asymmetries.”

Paraguay*

What IDLO Member Parties said on the Rule of Law at the UN General Assembly

* General Debate, 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly+ Sixth Committee, 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly> High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

“The rule of law is the common goal pursued by states.”

China,+

“[Human rights and fundamental freedoms] must be underpinned by robust and independent legal systems to enforce economic, social and political rights.”

Australia*

“The rule of law and development are intrinsically interrelated and mutually reinforcing.”

Mozambique+

“The rule of law is the bedrock of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in any society.”

Kenya+

“We also need to recognize the close relationship between the rule of law and sustained and inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, equitable development, employment, eradication of poverty and hunger.”

Turkey+

“We reaffirmed that the rule of law is a core principle, by which a stable and prosperous international landscape will be realized.”

Afghanistan+

“Achieving sustainable development requires an enabling environment of peace, security and the rule of law.”

Philippines+

“The rule of law is critical for peace, security, human rights and development, and represents an important end in itself. Without the rule of law, states can neither realize positive policies, nor individuals enjoy their most basic rights.”

Sweden, on behalf of the Nordic Countries+

“The SDGs should address, as cross-cutting issues, the perspective of human rights, peace and security, good governance, gender equality, rule of law and equity. “

Romania*

“Only an international system based on the rule of law can lead to lasting peace and security, economic development and social progress.”

Austria*

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WHAT IDLO DID AT THE UN IN 2013

ACTIVITIES IN 2013:

"The new development framework must be based on a clear commitment to human rights and the rule of law. We cannot fight poverty or promote sustainable development or inclusive economies when justice and accountability systems do not properly function."

IDLO Statement at the Special Event on Follow-Up Efforts made towards Achieving the MDGs

"Global trends reinforce the rule of law as a fundamental building block for peace, security, human rights and development, and as such, the rule of law is a critical contributor to international and national efforts to build a safer, fairer world."

IDLO Statement at the Sixth committee of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly

"Good rule of law frameworks based on participatory approaches can be powerful enablers of rights for persons with disabilities, for example through the use of legal empowerment techniques, legal education and legal awareness."

IDLO Statement on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and Inclusiveness for Persons with Disabilities

"Human rights are universal and inherent, irrespective of migratory status. Respect for human rights and the rule of law can lead to better and more sustainable development outcomes for all, including migrants."

IDLO Statement at the High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development

February 2013: IDLO launched a report, Accessing Justice: Models, Strategies and Best Practices on Women's Empowerment during the High Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council.

April 2013: IDLO's Director-General addressed the Roundtable discussion on "Measuring the Effectiveness of Rule of Law" at the UN Headquarters.

July 2013: IDLO hosted a Ministerial Breakfast on “Sharing the benefits of science, technology and innovation: the role of justice and the role of law in the Post-2015 Development Agenda” at the Annual Ministerial Review of ECOSOC in Geneva.

September 2013: IDLO's Director-General participated in a side event at the UN Human Rights Council High Level Dialogue on Elimination of Inequalities in the post-2015 development agenda on equalities, and delivered a statement on the rights of indigenous peoples.

September 2013: An IDLO delegation, led by the Director-General, addressed the 68th session of the UN General Assembly and its special events.

October 2013: IDLO addressed the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly.