Pakistan urges uniform implementation of UN resolutions to promote rule of law as driver of peace

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has underscored the need for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on international disputes with uniformity to promote rule of law that would usher in peace and stability in the world.

"Long-standing disputes and situations must be resolved in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions," Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, told the General Assembly's Sixth (Legal) Committee on Thursday.

"Failure to implement such resolutions undermines the credibility of the international rule of law," the Pakistani envoy said in a debate on establishing rule of law.

"Frequent recourse should be made to a peaceful settlement of disputes by using various tools available under Chapter VI (pacific settlement of disputes); International judicial institutions should be strengthened; and the Security Council should make optimum use of the International Court of Justice."

Ambassador Masood Khan said the Security Council should set an example in the efforts to promote rule of law. "Its (Council's) resolutions, under Chapters VI and VII (specific powers granted by the Charter to the Council to establish peace), must be implemented with uniformity; and must conform to the purposes and principles of the Charter ..." The use of force should be consistent with the Charter's principles relating to collective security, the Pakistani envoy said, adding that Chapter VII should be used as a last resort.

"Respect and adherence to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter - sovereign equality of states, the pacific settlement of disputes, refraining in international relations from the threat or use of force, non-interference in the internal affairs, and the right to self-determination - would strengthen the rule of law at the international level as a (basic) norm."

On national level, he said Pakistan's priorities on the rule of law and access to justice included speedy and inexpensive justice, culture of accountability, and elimination of corruption.

"We have made efforts to make our judicial system more accessible and responsive," the envoy said.

"We especially focus on developing new laws, strengthening and expanding the network of judicial institutions, increasing the number of judicial officers and building the capacity of police, prosecutors and judges," he said.

"We are also striving to make justice accessible to the most vulnerable and marginalized segments in society. In partnership with the UNDP, a programme on the Rule of Law and Legal Empowerment of Poor has been implemented in 16 districts of Pakistan. The programme improved provision of the legal aid to the poor by establishing legal aid centers and clinics in villages. It also helped train more than 600 paralegal aids and enhance awareness of laws and rights among the poor.

"We are also working in six districts on the Case-Flow management techniques to expedite the processing of cases by judges. By ensuring rapid case disposal, judges in these districts were able to process 25% more cases.

"For access to justice and judicial institutions, citizens need to have awareness of their rights and the laws to protect them; and they should have a high degree of confidence that the judicial system is independent and fair. Because of a series of measures taken over the years, we now have an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant civil society, who continue to create such awareness among citizenry."

To attack corruption, he said, the Pakistan government was evolving a transparent, rule-based and merit-driven system. "Discretionary powers are being gradually pared back to make institutions responsive to the rule of law."