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Pillay calls on all States to pledge to strengthen the rule of law, based on fundamental human rights principles
Human Rights and the Rule of Law
14 September 2012
Ahead of a High-Level meeting in the General Assembly, to be attended by numerous Heads of State and where a Declaration on the rule of law is expected to be adopted, Pillay stressed that the rule of law is the backbone of legal protection of human rights and that core human rights principles of equality, accountability and participation must be highlighted and emphasised. Pillay also highlighted the importance of national ownership of rule of law principles.
“International norms and standards must be the foundation of the rule of law at the national level and States must embrace nationally what they have committed to internationally,” the High Commissioner said.
“The rule of law is premised on equality before the law, equal protection of the law and the prohibition of discrimination on any ground such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,” Pillay added.
“The principle of accountability must also take centre stage in any discussions on the rule of law. Without accountability, human rights are denied, crime flourishes, and impunity persists, undermining the prospects for reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict or gross violations of human rights.”
Pillay said that the Declaration, which is currently being drafted, must clearly recognise the rights of victims in any system of accountability for crimes and violations of human rights.
“States should find ways to effectively meet their obligations to grant remedies and reparations to victims of human rights violations and crimes, with special consideration for groups most affected by these acts and those who have traditionally been excluded from or marginalized in reparations programmes, such as victims of sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.
She also stressed that the rule of law is greatly strengthened when all individuals are empowered to claim their rights, highlighting the important contribution of civil society organisations in ensuring such empowerment.
The High-level Meeting of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York on 24 September 2012. This is the first time that the General Assembly will hold a High-level Meeting exclusively devoted to the rule of law. The High Commissioner will be among the speakers addressing the meeting.
Pillay called on States to use this opportunity to commit to joining and implementing, consistently and fully, all international human rights treaties.
She reminded States of their commitment at the 2005 World Summit, where they undertook to “fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect for and the observance and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all in accordance with the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments relating to human rights and international law.”
To read the full text of a letter sent by the High Commissioner to all UN Member States on the drafting of the Declaration, please click here.
ENDS
For more information about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, go to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/HighCommissioner.aspx
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