联合国文件/第802部分 (共1000部分)

Sixth Committee

Summary record of the 14th meeting

Held at Headquarters, New York, on Thursday, 25 October 2007, at 10 a.m.

Chairman: Mr. Tulbure (Moldova)

Contents

Agenda item 86: The rule of law at the national and international levels

The meeting was called to order at 10.05 a.m.

Agenda item 86: The rule of law at the national and international levels (A/62/121 and Add.1 and A/62/261)

Mr. Sheeran (New Zealand), speaking on behalf of the CANZ group of countries (Canada, Australia and New Zealand), said that the rule of law at both the national and the international levels was essential to lasting peace and security, the realization of sustainable development and economic growth and the promotion of human rights, accountability and democracy, which were central concerns of the Charter of the United Nations.

It was therefore the common responsibility of Member States to support the United Nations work to promote the rule of law.

The establishment of the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group and the Rule of Law Assistance Unit was welcome.

While it was a challenge to harmonize the activities of the various players, the proposal to give priority to devising a single work plan for the rule of law, which would cover the whole of the United Nations system, would help to avoid duplication, promote synergy and coherence and maximize the impact of United Nations resources.

The goal of developing common policies and strategies, in particular through the drawing up of a guidance note on the rule of law, and of intensifying cooperation between the United Nations and other relevant organizations and donors was likewise commendable.

Consequently, the CANZ group of countries called upon the Secretary-General and Member States to provide the assistance and support required in order to ensure the Unit's sustainability.

It would be useful for the Sixth Committee to receive a regular report from the Secretary-General on its progress.

In order to avoid the duplication of work being done on the rule of law in other United Nations forums, it would be advisable for the Sixth Committee to centre its discussions on one or two sub-topics with a practical and action-oriented focus.

It would therefore be wise for the Committee to consider a sub-topic on strengthening international criminal justice at the international and national levels, especially in view of the “residual” or “legacy” issues which were arising as the international and hybrid criminal courts and tribunals completed their docket.

As the topic of international criminal justice was broad-ranging, a more focused approach would ensure that a useful outcome was achieved.

He welcomed the joint report of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on the residual functions of ad hoc tribunals, which provided a good starting point for the consideration of those issues which also had implications for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

Furthermore that work would be of relevance to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

More attention should be devoted to the response of the United Nations with regard to the responsibilities that would continue after those judicial bodies were wound up; as one of the ad hoc tribunals might close in 2009, much of the good work done would be undermined if those matters were not addressed promptly.

Another sub-topic which would be worth examining was that of technical assistance and capacity-building, because the continual development and large volume of international law presented a real challenge for many developing countries.

The Rule of Law Assistance Unit could play a key role in improving the delivery of technical assistance and capacity-building in fields such as the implementation of international treaties and other obligations and the drafting of legislation and model laws.

That role would fit in with the Unit's proposed workplan and modest resources.