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17 NOVEMBER 1999

The General Assembly’s commemorative meeting to mark the end of the United Nations Decade of International Law (1990-1999) is under way. Two meetings are planned to hear 32 speakers. Among the participants are 18 Ministers of Justice, all of them women.

Opening the special meeting, Assembly President Theo-Ben Gurirab said the Decade had significantly contributed to the promotion of and respect for international law worldwide. The United Nations continued to be a unique and indispensable universal instrument for survival of humankind and our common development and progress. Such a role was unattainable without proper international regulation and management by the established legal bodies. Solving global problems, or facing emerging challenges, was hardly possible without effective legal regulation on a global scale. That was why important legal bodies needed further strengthening. "As the world moves towards the twenty-first century, we also need system-wide expert analysis, modification and elaboration of appropriate legal concepts and principles, as well as their accompanying normative and institutional mechanisms". Copies of the statement are available in room 378.

In his message to the Assembly, read out by the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel, Mr. Hans Corell, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that perhaps the most important example of the Decade’s achievements was the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Its establishment would constitute a giant step in the development of an effective system of enforcement of international law and combating the most heinous crimes known to mankind. Notwithstanding the achievements of the Decade, there was little reason for euphoria, he said. International and national conflicts were still a part of life today, and international law had an important role to play in meeting these challenges and in making our planet a better place to live. As the Decade comes to an end, the Secretary-General said, it was clear that the role of international law was greater than ever. Not only must it regulate relations between States. In keeping with the highest principles of the Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law must also serve as the ultimate defence of the weakest and most vulnerable individuals within States against violence and tyranny. Copies of that message are available in the Spokesman’s Office.

After hearing the remaining statements this afternoon, the Assembly will take action on two draft resolutions contained in the report of the Sixth Committee (Legal) (A/54/609). The first text, on the outcome of the action dedicated to the 1999 centennial of the first International Peace Conference, would have the Assembly commend all who, through their efforts, wisdom and expertise, contributed to the success of the celebration of the centennial. By adopting the second draft, on the United Nations Decade of International Law, the Assembly would acknowledge that the Decade has contributed significantly to strengthening the rule of international law and reaffirm the continued validity of its main objectives, the fulfilment of which is essential to achieve the purposes of the United Nations. A report of the Secretary-General (A/54/362 and Add.1) on the Decade contains an analytical presentation of information received from States and international organizations on activities they had undertaken in connection with the Decade.

Tomorrow, the Assembly takes up two items: the situation in Central America, and the University for Peace.

Only two Committees are holding open meetings today. This morning, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) is concluding its discussion of refugee questions. In the afternoon, 10 draft texts will be introduced, relating to the advancement of women, the report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, human rights questions and situations. The Committee will take action on three texts dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice (A/C.3/54/L.4, L.21/Rev.1 and L.22/Rev.1); one on enlargement of the Executive Committee of UNHCR (A/C.3/54/L.57); five drafts on human rights questions, dealing with: human rights and cultural diversity (A/C.3/54/L.62), United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995-2004, and public information activities in the field of human rights (A/C.3/54/L.64), effective promotion of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (A/C.3/54/L.65), human rights in the administration of justice (A/C.3/54/L.66), protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons (A/C.3/54/L.68), the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (A/C.3/54/L.69); and one text on human rights situations, namely, the question of human rights in Afghanistan (A/C.3/54/L.58).

For correspondents who’ve been asking about the draft resolution on the death penalty, I’ve been told that at this afternoon’s meeting, the Committee Chairman will report on the status of the negotiations on draft resolution A/C.3/54/L.8/Rev.1.

At an afternoon meeting, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) will continue its discussion of questions relating to information.

As to the appointments of the President, he is presiding over both plenary meetings today; he will attend a luncheon hosted by The Hague Appeal for Peace, to mark the end of the Decade of International Law; and this evening, he is expected to attend the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize Award Ceremony and Dinner.

Finally, a reminder that tomorrow, the Fourth Annual World Television Forum will begin here in Conference Room 4. This year’s theme is "The impact of television on peace and development". Assembly President Gurirab will make an opening statement. This will be followed, at 10:30 a.m., by the keynote event, a dialogue between Secretary-General Kofi Annan and television personalities on the subject of "Television and the United Nations".