United nations: United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres stressed on Friday that respect for rulings of the International Court of Justice is not optional, but binding under the United Nations Charter.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, in his speech before the ICJ marking 80 years since its establishment, Guterres stated that the Court remains a guarantor of sovereignty and equality, emphasizing that overwhelming strength should not replace legal obligations. He highlighted the importance of the force of law prevailing over the law of force, urging the need to uphold international law and ensure compliance with its rulings.
Guterres raised concerns about the increasing violations of international law and the erosion of trust in international institutions. He noted that military operations often disregard basic conflict rules, and humanitarian obligations are frequently ignored. He emphasized that international law violations are occurring visibly and that institutions like the ICJ are facing growing challenges.
He warned that this erosion is occurring at the core of the international system, including by states with responsibilities for maintaining international peace and security. This situation, he cautioned, could lead to instability if the law of force supersedes the force of law.
In his remarks, Guterres highlighted the critical juncture the world faces, urging a choice between a future guided by the rule of law or by the logic of force. He called on countries to fortify international law, commit to peaceful dispute resolution, respect ICJ judgments, adhere to its advisory opinions, and uphold the UN Charter.
