A growing number of global disasters and humanitarian crises have prompted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to warn that a “reign of lawlessness” is taking hold in “every region of the world”.
Addressing members of the UN Security Council – where Russia sits as a permanent member – on Thursday, Guterres reminded the body that it has a “vital role in upholding” the rule of law.
“From the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law is all that stands between peace and stability and the brutal struggle for power and resources,” he said. “The international situation shows that we still have a long way to go.
“We are in great danger of the rule of lawlessness,” warned Guterres.
Ukrainian soldiers in a trench on the Vuhledar battlefield in the Donetsk region, January 5, 2023.
(Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
EU LEGISLATORS AGREE WITH PLANS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION AFTER MAJOR SCANDAL
The UN chief cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent brutal war that lasted nearly 11 months as his first example of a “state [that] they continue to violate international law with impunity.”
The war caused the biggest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II and had global consequences as energy and food shortages were felt around the world.
He called the war a “human rights catastrophe” and said it not only “traumatized a generation of children” and contributed to world shortages, but also violated international laws and UN charters that Russia, along with its fellow Council members, is committed to respecting.
However, Russia was not the only country on Guterres’ hand.
“2022 was a deadly year for both Palestinians and Israelis,” he said.
Palestinians shoot fireworks at Israeli police in Jerusalem’s Old City, Sunday, April 17, 2022. Israeli police clashed with Palestinians outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque after police released Palestinians from the sprawling compound to facilitate a routine Jewish visit to the holy site and accused Palestinians of piling stones expecting violence.
(AP)
RUSSIA MOVES AIR SPECIAL FORCES TO DONBAS AS Kyiv WARNS OF ‘DECISIVE’ FIGHT
Guterres condemned the “unlawful killings and actions of extremists” but also noted that Israel “causes anger and despair” by expanding settlements that violate UN charters defined by pre-1967 borders.
He also said he was “very concerned” about unilateral initiatives launched in recent days by the new administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which again threaten the two-state solution and further violate international law.
“Unconstitutional changes in government – coups – are unfortunately back in fashion,” the UN chief said.
Guterres pointed to coups in Africa’s Sahel region, the Taliban’s openly oppressive policies against women, the breakdown of the rule of law in Myanmar after a 2021 military coup, and North Korea’s open violation of international law in its missile and nuclear development.
Taliban fighters escort women marching in support of the Taliban government outside Kabul University, Afghanistan.
(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The UN leader called on all 193 member states to support the “vision and values” as defined by the policies of the UN Charter created after World War II and defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“When the rule of law is weak, impunity prevails, organized crime flourishes and there is a high risk of violent conflict,” he said, calling on all nations to work toward democratic policies and adhere to the rule of law as defined by international charters.