UN Security Council hearing urges renewed commitment to rule of law and accountability
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Summary
Speakers at the United Nations Security Council urged member states to honor their obligations under the UN Charter, use the Charter’s dispute-settlement tools and strengthen independent judicial processes, warning that words like the 2024 'pact for the future' must be matched by action.
Unidentified Speaker, a delegate, told the United Nations Security Council that the rule of law is "the beating heart of the United Nations Charter" and warned that "words are not being matched with action," citing a 2024 pact for the future intended to reinforce international obligations.
The address cataloged international legal instruments — including the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions — and argued these undergird a collective security system that forbids the threat or use of force and binds all states to equal rules. The speaker said violations such as the illegal use of force, attacks on civilian infrastructure and denial of humanitarian aid are eroding trust and encouraging further violations.
The speaker outlined three priority areas for member states and the council. First, countries must keep their promises and uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter to preserve trust among states. Second, member states should make full use of dispute-settlement mechanisms set out in the Charter, including Article 36, and strengthen partnerships with regional organizations under Chapter VIII; the speech cited "Security Council resolution 27 19" as an example of predictable financing for African Union peace support operations.
Secretary-General spoke as well, urging wider acceptance of the International Court of Justice’s compulsory jurisdiction and emphasizing the need for independent judicial proceedings. "There can be no sustainable or just peace without accountability," the Secretary-General said, adding that the International Criminal Court must be able to operate independently.
The remarks closed with a call for Security Council reform to enhance representation and effectiveness and a pledge of continuing support from United Nations envoys and mediators to advance the rule of law and build a more stable world. There were no recorded motions or votes during the portion of the session covered by the transcript.
The council's next procedural steps, including any proposed reforms or formal actions in response to these appeals, were not specified in the transcript.