10 October 2016: The UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) discussed the relationship between disarmament and development as part of its general debate for the 71st session. Speakers called for redirecting money spent on militaries and weapons to fighting poverty, tackling climate change and addressing sustainable development and the refugee crisis. In the Assembly’s Sixth Committee (Legal), governments discussed the rule of law as an enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and as a goal in and of itself, during a debate on ‘Rule of law at the national and international levels.’
SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
The First Committee’s general debate convened on 7 October and 10 October 2016, in New York, US. Countries highlighted stable, inclusive global economic and social development as essential to maintaining international peace and security (Eritrea), and stressed the relationship between peaceful, secure environments and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Jamaica). Sudan noted the role of natural resource depletion in contributing to conflicts, including over pasture land and water resources, while Kenya called for freeing up resources from military spending to address inequality, climate change and the refugee crisis. Speakers further highlighted the First Committee’s role in achieving global goals. Ireland underscored the Committee’s role in attaining the SDGs, underscoring the importance of addressing gender parity and inclusivity in humanitarian responses.
The Sixth Committee took up the rule of law topic in a discussion on 6 October. UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson welcomed the inclusion of the rule of law in SDG 16 and called for Member States to ensure that the rule of law is included in efforts to achieve the SDGs. He said promoting the rule of law is a critical area for cooperation and breaking down silos, and highlighted the work of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections in post-conflict and other crisis situations as helping to improve UN Headquarters’ response to requests for assistance on the rule of law.
Denmark, speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries, said the rule of law is a principle of good governance and also the means to achieve peace, equality and development. He observed that societies that respect the rule of law and an independent judiciary are able to ensure justice and accountability, and are better able to protect their citizens and provide them services. The Dominican Republic, for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), said the rule of law is essential for achieving sustained and inclusive growth, and justice for all is key to overcoming exclusion, particularly for vulnerable populations. The EU recalled a high-level thematic debate of the UNGA that highlighted the rule of law, access to justice and good governance as essential tools for protecting human rights. The EU and Norway, for the Nordic countries, identified access to justice for women as critical in achieving gender equality.
South Africa for the African Group welcomed the inclusion of access to justice in the SDGs, and urged creation of meaningful and effective indicators. Trinidad and Tobago, for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), urged implementing SDG 16, particularly on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. Liechtenstein welcomed the 2030 Agenda’s recognition of the rule of law as both an enabler and an outcome of sustainable development. Brazil said the principle of the rule of law should encompass social inclusion through legal empowerment.
Switzerland addressed the issue of transitional justice, recommending a holistic approach that includes the rights to truth, justice and reparation and the guarantee of non-recurrence. Countries also observed: the lack of a single, agreed definition of “rule of law” (India, Iran), which Iran said must be taken into account in data collection and reports; that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to rule of law (the Russian Federation).
On national examples, Myanmar highlighted the establishment of community fora and law centers around his country to enhance awareness of democratic legal systems. Senegal shared its “proximity justice” system, which aims to provide access to justice in remote areas with different languages through small, community-level law clinics and mediation. Kenya highlighted the role of capacity building in promoting the rule of law. Indonesia, Georgia, Costa Rica and others also shared examples of ensuring access to justice. [UN Press Release on First Committee Debate Opening] [UN Press Release on First Committee Debate Closing] [UN Press Release on Sixth Committee Debate Day 1] [UN Press Release on Sixth Committee Debate Day 2] [UN Deputy Secretary-General Statement]