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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has urged countries to adhere to international law.
Guterres, while delivering a speech during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, warned that international law was falling apart before the world’s eyes.
“When the law of force replaces the force of law, instability becomes contagious, conflicts spill across borders, economic shocks reverberate around the world, and the most vulnerable always suffer first and suffer most,” said Guterres.
”Excellencies, today we face our own moment of crisis and our own moment of choice, a choice between a future governed by the rule of law or a future driven by raw power. The choice is clear. It is precisely because the international system is under such strain that adherence to international law matters more than ever,” he added.
He added that adherence to the ICJ’s decisions is not optional and is binding on the parties to a case. Guterres decried the violation of international law by countries which ignore humanitarian obligations and trample on the rules that govern conflict.
“The rules of international law that protect the United Nations itself are violated. The institutions created to provide justice – this one and others – are increasingly questioned and challenged,” the UN chief added.
“And this erosion is not happening at the margins of the international system. It is happening at its core – including by States entrusted with unique responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
His warning about violations of international law comes at a time when the global system is swamped by conflicts and the world order is under strain.
In Europe, Russia continues to attack Ukraine, breaching an order from the ICJ. In the Middle East, Israel is attacking Gaza and the West Bank in Palestine, and Iran is launching reprisal attacks against its neighbours in the Middle East.
