International law
Rule of law, ICJ and ICC at UNGA 81
Raised by 185 of 223 speakers. Read verbatim UN transcript quotes and select a time to hear the speech.
Speeches that raised rule of law, icj and icc
Iceland · Day 5Thorgerdur Katrín GunnarsdóttirUN peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations have helped prevent and contain conflict around the world.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights transformed our understanding of human dignity.
The Convention on the Law of the Sea became the constitution of the ocean, on which countries like mine depend, now strengthened further by the BBNDJ agreement.
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San Marino · Day 5Luca BeccariWe are witnessing violation of international law, humanitarian and human rights law.
At such a moment, the answer cannot be less multilateralism.
It must be more.
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Singapore · Day 5Vivian BalakrishnanWith the ITU, our telecommunications networks and the internet continues to operate safely, smoothly on a planetary scale.
The question is therefore not whether we need multilateralism, but how to make it fit for purpose.
And I suggest three priorities.
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Brunei Darussalam · Day 5Prince 'Abdul MateenIt cannot mean one thing in one crisis and something different in another.
Its principles must be upheld consistently if this organization is to retain its legitimacy and credibility.
Few issues demonstrate this more painfully than the question of Palestine.
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Cuba · Day 5Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez ParrillaThe fundamental pillars of international law and the United Nations Organization, such as the sovereign equality among states, under permanent attack.
The genocidal crime of Zionism against the Palestinian people, the pirate attacks against vessels, and the extrajudicial executions in the Caribbean Sea and some areas in the Pacific, the military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran are new expressions of this atrocity.
They are also a reflection of the crisis of identity and relevance imposed on the United Nations Organization and even on this General Assembly, the most universal, democratic and representative body of the international community.
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Tunisia · Day 5Mohamed Ali NaftiA genuine commitment and a meaningful reform process.
First, there must be a sincere determination and responsible commitment by all states to respect international law founded on agreements and the principle of sovereign equality among states, and to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, particularly refraining from the use of force, the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, and fulfilling international obligations in good faith.
Second, the United Nations must embark on a comprehensive and profound reform process that responds to the transformations that have taken place in the world.
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Indonesia · Day 5SugionoIndonesia is one nation.
We also continue to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights through our national mechanisms and our commitment to international human rights obligations.
This goes hand in hand with building our national resilience, because human rights are not only the absence of violence, They are also about ensuring that people have food, education, and healthcare.
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Philippines · Day 5Ma. Theresa Lazarothe protection of civilians, the release of all hostages, and full compliance by all parties with international law, including international humanitarian law.
We urge all relevant parties to de-escalate, exercise restraint, and return to the path of dialogue.
The Philippines reaffirms its consistent and principled support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
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Germany · Day 5Johann WadephulBut today, the United Nations itself is under pressure.
There are great powers that believe that they fare better if they ignore the rules enshrined in the UN Charter.
The erosion of international law jeopardizes the enormous civilizational progress that the United Nations stand for.
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Belarus · Day 5Maxim RyzhenkovIf we truly want to restore trust, we must not hide behind diplomatic niceties, but honestly identify the causes of crises.
In 1945 in San Francisco at the UN founding conference, US President Harry Truman spoke words that today sound like a prophecy.
No matter how great our strength, we must deny ourselves the license to do always as we please.
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- Guatemala · Day 5
In that framework, we have submitted territorial claim against Belize to the ICJ.
Guatemala categorically rejects the serious accusation that a plane of the Guatemalan Air Force overflew the territory of Belize.
This flight never happened.
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China · Day 5Han ZhengThe international system centered on the UN and the international order underpinned by international law that emerged after World War II must be upheld.
We should turn into action the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security and reject the Cold War mindset and bloc confrontation.
We should settle differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, and oppose unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter and circumvent Security Council authorization.
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Cabo Verde · Day 5Francisco Avelino Vieira de CarvalhoIn this spirit, Cabo Verde reaffirms its faith in the United States in dialogue among nations.
in cooperation among peoples and in the primacy of law over the use of force.
In the face of wars, inequalities, and crisis confronting our world, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, to the protection of civilian populations, and to the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
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Cambodia · Day 5Sokhonn PrakIt is earned through consistency.
When commitments are honored, international law is respected, disputes are settled by peaceful means, sovereign equality must remain a principle fundamental principle of international relation.
The Charter does not prescribe one standard for the powerful and another for the less powerful.
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Russian Federation · Day 5Sergey LavrovAnd this despite the fact that international law clearly states that the highest ranking public officials of any state should enjoy immunities.
We insist that the Venezuelan leader and his spouse be liberated immediately and that such excesses do not come to be repeated.
It is unacceptable the fact that force was used to kill the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, members of the military and political leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Saudi Arabia · Day 5Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al SaudAs such, we would enhance confidence and safeguard regional and international security.
The continued suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the targeting of civilians by Israeli occupation, the obstruction of humanitarian assistance, attempts at forced displacement, and the continued expansion of illegal settlements all constitute serious violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
The Kingdom rejects any attempts at forced displacement or changing the status quo of the Palestinian territories.
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India · Day 5Subrahmanyam JaishankarIndian seafarers have lost their lives, as indeed have others from other nations.
This is completely unacceptable.
India has joined Liberia and 23 other partners in an initiative to rally global public opinion against such unwarranted targeting.
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Malaysia · Day 5Mohamad Haji HasanTrust can only be restored through concrete action.
When international law means what it says, and when the people of the world can look to this hall and believe that their voices still matter.
Mr. President, we must remember that the UN is not merely here for the aftermath of war, but to prevent war from taking place.
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Canada · Day 5Anita AnandCanada's candidacy for the Human Rights Council for 2028 to 2030 bears witness to our values and to the nations represented here.
We would be honored to be able to count on your support.
The rule of law is one of the pillars of our society in Canada.
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Jamaica · Day 5Kamina Johnson SmithWe call for continued dialogue and constructive engagement.
Mr. President, Jamaica also remains deeply concerned by the terrible human cost of armed conflicts across the world.
Wherever conflict occurs, our principles must remain consistent.
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Holy See · Day 5Cardinal Pietro ParolinFirst of all, systems used in war setting must guarantee the possibility of retracing and reconstructing decision-making processes.
so that accountability and blame are not collapsed into the machine.
Second, the decision to use a little force cannot be delegated to opaque or automated processes, but must remain under effective, self-aware and responsible human control.
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Lao People’s Democratic Republic · Day 5Thongsavanh PhomvihaneIn the same vein, the Lao PDR reiterates its principle position against unilateral, coercive measures.
The prolonged economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Republic of Cuba continue to inflict hardship on its people.
We call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of these sanctions, including logistic and energy blockades and removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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Tajikistan · Day 5Sirojiddin MuhriddinIt is also why we place growing emphasis on legal literacy.
In 2025, the General Assembly proclaimed 2027 as the International Year of Legal Literacy, following an initiative of Tajikistan.
Respect to the law strengthens peaceful and inclusive societies.
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Djibouti · Day 5Abdoulkader Houssein OmarFinally, we are following very closely the process to identify the most qualified person to serve as the next Secretary-General of the UN.
That selection must be guided by competence, professional integrity and unequivocal commitment to respect for international law and the ability rigorously to implement the reforms on which Member States have collectively agreed.
Thank you.
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Gabon · Day 5Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-DoumbenenyThese challenges are compounded by the economic and social consequences of successive crises, food insecurity, the forced displacement of populations, the risks associated with cybercrime, and the upheavals brought about by emerging technologies.
These realities are severely testing the international community's ability to act together.
In this uncertain environment, there is one value that can still guide us, trust.
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Zambia · Day 5Mulambo Hamakuni HaimbeWe will continue to ensure that political differences are addressed through due process of the law and will take all necessary measures within the confines of the constitution and our laws to prevent political disputes from degenerating into violence, armed mobilization, insurgency, or the emergence of militia groups.
In this regard, we extend a sincere invitation to cooperating partners, international development institutions, investors, the private sector, and Zambia's friends around the world to continue working with us in advancing our grow Zambia agenda.
Zambia needs partnerships.
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