President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has assured the global community of his administration’s “unwavering commitment” to upholding the rule of law and implementing all pledges made by Nigeria to the international community.
This is just as he stated that the country’s return to Constitutionalism and Democratic governance since 1999 has enabled it to promote democratic tenets and protection of individual rights and fundamental freedoms.
President Jonathan told the first-ever High-Level Plenary Session of the United Nations on the Rule of Law Monday in New York that it was imperative for the rule of law to be further strengthened at national and international levels to ensure equity and fairness for all people.
According to him, the rule of law at global level must be based on the core principles of the United Nations which were further reaffirmed in the 2005 World Summit Document.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said the president explained his position to mean that countries must honour their international obligations, refrain from the threat or use of force, settle disputes through peaceful means, protect human rights and fundamental freedoms while abiding by international humanitarian law.
The President’s words: “Nigeria subscribes to the view that it is only an international system based on the rule of law that can guarantee the protection of the rights of individuals and the interests of the less powerful in the global arena.
“The principle of equality of States remains an important element in the promotion of the rule of law at the international level. The international community should therefore discourage any semblance of selective observance and enforcement of international law,” he added.
“Nigeria recognizes the important role of the International Court of Justice and other international tribunals in the peaceful resolution of international disputes. The work of the ICJ and other international criminal tribunals has contributed to the promotion of world peace and security as well as ending impunity around the globe by holding accountable, those responsible for grave violations of international and humanitarian law.
“Member States should therefore continue to provide support for these international adjudicatory mechanisms to enable them discharge their respective mandates,” President Jonathan told the high-level assembly.
On democracy, constitutionalism and good governance, Jonathan observed that “Equality before the law and access to justice are cherished values that are enshrined in our Constitution. Government has also consistently demonstrated strong political will to fulfil its international obligations through the domestication of relevant international instruments and recommended practices such as the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to promote open government; the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011 and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, to give impetus to the global fight against terrorism, terrorist financing and economic crimes.”
The President said that his Administration recognized the close nexus between the Rule of Law and Democracy and the primacy of the rule of law as a prerequisite for the promotion and protection of democracy, good governance and sustainable development and therefore envisions the promotion of the rule of law at the international level as a vital means of strengthening cooperation and promoting enduring peace and security among nations.
He said that his Administration will, consequently, continue to encourage the Nigerian judiciary to play a pivotal role in the advancement and elaboration of the rights of Nigerians through effective oversight over the actions of the executive and legislature.
The session which was opened by the Secretary of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, was also addressed by the President of the Security Council, the President of the International Court of Justice, the Head of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and other participating Heads of State and Government.
Copyright © 2012 This Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.