NEW YORK, OCT. 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See is underlining the need for effective and just international laws, especially faced to the increasingly globalized economy.
Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, affirmed this today in an address before the 64th session of the U.N. General Assembly.
«Promoting the rule of law at the international level becomes an increasingly vital tool for achieving the goals originally established by the [United Nations] Charter,» the prelate said.
This is particularly true with «too many people somewhat excluded from the protections and benefits of the rule of law and with a global financial crisis affecting all regions,» he affirmed.
The archbishop pointed out that «underlying any law is a fundamental value or truth which must be upheld in order for it to have any real meaning and purpose.»
He added, «To speak only of the rule of law without including the need for justice would be inadequate and risk replacing the rule of law with a rule by law.»
«International law continues to be of particular importance,» Archbishop Migliore noted, «in the areas of peace and security, economic development and environmental degradation.»
He continued: «Widespread corruption, international and national conflicts, terrorism, sexual violence as a means of war and other human rights abuses, too often are perpetuated by or are due to the lack of adherence to a just rule of law at various levels.
«In this regard, treaties and international legal norms have been instrumental in promoting better respect for the rule of law and creating greater trust between States.»
In the economy, the prelate said, «the rule of law at the international level has become ever more necessary.»
He explained that the «interconnected nature of global business and trade no longer allows for individual nations to control and regulate their own economy because, as the recent financial crisis demonstrates, failure to properly regulate a single market or commodity can lead to devastating effects across the globe.»
The archbishop called for «greater efforts» to «reform the United Nations and the various international financial systems in order to play a proper role in responsible financial regulation.»
He affirmed, «We also support endeavors by states and international organizations to work together to create a just rule of law system for fair trade which respects the inherent dignity of workers.»
Archbishop Migliore cautioned: «In a global market, so-called outsourcing can lead to a disconnect between a company’s responsibility to its workers, suppliers, consumers and the environment.
«For this reason, national and international rule of law must not focus solely upon determining the role of markets but also take into account the rights of workers and the community.»
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Full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-27215?l=english
