General Debate under Item 2 :

Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

20 March 2019

Oral Statement by: International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ)

Mr. President,

International Lawyers and the Geneva International Centre for Justice would like to thank the High Commissioner for her annual report. We particularly note her comments on the importance of establishing lasting peace and security in nations that are today experiencing conflict.

It is imperative that the United Nations address humanitarian crises through peaceful means and without military intervention. The use of force is not a way to resolve international disputes. The UN will not survive if it cannot contribute to resolving conflicts peacefully and without the use of force. Moreover, the use of force inevitably leads to the violations of human rights.

The tragedy in Iraq is a prime example. Iraq was among the most developed States in the region until it was destroyed by the illegal use of force, allegedly under UN cover, by States seeking to impose their will. Yemen as seen the same fate, and now some Member States are contemplating the use of force against Venezuela. The UN can contribute to humanitarian assistance and peaceful means of resolution, but never the use of force.

Our former Advisory Board Member and President of the 63rd UN GA Miguel D’Escoto Brockman noted “that violence just begets violence and suffering. If the UN is to survive, and especially, if it is to strive as a world institution fostering peace among people it must be based on the rule of reason, the rule of international law.”

Thank you