Press Release Amid Increasing Global Violations, Pakistan calls for clarification of the “Rule of Law” New York, October 18, 2024: – Pakistan has said that Israel is destroying the whole concept of the “rule of law” at the international level through its genocidal war it has been waging in Gaza for a year now. It further stated that the actions such as the violations of international humanitarian laws as well as rights of the people under foreign occupation, dismantling of the treaties for arm control and disarmament, violence and discrimination against religions and targeted assassinations in third countries, also represent other aspects of the destruction of the ‘rule of law’. Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, stated this while making a statement in the Sixth Committee meeting today on the Agenda item “The rule of law at the national and international levels”. He said it was ironic that the countries, which are complicit in the erosion of international law, had the audacity to advocate for adherence to the “rule of law”, which fits their description and interpretation. The Pakistan UN envoy highlighted the urgent need to clarify the “Rule of Law” in international governance. He emphasized the critical relationship between national and international law and the necessity of ensuring that existing laws are properly observed and applied. He said that key international instruments such as the UN Charter, Geneva Conventions, disarmament treaties, and human rights conventions form the backbone of the Rule of Law. Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized the legal obligations of Member States under the UN Charter, particularly Article 25, which requires all Member States to implement the binding decisions of the UN Security Council. Whether issued under Chapter VI or Chapter VII, these decisions are applicable to all. Additionally, he also highlighted that key international declarations, such as the Declaration on Decolonization, the Declaration on Friendly Relations among States, and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, have evolved into international “Common Law” and must be respected by all nations. Ambassador Akram further added that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also plays a crucial role in the development of international law. Its case law and Advisory Opinions form part of the global “Rule of Law” framework, guiding the interpretation and application of international legal principles, he explained. The Ambassador called for continued commitment to these legal obligations to maintain global peace and order. However, he expressed concerns about selective interpretation and the imposition of restrictive norms developed by non-inclusive forums, without the consent of all UN Member States. The Ambassador said that these norms, such as arms control regimes, should not be imposed globally without universal participation. He stressed that international law must be adopted through inclusive platforms, giving all nations equal footing, as seen with the UNCLOS and the BBNJ Treaty. Moreover, Ambassador Munir Akram called for a clearer distinction between national obligations and international law, reaffirming that no state should impose its national laws on others through coercive measures, which constitutes a violation of the Rule of Law. The Pakistan UN envoy urged the Legal Committee to task the International Law Commission with clarifying the concept of the Rule of Law and suggested seeking an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice. **