Archbishop Garbriele Caccia, Holy See's Permanent Observer to the UN

VATICAN

Holy See: Crises must not weaken UN commitment to Rule of Law

The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, calls for respect of the Rule of Law amid new armed conflicts both at the international and national levels.

By Lisa Zengarini

“The Rule of Law stands at the service of the human person and aims to protect the dignity of each”. Therefore, “there can be no exceptions” to its application “even in times of emergency”, said the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

“Any just society must be based on the principle of the Rule of Law, in which the law and not the arbitrary will of individuals is sovereign”, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia reiterated on Thursday, 19 October, as he addressed the Sixth Commission, the legal arm of the of UN General Assembly (UNGA).

An essential foundation for justice, peace, and human solidarity

Commenting on the Report of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on strengthening and coordinating UN Rule of Law activities, the Vatican Nuncio recalled that the Holy See has consistently promoted this principle as “an essential foundation for justice, peace, and human solidarity”.

“Indeed,” he said, “justice is indispensable to the achievement of universal fraternity and to the construction of a world in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and where the law of the more powerful does not prevail.”

Archbishop Caccia therefore stressed that the new armed conflicts emerging both at the international and national levels, should not weaken the UN’s “commitment to the Rule of Law.”

“At present, the Rule of Law is facing new challenges across the globe. At the international level, we are witnessing new armed conflicts, that defy the fundamental principles upon which the international order is built. Whereas at the national level, we are witnessing an alarming increase in the number of violent transitions of power, in breach of the established constitutional order, as well as an escalation in the intensity and breadth, of civil conflicts. These events should not weaken our commitment to the Rule of Law.”

Protecting the most weak and vulnerable

The Vatican Observer further remarked that the true essence of the Rule of Law, “which encompasses fundamental values and principles indispensable for social harmony”, must also be “diligently upheld.”

In particular, he said, “we must reject the cultural fashion that proves intolerant of differences and concentrates on the present moment, on the needs and rights of individuals, while frequently neglecting their duties with regard to the most weak and vulnerable: the poor, migrants, the elderly, the sick, the unborn.”

Challenges posed to Rule of Law by new digital technologies

Referring to the new challenges posed to the Rule of Law by the rapid advancement, of new technologies in the digital realm, the Vatican Nuncio reiterated that “digital tools must be employed ethically to foster transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the justice system, while upholding the dignity of every human being.”

Indeed, as noted by the Secretary-General, if not used properly, “digital technologies can cause harm, exacerbate inequalities, disproportionately affect women, and foster discrimination.”

Concluding, the Vatican Observer said the Holy See's Permanent Mission shares the view that “upholding the Rule of Law is essential to addressing the complex crises of our time and to building peaceful societies with equal opportunities and with full respect for the rights and freedoms of all.”

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