China supports the United Nations in playing an active role in
helping post-conflict nations to establish and safeguard justice
and rule of law, Chinese Foreign Minister Li
Zhaoxing said Wednesday.
"Currently, battered social order, shattered rule of law and
absence of protection of the rights of civilians, women and
children in particular, are commonplace in areas of conflicts," Li
said in a speech at a Security Council ministerial meeting.
He noted that to guarantee an early restoration of the judicial
system and rule of law in order to uphold justice and protect human
rights has thus become a necessary condition for post-conflict
stability and development.
"To help the parties concerned establish and safeguard justice
and rule of law, therefore, should be given earnest attention in
the course of UN peacekeeping operations and post-conflict
reconstruction," he stressed.
"China supports the United Nations in playing an active role in
accordance with the needs and actual conditions of the countries
concerned," he added.
In addition to justice and rule of law, Li pointed out that a
broadly representative government should be established as soon as
possible to help bring about national reconciliation and ensure a
harmonious coexistence of all ethnic groups.
Meanwhile, he said, a sound security environment should be
created expeditiously to ensure an orderly progress of
reconstruction.
Li called for the international community to tackle the root
causes for conflicts -- poverty and backwardness -- in order to
ensure a lasting peace in post-conflict areas.
"The end of a conflict does not necessarily mean the arrival of
peace. Causes of conflicts differ, but more often than not they
have a great deal to do with poverty and backwardness," he
said.
"Without development, justice and rule of law are but mirages.
There is quite a long distance to move from war to stability and
from anarchy to rule of law," Li emphasized. "We strongly urge the
international community to accord development the key position it
deserves in peace building."
Li also stressed the importance of rule of law in handling
international relations.
"The answer to bringing about a world of peace, stability,
justice and rule of law lies solely in closer international
cooperation, multilateral approach and democracy and rule of law in
international relations," he said.
"The UN Charter and other norms governing international
relations must be respected and maintained in earnest," he
continued. "As a responsible member of the great international
family, each country should take on the challenges it faces by
acting within the framework of international institutions and in
accordance with international law."
Li's counterparts from other Security Council member states also
took the floor to express their views on the UN role in
safeguarding justice and rule of law.
(Xinhua News Agency September, 25 2003)