The rule of law is the cornerstone of global peace, affirmed the UN Secretary General. The Secretary General called to renew the commitment to the UN Charter and warned that systematic violations erode trust among nations. Amidst the rise of conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, the UN proposes three priority areas of action to ensure accountability and criminal justice. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, issued a stark warning to the Security Council, stating that the 'law of the jungle' is progressively replacing the rule of law. During an open debate convened by Somalia, Guterres urged global powers to return to the compliance with international law as the only possible foundation for peace and multilateral cooperation. A crisis of international norms. The head of the UN emphasized that the rule of law represents the 'beating heart' of the UN Charter. However, he warned that currently there are blatant violations, such as the illegal use of force, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the denial of humanitarian aid. According to Guterres, from Gaza to Ukraine, international norms are applied selectively, which fosters impunity and sets dangerous precedents for global security. For the Secretary-General, the international legal framework acts as a lifeline for less powerful nations, guaranteeing sovereignty and equality. At the same time, it serves as a protective barrier for powerful countries, defining the limits of what is acceptable in times of conflict. Guterres recalled that the Security Council has the unique responsibility to make binding decisions that must be respected by all Member States. Towards a sustainable peace. To reverse the erosion of the world order, three priorities were proposed: strict compliance with the UN Charter, the use of peaceful mechanisms for dispute resolution—such as mediation and negotiation—and the strengthening of independent judicial systems. Guterres concluded that a just peace cannot exist without effective accountability, which is why he urged to give greater support to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and international criminal justice.
