Erosion of rule of law contributing to conflict, humanitarian crises: Pakistan tells UNSC

United Nations : Pakistan has called for stronger adherence to international law, warning that selective enforcement is fueling global instability, conflicts, and humanitarian crises.

During a high-level UN Security Council debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized that the erosion of the rule of law undermines trust between nations and weakens the multilateral system.

“When law yields to power or expediency, instability deepens, disputes entrench further, and peaceful coexistence is jeopardized,” he said.

Key Points from Pakistan’s Statement

• Core Principles Under Threat: Ambassador Ahmad noted that principles of the UN Charter—sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibition of force—are increasingly challenged. He cautioned against normalizing unilateral actions outside the UN framework.

• Tensions with India: Pakistan highlighted its first-hand experience with violations of international law, citing India’s military aggression last year. He stressed Pakistan’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and called for resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions.

• Double Standards in International Law: The envoy underscored that many developing countries face selective enforcement of global rules, yet nations in the Global South continue to trust the UN and the principles of a fair, rules-based international order.

• Global Legal Developments: Pakistan welcomed progress in international maritime law and recent advisory opinions by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Palestine and climate change, urging that such rulings be universally respected.

• Proposed Steps: To strengthen compliance, Pakistan suggested:

  1. Better monitoring of Security Council resolution implementation.

  2. Regular legal briefings for the Council.

  3. Greater use of the ICJ to resolve disputes peacefully.

“If multilateralism is to endure, law must prevail over force, and justice over impunity,” Ambassador Ahmad added.

Commitment to Peace and Justice

Pakistan reaffirmed its dedication to peaceful dispute resolution and supporting a UN-centered international order based on equality and respect for all treaty obligations, including water-sharing agreements and other international commitments.

“Pakistan remains committed to a UN Charter-inspired rules-based international order in which disputes are resolved peacefully, obligations are honored, and the United Nations serves as a true guarantor of peace, justice, and dignity for all,” the ambassador concluded.