• Lack <strong>of</strong> a culture <strong>of</strong> peace, tolerance, love, acceptance and respect for one ano<strong>the</strong>r.• Failure to resolve disputes through peaceful means.These obstacles must be elim<strong>in</strong>ated before world peace and unity can be achieved. This isnot a simple task, which can be accomplished <strong>in</strong> a day or <strong>in</strong> a few years. It is a longjourney which must start with one step. I am glad to say that we have embarked on thisjourney with <strong>the</strong> seriousness and commitment it deserves. These conferences are a vividdemonstration <strong>of</strong> this resolve and <strong>the</strong>y must be supported. We cannot achieve this goals<strong>in</strong>gle handedly, but we must work toge<strong>the</strong>r with o<strong>the</strong>r peace promoters, for <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong>build<strong>in</strong>g world peace is a collective responsibility for <strong>the</strong> entire world.Hon’ble Mr Justice Benjam<strong>in</strong> J. Odoki,<strong>Chief</strong> Justice <strong>of</strong> Uganda receiv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>'Key' to City <strong>of</strong> Lucknow from MayorDr S.C. Rai at <strong>the</strong> ConferenceWe must work towards <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> enforceable International law. Law is <strong>the</strong>expression <strong>of</strong> policy and <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>strumentality <strong>of</strong> transformation and compliance. International law cannot be enforced if <strong>the</strong>reare no effective <strong>in</strong>stitutions to enforce it and sanctions for non-compliance. The ma<strong>in</strong> world body charged with <strong>the</strong>responsibility to enforce it, <strong>the</strong> United Nations Security Council does not have <strong>the</strong> teeth to enforce it. The SecretaryGeneral <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations, Mr. K<strong>of</strong>i Annan, admitted this when he addressed <strong>the</strong> UN General Assembly <strong>in</strong> New Yorkon 21st September 2004. The Secretary General stated,“At <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational level <strong>all</strong> states - strong and weak, big and sm<strong>all</strong> - need a framework <strong>of</strong> fair rules, whicheach can be confident that <strong>all</strong> will obey. Fortunately, such a framework exists. From trade to terrorism, from <strong>the</strong>law <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea to weapons <strong>of</strong> mass destruction, states have created an impressive body <strong>of</strong> norms and laws. Thisis one <strong>of</strong> our organization’s proudest achievements. And yet this framework is riddled with gaps and weaknesses.Too <strong>of</strong>ten it is applied selectively and enforced arbitrarily. It lacks <strong>the</strong> teeth that turn a body <strong>of</strong> laws <strong>in</strong>to aneffective legal system.”I entirely agree with <strong>the</strong> Secretary General that we need an effective United Nations - one that reflects <strong>the</strong> world we live <strong>in</strong>today and can meet <strong>the</strong> ch<strong>all</strong>enges we face. His promise to reform <strong>the</strong> Security Council <strong>in</strong> order to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> rule <strong>of</strong> lawand transitional justice <strong>in</strong> conflict and post conflict societies, is a welcome commitment, which promotes our cause. Ipropose that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> measure to reform <strong>the</strong> Security Council should <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>the</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> veto by <strong>the</strong>Permanent Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council and <strong>the</strong> expansion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council to represent <strong>all</strong> <strong>the</strong> major regions and world legalsystems <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world.While reform<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> United Nations is one <strong>of</strong> strategies for promot<strong>in</strong>g enforceable <strong>in</strong>ternational law, <strong>the</strong>re is a need totransform <strong>the</strong> United Nations <strong>in</strong>to a World Parliament which can enact enforceable <strong>in</strong>ternational law. A World Parliamentmust not emphasize <strong>the</strong> sovereignty <strong>of</strong> nations and <strong>of</strong> its citizens. International law should cease to be a matter for voluntaryacceptance or waiver by powerful states, but applicable equ<strong>all</strong>y to <strong>all</strong> nations and <strong>all</strong> peoples. No government, no nationand no person should be above <strong>the</strong> law.The rule <strong>of</strong> law must be b<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>in</strong>ternational level. The Judiciaries <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> World, which are responsible for peacefulresolution <strong>of</strong> disputes, must play a lead<strong>in</strong>g role <strong>in</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> observance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rule <strong>of</strong> law at home and abroad.Globalization demands global law as <strong>the</strong> world has become a global village. This is <strong>the</strong>only way we can hope to promote and achieve a realistic and equitable new <strong>in</strong>ternationaleconomic and political order. This is <strong>the</strong> only way <strong>in</strong> which <strong>all</strong> <strong>the</strong> people <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world canlive free from fear and want. This is <strong>the</strong> only way our children can have hope that tomorrowwill be better than today. This is <strong>the</strong> only way we can achieve a safe future for our childrenborn and yet to be born.Hon’ble Mr Justice Benjam<strong>in</strong> J. Odoki,<strong>Chief</strong> Justice <strong>of</strong> Uganda (front row,right) at <strong>the</strong> ConferenceI wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.--18--
5 th International Conference <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chief</strong> <strong>Justices</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> WorldAddress byHon’ble Mr Justice Leonard Ezra Unyolo<strong>Chief</strong> Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Republic <strong>of</strong> MalawiI would like to express my pr<strong>of</strong>ound gratitude to Mr Jagdish Ghandhi, Founder Manager<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> City Montessori School (CMS) and his team at <strong>the</strong> City Montessori School forgraciously <strong>in</strong>vit<strong>in</strong>g me to this conference. I feel greatly honoured <strong>in</strong>deed. I would also liketo thank you for <strong>all</strong> <strong>the</strong> work you have done and you are do<strong>in</strong>g to promote World Peaceand to advance our understand<strong>in</strong>g that a school must act as a lighthouse <strong>of</strong> society andprovide mean<strong>in</strong>gful education, spiritual direction and leadership.As we have noted, this conference draws its <strong>in</strong>spiration on Article 51(c) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> IndianConstitution which provides that <strong>the</strong> state sh<strong>all</strong> endeavour to foster respect for <strong>in</strong>ternation<strong>all</strong>aw. This clause is similar to Article 1 <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Charter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations which stipulatesthat <strong>the</strong> purposes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations are, <strong>in</strong>ter alia, to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational peace andsecurity and to take appropriate measures to streng<strong>the</strong>n universal peace.Hon’ble Mr Justice Leonard EzraUnyolo, <strong>Chief</strong> Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Republic<strong>of</strong> Malawi address<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ConferenceLet me beg<strong>in</strong> by concurr<strong>in</strong>g with fellow <strong>Chief</strong> <strong>Justices</strong>, and o<strong>the</strong>r em<strong>in</strong>ent speakers who have addressed this forum <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>past, on <strong>the</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t that <strong>the</strong> existence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se provisions <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN Charter and national Constitutions provide us a ch<strong>all</strong>enge<strong>of</strong> how to transform <strong>the</strong> ideals embodied <strong>the</strong>re<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>to practical reality. It also gives us an opportunity to reflect on <strong>the</strong>success and failure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> and streng<strong>the</strong>n universal peace. This, <strong>in</strong> turn, enables us to propose reforms to <strong>the</strong>structure and method <strong>of</strong> decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN <strong>in</strong> order to make it a more effective body for <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong><strong>in</strong>ternational peace and security through enforceable <strong>in</strong>ternational law.More than 50 years ago <strong>the</strong> framers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN Charter were determ<strong>in</strong>ed, <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> words <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Charter, to save succeed<strong>in</strong>ggenerations from <strong>the</strong> scourge <strong>of</strong> war, which twice <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir life time had brought untold sorrow to mank<strong>in</strong>d and to reaffirm<strong>the</strong>ir faith <strong>in</strong> fundamental human rights and dignity. They were also determ<strong>in</strong>ed to establish conditions under which justiceand respect for <strong>the</strong> obligations aris<strong>in</strong>g from treaties and o<strong>the</strong>r sources <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational law could be ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed. They werefur<strong>the</strong>r desirous <strong>of</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g social progress and better standards <strong>of</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> larger freedom.As Albright observes <strong>the</strong> drafters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Charter were not naïve, <strong>the</strong>y were grimly realistic. They had seen, after World WarI, <strong>the</strong> price <strong>of</strong> fail<strong>in</strong>g to organize peace and what happens when commitments are not kept. They were eyewitnesses to <strong>the</strong>devastation <strong>of</strong> war. They had a first hand experience <strong>of</strong> how evil triumphs when good people do noth<strong>in</strong>g. The creation <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> United Nations was <strong>the</strong>ir only hope for last<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternational peace and security.Notwithstand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN, <strong>the</strong> hopes and aspirations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> framers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UN Charter have to a large extentrema<strong>in</strong>ed frustrated. Indeed, new ch<strong>all</strong>enges have arisen that demand <strong>in</strong>novative strategies <strong>of</strong> enforc<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternational law.We live <strong>in</strong> an era where threats <strong>of</strong> conflicts cont<strong>in</strong>ue to arise. We live <strong>in</strong> an unsettled age, beset by threats <strong>of</strong> terrorism,unilateral action by super powers, massive ecological destruction, unsusta<strong>in</strong>able lifestyles, endemic poverty, disease,squabbles, wars, genocide, selective application <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational law, and weapons <strong>of</strong> mass destruction (despite <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> cold war). The risks our children and future generations face are, <strong>the</strong>refore, unprecedented.This scenario is attributed to <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> framers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nations Charter failed to devise a ‘common thread’ forb<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g member countries <strong>in</strong>to one global family. In <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> a common thread <strong>the</strong> UNO has become an organization<strong>of</strong> disunited nations. The actions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> countries with veto power causes fear and suspicion among o<strong>the</strong>r countries thatseek similar powers by resort<strong>in</strong>g to unconventional and he<strong>in</strong>ous means <strong>of</strong> conflict resolution. It is <strong>in</strong> this context that <strong>the</strong>rehas been a grow<strong>in</strong>g demand for more enforceable <strong>in</strong>ternational law.--19--