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Download the Speeches of all Hon'ble Chief Justices & Judges in ...

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• 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--

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