Poland against a world of influence zones
Let us create a world founded on the force of law and not on the notion “might is right”, Polish President Andrzej Duda said at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.
"Poland, so gravely affected by World War II and by over 40 years of oppression from the communist regime, is particularly sensitive to the use of force in relations between states, to the use of armed aggression, to violation of human rights. Poland feels it is incumbent on her to remind that such methods are not only immoral and incompatible with the broadly understood humanism but above all violate international law," the Polish president said in his address.
President Duda stressed that "in a situation when a state wages an aggression, pursuing the policy of accomplished facts: employing tanks, missiles and bombs, international community has an obligation to reject the facts accomplished through such an action."
Therefore it is crucial "to continue efforts to streamline the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council." The privilege of permanent membership involves the duty to take active measures to implement UN fundamental goals, the president stressed.
President Duda noted that on many occasions the right to veto led to a total stalemate in the Council work on crucial security issues. He added that Poland supported the French proposal to adopt a code of procedure for refraining from a veto in the case of the gravest crimes in the sense of international law.
Stressing the importance of international law, Duda said that arrangements made by leaders of states behind closed doors should never replace treaties, conventions and resolutions.
President Duda stressed the pressures on the freedom of conscience present in various parts of the world, with members of religious minorities, particularly Christians, exposed to persecution. In this context, the president appealed to international community "to take firm steps to protect the rights of religious minorities."
Andrzej Duda said Poland was ready to increase its contribution to peace-keeping and preservation of security. "Mindful of the tragedy of World War II, and of communist times, Poland pledges to actively cooperate in building international order founded on law," the president vowed.
Among factors that contributed to global peace, Duda named democracy, sustainable economic growth, removing social inequalities, broader access to education and long-term climate change mitigation. "In this connection, I wish to assure you about my country's readiness to participate in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals," Duda pledged.
Source: PAP; president.pl