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Belgium calls for equal application of international law in all conflicts
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot called at the United Nations General Assembly for international law to be applied by the same standards in all conflicts. Prévot addressed the war in Ukraine, civilian protection, humanitarian aid, UN reform and the independence of international courts.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot called in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday for international law to be applied in the same way in every region affected by conflict. He said that the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and civilian protection cannot vary according to geography.
Prévot said the basic rules of the international order must apply not only to Europe but also to conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti. He stressed that the principles of international humanitarian law must be upheld in every situation, even when countries’ circumstances differ.
“No human life is less valuable than another. Civilians are civilians and must be protected,” Prévot said, calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed to reach civilians in conflict zones. He said aid must not become an optional expense, a reward or a bargaining tool.
Warning against changing borders in Ukraine
The Belgian minister linked his assessment on the equal application of international law to the war in Ukraine. He warned that allowing borders to be changed by force would make borders in other regions more insecure.
Prévot said the rules of international humanitarian law cannot be enforced only when considered convenient, stressing that the same standard must apply in all conflicts.
Call for UN reform and action on artificial intelligence
Prévot also called for reform of the United Nations, saying that changes must not weaken the organization’s ability to carry out its core responsibilities. He said reforms should provide better representation for all regions of the world.
Addressing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, Prévot said governments must provide adequate protection for people while benefiting from technological innovation. He said there should be no retreat out of fear of innovation and added that governments should not rely on the assumption that artificial intelligence will regulate itself.
Emphasis on the independence of international courts
Prévot also defended the independence of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. He said both courts were founded on the principle that “power cannot appoint itself as judge.”
The Belgian foreign minister said Belgium would protect judges and staff serving at international courts if they faced sanctions or pressure for carrying out their duties.
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