Statement by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, Chargé d’affaires, at the 10^th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. President,

In a world of clashing interests, international law is our safety net. It is for this reason that every country should place respect for international law as its foreign policy priority and as its national interest.

Firstly, international law can work as a safety net only if we all stand by it. We therefore welcome the convening of this Emergency Special Session following up on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice addressing Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Slovenia was among the countries voting in favour of the GA request for the opinion, and participated in the Court proceedings.

Slovenia advocates for consistent compliance with international law and a strengthened international legal system as the best guarantees of international peace and security. This includes respect for the work, independence and impartiality of the international courts and accountability for most serious violations of international law. There can be no peace without justice.

Secondly, international law can only work if we act based on its guidance. Full respect of international law must therefore include respect for decisions and judicial advice of international courts and tribunals. The ICJ has stated: the occupation is unlawful, and it must end. While the ICJ provided clear guidance, which we welcome, it is up to other UN bodies, including the General Assembly, to lay out foundations for the implementation. We therefore welcome the resolution tabled by the State of Palestine. As a first resolution ever tabled by the State of Palestine, it shows their commitment to the respect of international law. We appreciate the conduct of negotiations and flexibility of the main sponsor.

The main aim of the resolution is clear and focuses on the end of the occupation. In our view, the resolution also outlines first steps towards mechanisms which will feed into a political process leading to the realization of the two-state solution. Slovenia advocates for a meaningful and timebound political process with the UN at its center. In face of the immense suffering in Gaza and a boiling situation in the West Bank, the General Assembly must provide hope to the people of Palestine. It must also provide reassurance to the people of Israel that their security is our priority. This resolution is therefore a signal of commitment to the international law, to the two-state solution and a just and lasting peace. And every member of this Assembly should, in accordance with the UN Charter, act as a patron of that commitment.

Thirdly, international law cannot be seen as a menu to choose from and should know no double standards. In one of her lectures speaking about the rule of law at the international law, Former President of the ICJ Rosalyn Higgins underlined and I quote: “In my view, the International Court need not do anything different from that which we always do, namely, meticulously apply international law in an impartial manner to the disputes before us. This is the best way for the International Court to protect and promote the rule of law.« (End of quote) It is crucial that this Assembly does the same: meticulously apply international law in an impartial manner, in all situations.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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