President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial
Guinea called the rule
of law an “essential element to form a world of peace, security and stability
among nations” in an address at the Treaty Event for the 67th
United Nations General Assembly.
President Obiang
stated that in Equatorial Guinea, respect for the rule of law is a firm principle
and constant aspiration of the government. Upholding the law is the primary
responsibility of a nation’s political system, he said.
He said his nation’s
recent constitutional reform
“grants broad freedoms to the people, provides governmental regulation
and protects human rights.” In order to ensure that the people’s most important
social, political and economic interests are represented, Equatorial Guinea
established a bicameral Parliament and an advisory board for the President of
the Republic.
In addition,
Equatorial Guinea strengthened the independence of the nation’s judiciary
system and appointed supervising bodies that maintain control of economic activity
and monitor human rights.
President
Obiang’s speech resonated with United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s
request, made in a September 21 speech to the General Assembly’s high level
meeting on the Rule of Law, that member states work together to ratify treaties to enhance rule of law around the globe and be accountable for compliance
with international law.
The annual
treaty event, held since 2000, is an awareness-raising occasion led by the UN
Secretary-General. It is intended to sign or become party to multilateral
Treaties and promote
participation in the UN international treaty framework internationally.
