Guterres: Global rule of law being replaced by ‘law of jungle’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that global order is eroding as rule of law gives way to what he called "the law of the jungle"
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the global order is eroding as the rule of law gives way to what he called “the law of the jungle,” urging renewed commitment to multilateralism and accountability.
Guterres affirmed that “the rule of law is a cornerstone of global peace and security” during the Security Council open debate titled “Reaffirming the International Rule of Law: Pathways to Reinvigorating Peace, Justice and Multilateralism.”
He recalled that in 2024, UN member states adopted “the Pact for the Future,” which included a commitment “to act in accordance with international law and fulfill obligations in good faith,” but warned that “words are not being matched with action.”
“Around the world, the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungle,” he said. “We see flagrant violations of international law and brazen disregard for the UN Charter.” Regarding conflicts “from Gaza to Ukraine, from the Sahel to Myanmar, in Venezuela and elsewhere,” he noted that “the rule of law is being treated as an a la carte menu.”
He stressed that states are flouting international law “with impunity” through “the illegal use of force, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, human rights violations and abuses, the illegal development of nuclear weapons, unconstitutional changes of government, and the denial of lifesaving humanitarian aid.”
“These violations set dangerous precedents, encouraging other countries to do what they want, instead of what they are required to do under international law,” he warned.
Underscoring the unique authority of the Security Council, Guterres said: “In an era crowded with initiatives, the United Nations Security Council stands alone in its Charter-mandated authority to act on behalf of all Member States on questions of peace and security. No other body or ad hoc coalition can legally require all member states to comply with decisions on peace and security.”
He noted that “only the Security Council can authorize the use of force under international law, as set out in the Charter,” and emphasized that reform to the council is “essential.”
Guterres further stressed the need to “ensure accountability and end impunity,” calling for support for international justice. “The International Criminal Court, the central institution of the international criminal justice system, must be able to operate independently,” he said. “There can be no sustainable or just peace without accountability.”
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