Vatican- permanent observer to United Nations- Laws must never simply be regulations

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Zenit News Service 21/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations has stated that while laws are a necessity- regulations must never prevent the protection of the deeper values on which they have their basis. He further enforces that it is by the foundation of values, and respect for human dignity, as fostered in society and public realm as a whole that people are protected and justice done. He dismissed as less than just- the concept that law should be simply the implementing of norms created in past judgments, and regulations. He demonstrated his view that without respect for deeper values- laws cease to protect dignity, and human rights.

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, who represented the Vatican in making these statements- said that law should treat all people equally, regardless of social, economic, or political realities. He believes law should at its foundation- respect dignity, and truly is needed as it has become a pillar of the international efforts at global development.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights- he says- clearly implies a need for the rule of law.