Statement by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), delivered by IDLO Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, Mark Cassayre
Agenda Item 1: Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
17 June 2025
Thank you, Mr. President,
IDLO thanks the High Commissioner for his frank, yet sobering, report and for his continued advocacy for the rule of law as a critical means for the protection and fulfillment of all human rights.
Today, I would like to focus on these positive elements and share three ways the rule of law can address challenges the world is facing.
First, effective, accountable, and responsive justice institutions are essential to rebuild public trust and repair the social contract.
IDLO works across regions to combat corruption and strengthen integrity, engaging the entire justice chain – including informal and customary systems – to improve effectiveness, ensure timely, cost-efficient dispute resolution, and build institutional capacity to better meet people’s needs.
Second, access to justice is not only a matter of rights, but a tool for development – from food security to land access and economic opportunity.
In Kenya, IDLO helped establish small claims courts that resolve cases in under 40 days, providing services for small and medium enterprises and increasing investor confidence.
We have also worked with countries, including Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Montenegro, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to develop laws on commercial mediation and alternative dispute resolution that allow people to obtain justice in a way that resolves conflicts and unlocks economic potential.
Finally, inclusive policymaking is not only part of a rights-based approach, but it delivers better results for people and governments.
Working with the WHO, IDLO has joined forces with ten countries to advance the right to health by connecting governments and civil society as partners in developing legal frameworks that reduce the risks of non-communicable diseases.
Maintaining hope is essential in times like these. The rule of law is a key ingredient in any recipe for a future that protects people’s rights, drives development, and rebuilds trust in governance.
Thank you.