U.N. calls for lawyers to help end abuses

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The United Nations is pressing lawyers to engage in the international effort to end impunity for genocide and war crimes.

Asha-Rose Migiro, U.N. deputy secretary-general, in a recent speech at the American Bar Association said lawyers need to fully engage in ensuring the rule of law and to fulfill commitments to help provide those vulnerable to crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses, the United Nations reported.

Migiro said through the International Criminal Court and the establishment of international criminal law, lawyers can help implement justice and peace in countries that recently have dealt with violent conflicts.

"The United Nations has a clear position that it cannot support any amnesty for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and gross human rights abuses," Migiro said in a statement.

"I hope that you, as legal professionals, will work wherever possible to ensure that justice is not sidelined in the short-term interests of an unsustainable peace."