Hungarian Church Press, 1968 (20. évfolyam, 2. szám)

1968-06-01 / 2. szám

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:TOI 7?1 vy Special Nurriber

1968 No 2

scepticism which is in evidenoe in relevant literature; not only the development but even the existence of international law is denied or challenged under the present circumstances when divergent sooial systems co-exist, Most of the se sceptical theories are animated by the conviction that effective international law is only possible on the basis of a community which has the character of a world state* 127)

Undoubtedly, owing to the tension between states having antagonistic conomic and social systems, there are today very great obstacles in the way of creating laws of universal validity for international life0128J But we cann^L. doubt either the actual existence of international law which - based on \mutual understanding — regulates the relations of sovereign states, in spite of the divergence of their social systems. Moreover, it is precisely in our time that int er national/Exhibits certain phenomena, which cannot be considered but indications of its actual development.

As to the contents of such new phenomena, we call attention to. the emergence and progressive validity of certain new principles in the field of international law (for instance, the principle cf non-aggression, the principle of resolving disputes peacefully, the prohibition of war propaganda, etc,; Also some new forms are in the making. Thus, for instance, certain norms of international law which have a programmatic character, that is, generally accepted principles cf legislation which, however, will only mature at 3^me time in the future into codified theses of international law (fer instance, the norm of peaceful coexistence: UNO Charter, article 2, p, 4-), Such norm is an international pact which envisages the creation of further rules cf international law (e.g, , the JIoscow Test Bon Treaty of 1963),-^^) Although the development of international law with the view of furthering disarmament is mostly still a task to be accomplished in the future, it is by no means an unrealistic goal the acconplishment of ’which is definitely beyond our means,

4) In connection with disarmament we meet the need also underscored by the problems of peaceful coexistence: it is necessary to set up an effective international institution to which certain tasks of consultation, coordination,' control or even executive and regulative functions could be assigned 0

Undoubtedly, such an international institution — albeit sometimes and partly only in a potential form - already exists as the United Nations' Organization, In the course of its activity, the UNO has already discharged essential services in the interests of peace and security. Also in relation to disarmament, many fruitful negotiations have taken place, decisions on princirlas in a progressive spirit and practical steps have been taken at UNO meetings or in organizations created by the UNO, car at the initiative and under the impulse of such organizations. But no one can soy that the werk cf the UNO has not had its defects. These are reflected in the repeated criá^.s in its history and further by the fact that many of its good and forward-looking resolutions have remained on paper. These, however, could by no means