Un Secretariat, the Committee on Human Rights in New York under  the chairmanship of the Secretary General Kofi Annan issued, in 2002 AD the historic resolution.

“The Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib is considered the fairest governor who appeared during human history (After Prophet Muhammad)” UN declaration was based on document of 160 pages in English. UN was specifically impressed with  Quotations  and Letters in Nahjul Balagha, specifically by content of  Letter No 53 which Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib wrote to his governor Malik ibn  Ashtar describing  in detail the rules of governance, more importantly the emphasis on just and fair treatment with minorities.

For this reason the World Organizations for Human Rights called the rulers of the world to follow the example of his sound and humanitarian method in ruling which revealed the spirit of social justice and peace,.

The United Nations has advised Arab countries to take Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) as  an example in establishing a regime based  on justice and democracy and encouraging knowledge

The UNDP in its 2002 Arab Human Development Report distributed around the world, listed six sayings of Imam Ali (a.s.) about local governance.

  1. He who appointed himself Imam (ruler) of the people must begin by teaching himself before teaching others. His teachings of others must be firs by setting an example rather than with his words, for he who begins by teaching and educating himself is more worthy of respect than he who teaches and educates others”
  2. “Your concern with developing the land should be greater than your concern for collecting taxes, for the latter can only be by developing, whereas he who seeks revenue without development destroys the country and the people”
  3. “Seek the company of learned and wise in search of solving the problems of your country and the righteousness of your people.”
  4. ” No good can come out in keeping silent to the government or in speaking out of ignorance.”
  5. The righteous are men of virtue, whose logic is straightforward , whose dress is unostentatious, whose path is modest, whose actions are many and who re undeterred by difficulties.”‘
  6. ” Choose the best among your people to administer justice among them. Choose someone who does not easily give up , who is unruffled by enmities, someone who will not persist in wrong doing , who will not hesitate to pursue right once he knows it………… a minimum of explanation without seeking the maximum of understanding , who will be the most steadfast when doubt is cast, who will be the least impatient  in correcting the opponent, the most patient in pursuing the truth, the most stern in meting out judgment, someone who is unaffected by flattery and not swayed by temptation and these are but few.”

Ref: Arab Human Development Report 2002.    http//www.ahdr.org