UN approves measure requiring states to justify veto

UN approves measure requiring states to justify veto

Subject: IR

Section: UN

Context- The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution requiring the five permanent members of the Security Council to justify their use of the veto.

Concept-

• United States, China, Russia, France and the UK are the five members with veto power.
• The measure is intended to make veto-holders more accountable while exercising their power.

Key highlights of the resolution:

• The resolution was titled – ‘Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council’.
• The measure provides for the General Assembly to be convened within 10 working days after a veto “to hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast”.
• The assembly is not required to take or consider any action, but the discussion could put veto-wielders on the spot and let other countries be heard.

Advantages:

• The application of this resolution will shed light on the use of the veto and on the blockages within the Security Council.
• The measure is intended to make veto-holders pay a higher political price, when they use the veto to strike down a Security Council resolution.

Criticism:

• Possible misuse:
  • It is highly likely that countries could propose controversial texts they know their rivals will veto only to force them to justify their stance publicly.
  • If this happens, the move will divide the UN even further.
• Directed against Russia:
  • Many analysts feel that it is directed against Russia.
  • This is due to the fact that the proposal’s revival came as the Security Council has proven incapable of condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because of Moscow’s veto power.
• Non-binding nature
  • The text is non-binding and nothing prevents a country that has used its veto from declining to explain its actions to the General Assembly.
• Piecemeal reform
  • Critics have termed this as a piecemeal reform.
  • UNSC at present requires a reform to address the concerns for developing countries like India and Brazil.
  • There is widespread support for revamping the UN’s most powerful organ to reflect current global realities.

What is the Veto Power at the UN?

• The UN Security Council veto power is the power of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to veto any “substantive” resolution.
• They also happen to be the nuclear-weapon states (NWS) under the terms of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
• However, a permanent member’s abstention or absence does not prevent a draft resolution from being adopted.
• This veto power does not apply to “procedural” votes, as determined by the permanent members themselves.
• A permanent member can also block the selection of a Secretary-General, although a formal veto is unnecessary since the vote is taken behind closed doors.

Issues with Veto Power:

• The veto power is controversial.
• Supporters regard it as a promoter of international stability, a check against military interventions, and a critical safeguard against US domination.
• Critics say that the veto is the most undemocratic element of the UN, as well as the main cause of inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity.

United Nations Security Council:

• The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
• It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
• The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members.
• These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
• The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.