- A recent UN resolution vote, in which 153 countries voted in favour and 10 against, including the United States’ backing for Israel, demonstrates the power of a few countries in global decisions.
- This voting pattern highlights the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) veto rights and their durability throughout the past seven decades.
What is the UN Security Council’s Veto Power?
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has five permanent members (P5): the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China, as well as ten non-permanent members.
- Resolutions passed by the UNSC, unlike those voted by the General Assembly, have legal force.
- Veto Mechanism: Any P5 member can veto a resolution, preventing it from being adopted even if it has the needed majority support.
The Reason for Veto Power for Permanent Members
- Post-WWII Context: In honour of their contribution in establishing the UN after WWII, the P5 were awarded exceptional rights, including veto power.
- Strategic Necessity: The veto was deemed necessary to ensure these large states’ participation in global peacekeeping efforts.
Formation and Evolution of the UN and Veto Power
- Foundational Discussions on the UN and Veto Power: The structure of veto power was formed during significant meetings such as the Dumbarton Oaks and Yalta Conferences.
- FDR’s Influence: President Franklin D. Roosevelt envisioned the UN as a post-war peacekeeping entity, with the ‘Four Policemen’ (the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and China) at its centre.
- Diplomatic Efforts of the United States: To achieve veto power in the UN Charter, the US used a variety of measures, including intelligence.
Veto Power Debate and Criticism
- Global Unhappiness: Many countries have expressed concern about the exclusive nature of veto power.
- Resistance to Change: Attempts to extend the P5 or amend veto rights have largely failed due to the permanent members’ vested interests.
- Recognising Changes: The increase of non-permanent UN Security Council members in 1965 was a response to the changing international situation.
- Proposals include making all 15 seats temporary with five-year terms, encouraging open competition for seats, enforcing lobbying restrictions, and establishing term limitations.
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- Further Discussions: The use of veto power in the UN Security Council is still a sensitive issue, reflecting the complexities of global politics.
- Changing with the Times: As the global political environment changes, there may be increasing demand to modify the UN Security Council’s structure and veto mechanism to better align with the present global order.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/permanent-five-veto-power-unsc-explained-9071707/#:~:text=The%20UN%20says%2C%20%E2%80%9CThe%20creators,of%20international%20peace%20and%20security.%E2%80%9D