UNSC permanent member to justify veto

Why in news?

• The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution titled ‘Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council’.

What does this resolution provide for?

• The resolution would require the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to justify their use of the veto in future.
• It says that the UN General Assembly will be convened within 10 working days after a veto to hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast.
• The UN 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.

Significance of this resolution:

• The resolution is intended to make veto-holders more accountable while exercising their power.
• It will also shed light on the use of the veto and on the blockages within the Security Council.

Drawbacks:

• This resolution is non-binding and nothing prevents a country that has used its veto from declining to explain its actions to the UN General Assembly.

NB:To know more about UNSC click here

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding ‘United Nations Security Council’:

1. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

2. A resolution of the UNSC has to be passed by at least seven non-permanent members even if all the permanent members support it.

3. To be elected as a non-permanent member of the council, each member-country requires a two-third majority of the entire assembly

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer