UN Security Council (UNSC): Facts for UPSC Prelims
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Background: The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 to promote peace, security, and international cooperation. – Primary Aim: Prevent recurrence of global wars and foster collaboration on issues like sustainable development, human rights, and climate change. – Core Structure: Six main organs, including the General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice, and others. |
| Purpose and Importance | – Primary Role: Maintaining international peace and security. – Key Functions: Mediating conflicts, addressing global stability threats, imposing sanctions, and authorizing military interventions. – Composition: 15 members (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent). – Binding Decisions: Resolutions are mandatory for all UN member states. – Veto Power: Held by permanent members (P5: USA, Russia, China, UK, France). |
| Composition and Membership | – Permanent Members (P5): – United States: Founding member. – Russia: Successor to the Soviet Union. – China: Represented by the PRC since 1971. – France: Allied power from WWII. – United Kingdom: Founding member. – Non-Permanent Members: – Elected by the General Assembly for 2-year terms. – Regional Distribution: 3 from Africa, 2 from Asia-Pacific, 1 from Eastern Europe, 2 from Latin America & Caribbean, 2 from Western Europe & Others. – Not eligible for immediate re-election. |
| Privileges and Responsibilities | – Decision-making: Equal voting rights; 9 affirmative votes needed, including all P5. – Veto Power: Exclusive to P5; can block resolutions. – Peacekeeping Contributions: Financial, logistical, and personnel support varies by capacity. – Sanctions Enforcement: Implements sanctions to ensure compliance with international norms. |
| Functions and Powers | – Primary Responsibilities: – Investigate disputes and monitor conflicts. – Recommend peaceful resolutions through mediation and negotiation. – Impose sanctions (economic, diplomatic, military) as necessary. – Authorize military interventions for global peace and security. – Additional Roles: – Admit new UN members. – Recommend appointments for the Secretary-General. – Oversee and collaborate with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). |
| Subsidiary Organs and Bodies | – Subsidiary Bodies: Established to fulfill specific mandates. – Committee on Admission of New Members: Reviews membership applications. – Sanctions Committees: Monitors and enforces sanctions. – International Criminal Tribunals: For Yugoslavia and Rwanda to address war crimes. – Peacekeeping Missions: Authorized through resolutions; composed of contributions from member states. – Examples: UNMISS (South Sudan), UNPROFOR (former Yugoslavia). |
| Reports/Indices | – Annual Resolutions and Reports: Comprehensive resolutions and official reports on peace and security. – Sanctions Compliance Reports: Tracks implementation and adherence to sanctions imposed by the UNSC. – Peacekeeping Operations Reports: Evaluates effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes of UN peacekeeping missions. – International Tribunal Reports: Summarizes cases and judgments from tribunals like ICTY and ICTR. – Conflict Assessment Reports: Provides analysis of ongoing disputes and conflicts. |
| Initiatives | – Global Sanctions Regime: Targets violators of international norms through economic, diplomatic, and military measures. – Peacekeeping Operations: Ensures stability in conflict zones with missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), Congo (MONUSCO), and others. – Conflict Mediation Frameworks: Implements structured mediation for peaceful resolution of disputes. – International Criminal Justice: Established ICTY and ICTR for war crimes and genocide accountability. – Disarmament Initiatives: Advocates for reduction of nuclear weapons and other WMDs through resolutions and treaties like the NPT. – Counterterrorism Measures: Includes committees to address terrorism financing and operational support for global counterterrorism efforts. |
