by Kulcha Hyderabadi » Wed Sep 17, 2003 11:37 am
How the UN works:
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The United Nations was established on 24 October 1945 by 51 countries committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN: membership totals 191 countries*.
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When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations. According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes: to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The United Nations is not a world government and it does not make laws. It does, however, provide the means to help resolve international conflicts and formulate policies on matters affecting all of us. At the UN, all the Member States — large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems — have a voice and a vote in this process.
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The United Nations has six main organs. Five of them — the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat — are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.
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The Security Council:
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The UN Charter gives the Security Council primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The Council may convene at any time, whenever peace is threatened. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to carry out the Council\'s decisions.
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There are 15 Council members. Five of these — China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States — are permanent members. The other 10 are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Member States are discussing making changes in Council membership and working to reflect today\'s political and economic realities.
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Decisions of the Council require nine yes votes. Except in votes on procedural questions, a decision cannot be taken if there is a no vote, or veto, by a permanent member.
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When the Council considers a threat to international peace, it first explores ways to settle the dispute peacefully. It may suggest principles for a settlement or undertake mediation. In the event of fighting, the Council tries to secure a ceasefire. It may send a peacekeeping mission to help the parties maintain the truce and to keep opposing forces apart.
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The Council can take measures to enforce its decisions. It can impose economic sanctions or order an arms embargo. On rare occasions, the Council has authorized Member States to use \"all necessary means,\" including collective military action, to see that its decisions are carried out.
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The Council also makes recommendations to the General Assembly on the appointment of a new Secretary-General and on the admission of new Members to the UN.
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WHY DO WE NEED A SECURITY COUNCIL? ALL DECISIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. RECENT EVENTS HAVE PROVED THAT POWERFUL NATIONS ARE USING UNITED NATIONS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.
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IDEALLY, At the UN, all the Member States — large and small, rich and poor, with differing political views and social systems — have a voice and a vote in the process. BUT IS THIS TRUE NOW? I don\'t think so. To me, UN is the most undemocratic organization because it has limited the power of veto to only 5 countries out of 191 member states.
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It is time to scrap the Security Council. All decisions must be taken by vote in the General Assembly with all member states eligible to voice their opinion.