What does the UN security council do?
Although the UN is a multilateral charter with various organs pertaining to different aspects of global development, peace and security, the UN security council (UNSC) is often referred to as the organ which was the direct product of World War II. The body is responsible for maintaining global peace and security, which was the primary reason for the formation of the UN. It strives to maintain international peace, investigates disputes, recommends solutions, calls members to apply economic sanctions and even take military action on aggressors. Apart from this, the council has power to carry out peacekeeping operations. Along with UN general assembly, it also elects the judges of the International Court of Justice. The UN charter authorizes the security council to take action on behalf of the members. These powers are exercised through UNSC resolutions, which are decided by the votes of the members, and hence membership is important. While the other organs of the UN make recommendations to governments, the council alone has the power to take decisions which members are obliged to follow.
Who are the present members?
The council consists of 15 members, five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, which also have the power to veto any proposed resolution — and 10 non-permanent members, each elected for a two-year term, starting on January 1, with five replaced each year. The members are supposed to be chosen in a way that gives fair representation to all regions of the world. Three members are from Africa while Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Western Europe have two members each. Eastern Europe has one member while the Arabs are represented by alternately choosing one Arab country in Asia and Africa. Each council member has one vote and any decision on procedural matters is required to have 9 of the 15 votes. The five permanent members are given great power unanimity often referred to as veto power, which means that if any of these countries veto a resolution it can't get passed by the council even if it has got 9 compulsory votes. India has been elected six times as a non-permanent member of the council. Countries compete for council membership because it gives them the platform to raise issues of their national interest at international level.
How effective is the council?
The veto power is often criticized because it cripples the action of the council. Permanent members often use veto in issues crucial to their close allies. For instance, US has often used veto in council resolutions unfavourable to Israel. Since the cold war, there has been a general decline in the use of the veto and the council has hence become a more effective decision-maker, but it is still criticized for being an exclusive club of the most powerful countries, which only take action to champion their own strategic interests. It is pointed out, for instance, that the UNSC took action to protect Kuwait, which had substantial oil reserves, while it dragged its feet on measures to protect thousands of Rwandans even when the genocide was anticipated. Also, 2003 US-led campaign against Iraq took place even without the permission of the Security Council. On a larger plane, it is felt that considering changes in the world over the last 50 years, the UNSC and the UN structure in general need reform.
What is the reform proposal?
The major issue is regarding expansion of the council and inclusion of non-nuclear permanent members. Apart from this, some critics also propose abolishing permanency. The G4 — Germany, India, Japan and Brazil — are main countries lobbying for a permanent seat in the Security Council. Since 1990s, UN is witnessing a movement which called Uniting for Consensus — a group of 40 countries aiming to counter G4's bids for a permanent seat. This group is lead by Italy, Pakistan, Mexico, Argentina and South Korea
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