UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – The 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus on Tuesday (April 26) a decision requiring the 5 everlasting members of the Security Council to justify their use of the veto.
The push for reform, which was greeted with applause within the chamber, was revived by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The measure is meant to make veto-holders United States, China, Russia, France and Britain “pay a higher political price” once they use the veto to strike down a Security Council decision, stated an envoy who requested to stay nameless.
It is unclear if the 5 everlasting members will use the veto much less, or extra – as they might suggest controversial texts they know their rivals will veto solely to pressure them to justify their stance publicly.
First proposed greater than two years in the past, the measure gives for the General Assembly to be convened inside 10 working days after a veto “to hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast”, in accordance to the textual content.
Almost 100 international locations joined Liechtenstein in co-sponsoring the reform, together with the United States, Britain and France – a fast rally of help that brought about widespread shock on the UN.
Neither Russia nor China have been among the many sponsors, although. A diplomat from one of many two international locations, who requested not to be named, criticised the transfer, saying it’s going to “divide” the UN even additional.
‘Not directed at Russia’
The measure will “create a new procedure”, stated Liechtenstein’s ambassador Christian Wenaweser, who insisted the proposal is “not against anyone”.
“It is not directed against Russia,” he stated, although the proposal’s revival got here because the Security Council has confirmed incapable of condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, due to Moscow’s veto energy.
From the US perspective, Russia has abused its proper of veto for 20 years and the proposed textual content is meant to treatment the scenario.
Mr Wenaweser stated the textual content aimed to “promote the role of (the) United Nations, to promote multilateralism and to promote the voice of all of us who are not veto holders and who are not on the Security Council on matters of international peace and security”.
The textual content is non-binding, and nothing prevents a rustic that has used its veto from declining to clarify its actions to the General Assembly.
But its utility “will shed light” on using the veto and on the “blockages” inside the Security Council, stated one ambassador, on situation of anonymity.
In addition to its 5 everlasting members, the Security Council additionally has 10 members elected for 2 years, with out the proper of veto.
Among the co-sponsors of the decision have been – as well as to Ukraine – each Japan and Germany, that are hoping to change into everlasting members in a probably enlarged Security Council.
But neither Brazil nor India, two different potential candidates for a everlasting place on the Council, are on the record of co-sponsors obtained by AFP.
