UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

This article has discussed about the Concept of United Nations Security Council including composition of Security Council, voting system and functions of the Security Council 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principal organs of the United Nations (UN) and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Chapter V of the Charter consisting of Articles 23 to 27 lays down the provisions relating to Security Council. It is composed of 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

 

2. COMPOSITION OF SECURITY COUNCIL

 

The Council originally consisted of eleven members, but it was enlarged to fifteen members in 1965 in accordance with an amendment to the Charter. Out of these, five are permanent members, often referred to as the "P5," and ten are non-permanent members. The name of five permanent member are mentioned under Article 13, Para 1 of the Charter. Here is the composition of the Security Council:

I. PERMANENT MEMBERS (P5):

 

• a.China: China is one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. It became a permanent member in 1971, replacing the Republic of China (Taiwan).

• b.France: France has been a permanent member since the establishment of the Security Council in 1945.

• c.Russia: Russia is a permanent member and holds the seat formerly occupied by the Soviet Union, which was an original member of the Security Council.

• d.United Kingdom: The United Kingdom has been a permanent member since the establishment of the Security Council.

• e.United States: The United States is a permanent member and has been since the inception of the Security Council.

 

II. NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS:

 

The remaining ten seats are occupied by non-permanent members, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The distribution of these seats is divided among regional groups. The current non-permanent members for the 2022-2023 term are:

 

•         ·        Estonia

•         ·        India

•         ·        Ireland

•         ·        Kenya

•         ·        Mexico

•         ·        Niger

•         ·        Norway

•         ·        Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

•         ·        Tunisia

•         ·        Vietnam

 

The non-permanent members are elected according to geographical representation, with seats allocated to different regions: Africa (3 seats), Asia-Pacific (2 seats), Latin America and the Caribbean (2 seats), Western Europe and Others (2 seats), and Eastern Europe (1 seat).

 

It's important to note that the composition of the Security Council is subject to change as non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms.

3. VOTING SYSTEM:

 

The voting system of the United Nations Security Council is defined by its charter and is designed to ensure that decisions are made with the consensus of the Council's permanent and non-permanent members. The Security Council is composed of 15 member states, with five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

 

When it comes to voting on substantive matters, each member of the Security Council has one vote (Article 27, Para 1). However, the five permanent members possess the power of veto, which means that any of them can block a decision, regardless of the level of support from other members (Article 27, Para 3). This veto power is a significant aspect of the Council's decision-making process and can make it challenging to pass resolutions when there is disagreement among the permanent members.

 

To pass a substantive resolution, the general rule is that it must receive at least nine affirmative votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members, assuming none of the permanent members exercises their veto power. This is known as the "positive vote" or "affirmative vote" rule.

 

In addition to the voting requirements for substantive matters, the Security Council has different voting procedures for procedural matters, such as the election of officers or the adoption of its own rules of procedure. These procedural matters typically require a simple majority of the members present and voting.

 

It is important to note that the Security Council's decision-making process often involves extensive negotiations, consultations, and efforts to reach consensus among its members. This is due to the significance of the Council's decisions in matters of international peace and security, and the aim to achieve broad support and legitimacy for its actions.

 

4. EXPANSION OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

 

The expansion of the membership of the United Nations Security Council has been a topic of discussion and debate for many years. The current composition of the Security Council, with five permanent members and ten non-permanent members, has remained unchanged since the establishment of the UN in 1945. Calls for expansion are primarily aimed at making the Council more representative, inclusive, and reflective of the contemporary global order. However, any changes to the Security Council's membership would require an amendment to the UN Charter, which is a complex and politically challenging process.

 

There are different proposals and ideas regarding the expansion of the Security Council. Some of the common proposals include:

 

• a.   Adding permanent members: Many countries argue for an increase in the number of permanent members to reflect the current global power dynamics more accurately. The most common candidates for permanent seats are Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, collectively known as the G4 nations. Other countries, such as South Africa and Nigeria, have also expressed interest in permanent membership.

• b.   Adding non-permanent members: Another proposal is to increase the number of non-permanent seats to provide more equitable representation across different regions of the world. This could involve expanding the existing regional groups or creating new regional categories.

• c.   Regional representation: Some proposals suggest allocating specific seats for regional organizations, such as the African Union or the European Union, to enhance regional representation and give more voice to regional concerns.

 

However, reaching a consensus on the specific details of expansion, such as the number and selection of new members, has proven challenging. The existing permanent members, who hold veto power, have varying stances on expansion, as it would potentially dilute their influence. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential impact on decision-making efficiency and the Council's effectiveness if its membership becomes too large and diverse.

 

 

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

 

The primary functions of the Security Council are outlined in Chapter V of the UN Charter. Its main responsibilities include:

 

i) Peacekeeping and conflict resolution

 

The Security Council plays a crucial role in authorizing and overseeing peacekeeping operations in regions affected by armed conflict. It can establish peacekeeping missions, negotiate ceasefires, and take measures to resolve conflicts peacefully.

 

ii) Imposition of sanctions

 

The Security Council has the power to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on states or entities that threaten international peace and security. Sanctions can include arms embargoes, travel bans, and financial restrictions.

 

iii) Authorization of the use of force

 

In situations where peaceful means are deemed inadequate, the Security Council can authorize military action to address threats to international peace and security. This authority is vested in the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

 

iv) Settlement of disputes

 

The Security Council can assist in the peaceful settlement of disputes between countries through negotiation, mediation, or other diplomatic means. It may also recommend methods of resolution or refer cases to the International Court of Justice.

 

v) Membership and procedural matters

 

The Security Council is responsible for determining its own membership and rules of procedure. It holds regular meetings and discussions to address specific issues and concerns related to international peace and security.

 

Decisions of the Security Council require the affirmative votes of at least nine of its 15 members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. The veto power held by the permanent members allows them to block any substantive resolution, even if it has the support of the majority of the Council.

 

The Security Council's authority and effectiveness have been subject to debate, particularly regarding the structure and veto power of its permanent members. There have been calls for reform to make it more representative and responsive to the changing global landscape. However, any reform would require an amendment to the UN Charter, which requires the approval of two-thirds of the General Assembly and the consent of all five permanent members.

 

6. CONCLUSION

 

Security Council is a principal organ of the United Nations. It having wider functions and responsibilities. The Security Council is necessary to safeguard international peace and security, promote collective action, resolve conflicts, protect vulnerable populations, uphold international law, and ensure coordinated global responses to crises. Its existence and functions contribute to a more stable and secure world.