United Nations debate to limit veto power of permanent members
The United Nations is on Tuesday set to debate a provision that would require the 5 permanent members of the body s Security Council the United States_ Russia_ United Kingdom_ France and China to justify invoking their veto powers.
The reform to the Security Council has been floated for years at the United Nations but has regained new traction following Russia s invasion of Ukraine.
Presently_ the 5 permanent countries can veto any resolutions put forth by the Security Council. Meanwhile_ the rotating 10 other countries have no such power.
The veto right of the five permanent members has long been discussed_ but with Russia launching its war on Ukraine_ which has left thousands of people dead_ the issue has received further attention recently.
The UN Security council has been unable to function in current years when one of its members_ which are expected to be the guarantors of international peace_ uses its veto right for their own interests.
The resolution might be put to a vote on next week. However_ the General Assembly will convene within 10 days when any of the permanent members of the Security council vetoes any resolution_ be suitable to debate the vetoed issue_ If adopted. The resolution isco-sponsored by 57 nations including the US and Turkiye.
When a Permanent Member casts a veto_ that countries should be prepared to explain why the resolution at issue would not have furthered the maintenance of international peace and security_ said US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield in a statement last week.
The UN General Assembly resolution on the veto will be a significant step toward the accountability_ transparency_ and responsibility of all of the Permanent countries of the Security Council who apply its power_ she added.
Russia has been the most user of the veto power. The country has so far vetoed 120 resolutions. The first veto was used by the former Soviet Union in 1946.
Russia's vetoes peaked with the Syrian civil war in 2011_ and China sided with Russia and vetoed many resolutions_ including one on the use of chemical arms in Syria.
Russia is followed by the United States_ which used its veto power the most in the council. The United States has so far vetoed 82 resolutions_ most of them against Israel. The UK and France haven't used their veto power since 1989.
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