United Nations Security Council – Complete Details (2023) | Members of Security Council | Vito Powers of members of United Nations Security Council | Powers of Members of United Nations Security Council| Through this article we come to know about the United Nations Security Council, its members, its functions and powers and about the vito powers of United Nations Security Council Members.
Introduction of UN
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. Its charter was signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945 and came into existence on October 24, 1945 after 51 countries have signed the charter.
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Its predecessor, the League of Nations, created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 was disbanded in 1946. Its mission is to maintain international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It is headquartered in New York, USA.
United Nations Security Council
It has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council is made up of fifteen member states, consisting of five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly on a regional basis. “Veto power” refers to the power of the permanent member to veto (Reject) any resolution of Security Council.
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The unconditional veto possessed by the five governments has been seen as the most undemocratic character of the UN. While other organs of the UN can only make recommendations to member states, the Security Council has the power to make binding decisions on member states.
Powers and Functions of United Nations Security Council
When a dispute leads to hostilities, the Council’s primary concern is to bring them to an end as soon as possible. In that case, the Council may:
Issue ceasefire directives that can help prevent an escalation of the conflict;
Dispatch military observers or a peacekeeping force to help reduce tensions, separate
opposing forces and establish a calm in which peaceful settlements may be sought.
Beyond this, the Council may opt for enforcement measures, including:
Economic sanctions, arms embargoes, financial penalties and restrictions, and travel bans;
Severance of diplomatic relations;
Blockade;
Or even collective military action.
Members of United Nations Security Council
According to the UN Charter, Article 23, “The Security Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations”.
- 5 permanent members with veto power:
- China
- France
- Russian Federation
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
- 10 non-permanent members, five of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a two-year term
- Originally, there were 11 members of the Security Council: 5 permanent and 6 non-permanent members. In 1963, the General Assembly recommended an amendment to the Charter to increase the membership of the Security Council:
- United Nations Security Council has a fixed pattern for geographic representation as follows:
- 5 from African and Asian States
- 1 from Eastern European States
- 2 from Latin American States
- 2 from Western European and other States.
Voting in United Nations Security Council
UN Charter Article 27(3) states that votes in the Security Council on non-procedural matters “shall be made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members”– this is often called the veto power of permanent members.
Types of Membership in Security Council
According to the Charter of United Nations Security Council shall consists of two types of members which includes
- Permanent Members : Which are 5 in numbers
- Non Permanent Members Which are elected for 2 years.
Permanent Members
According to Oppenheim’s International Law : United Nations, “Permanent membership in the Security Council was granted to five states based on their importance in the aftermath of World War II.” Sometimes referred to as the P5, the permanent members of the Security Council have a unique role that has evolved over time.
Non Permanent Members
The membership of the Security Council is one of the most debated aspects of the United Nations. The matter of non-permanent membership has been discussed continually since 1945. In addition to discussions during the drafting of the Charter, the topic has been raised both in and out of formal UN meetings, in informal forums and scholarly articles. The question of the composition of the Security Council has been examined both within the UN in various bodies and by outside organizations, scholars and researchers. Over time, there have been many proposals and positions put forward.
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