Should permanent membership, veto powers of the UNSC be abolished?, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• France has proposed regulating the UN Security Council (UNSC) veto in humanitarian crises, building on the French-Mexican initiative from 2015.
• This initiative advocates for P5 members to voluntarily refrain from using the veto in cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
• Currently, 128 states support this declaration, with the United Kingdom joining France as the second P5 member to commit to voluntary restraint.
• The Liechtenstein initiative, adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022, mandates a UNGA debate within 10 working days whenever a veto is cast.
• The ACT code of conduct encourages all UNSC members to not vote against credible action to prevent mass atrocities.

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Detailed Insights:

• The French proposal, articulated by President Emmanuel Macron, is a renewed push for self-restraint rather than an attempt to amend the UN Charter.
• The commitment of two P5 members (France and UK) adds significant political momentum to the voluntary restraint principle.
• Historically, a similar 'code of good conduct' was proposed by then-French President Francois Hollande in 2013 following the Syrian civil war and chemical attacks.
• The veto power, though not explicitly mentioned in the UN Charter, was established to ensure the survival of the international organization by not acting against major powers' interests.
• The Liechtenstein initiative aims to increase accountability by requiring the vetoing P5 member to explain and defend its action before the UNGA.
• These initiatives represent pragmatic, reformist approaches to address veto concerns without requiring the difficult process of UN Charter amendment.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UN Security Council (UNSC): Primary UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with 15 members (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent).
• Veto Power: The right of the five permanent members of the UNSC to reject any substantive resolution, regardless of the level of international support.
• P5 (Permanent Five): The five permanent members of the UNSC: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• UN General Assembly (UNGA): The main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations, comprising all 193 member states.
• UN Charter: The foundational treaty of the United Nations, establishing its purposes, principles, and organizational structure.