United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Why in news?

• During the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, Russia expressed its support for India, becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

About United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

• The UNSC Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
• The other 5 organs of the United Nations are:
  • General Assembly
  • Trusteeship Council
  • Economic and Social Council
  • International Court of Justice
  • Secretariat
• It is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• The UNSC headquarters is in New York City.

Members:

• It consists of 15 members — five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
• The five permanent members are the US, UK, Russia, China and France.
• Every year, five non-permanent members are elected for tenure of two years.
• To be elected as a non-permanent member of the council, each member-country requires a two-third majority of the entire assembly.
• The council's presidency rotates every month among its 15 members.

Voting:

• The permanent members of the UNSC have a veto power.
  • This veto allows any of these five countries to block the adoption of a resolution
• Unlike permanent members of the council, the non-permanent members do not have veto power.
  • However, they have “collective right of veto” — any resolution of the UNSC has to be passed by at least seven non-permanent members even if all the permanent members support it.

India and UNSC:

• India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August 2021.
  • This will be the country’s first presidency during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
• India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times since 1950-51 (including the current term).

Responsibilities and Powers of the UNSC:

• If there is a security crisis anywhere in the world, the matter is brought before the UNSC and they try to reach an agreement either through mediation, appointing special envoys, dispatching a UN Mission or requesting the UN Secretary-General to settle the dispute.
• If the matter escalates, ceasefire directives are issued and peacekeeping forces and military observers dispatched.
• Furthermore, if the circumstances are very dire then sanctions and financial penalties are imposed, arms embargoed, and travel bans can also be issued.
• It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
• Under the UN Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council s decisions.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding ‘United Nations Security Council’:

1. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

2. A resolution of the UNSC has to be passed by at least seven non-permanent members even if all the permanent members support it.

3. To be elected as a non-permanent member of the council, each member-country requires a two-third majority of the entire assembly

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer