Mujrim duniya dekhrahihaibaitul-abyaz ki zanjeer, Lagnelagihaisaari duniya panchkhudaon ki jaageer. (The world steeped in transgression, gazes the shackles of the ‘White House’, It seems that the world has turned into the ‘manor of five gods’.)
Sarfaraz ‘Bazmi’s verse vividly captures the essence of the United Nations Organisation’s (UNO) current state. Established in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, the UNO aimed to prevent future conflicts and foster international peace and prosperity. However, beneath its lofty aspirations lies a stark reality marred by the disproportionate influence of a select few, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council. This imbalance raises concerns about the UNO’s efficacy and equitable representation.
Current Structure of the UNO
The UNO comprises sovereign nations, with organs like the General Assembly, Security Council, and others serving distinct functions while upholding member states’ sovereignty. The Security Council, consisting of five permanent and ten non-permanent members, holds significant power in ensuring international security.
Power Dynamics
The power dynamics within the UNO are heavily influenced by the veto power wielded by the five permanent members of the Security Council. This power allows them to unilaterally block substantive resolutions, often undermining collective decision-making and equality principles.
Veto: The Big Five
The Security Council, conceived to ensure global peace and security, grants significant powers to its permanent members, reflecting geopolitical realities. The veto power requires unanimity among the Big Five for substantive matters, impacting the effectiveness and legitimacy of the UNO’s decision-making process.
Examples of Abuse of Veto Power
Numerous instances illustrate the abuse of veto power by the permanent members to further their own agendas, undermining justice and human rights principles. For example, the recent misuse of veto power by the United States in the UNO’s Security Council highlights a troubling pattern that perpetuates impunity and injustice globally.
Effect of Veto on UN Mandates and Operations
The interests of the permanent members significantly shape UN mandates and resolutions, often reflecting their geopolitical agendas. This imbalance marginalizes smaller and less powerful nations, hindering collective decision-making and perpetuating inequality within the UNO.
Implications and Consequences
The dominance of the permanent members within the UNO poses profound implications for global governance and international relations, perpetuating a hierarchical world order. Initiating substantive reforms to counteract this imbalance and foster inclusivity is imperative to ensure a more democratic and effective UNO.
Wrapping-up
Until substantive reforms are implemented to address the disproportionate influence of the permanent members, the UNO remains ensnared in the shadow of the “five gods,” sacrificing humanity for their vested interests.
[The writer is Assistant Secretary, Jamaat-E-Islami Hind]