Syllabus: GS 2 – Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate.
Context: The Israel-Palestine conflict and its associated humanitarian crisis, coupled with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, have raised significant questions about the United Nations’ continued relevance and its effectiveness in achieving global peace.
Source: The Hindu | Editorial dated 03 November 2023
Application: where to apply?
When asked about – UN Reforms, India’s Membership in the Security Council, UN’s current Relevance.
The United Nations
- The United Nations was established in 1945 after World War II, with 51 founding member states who signed the UN Charter, succeeding the League of Nations.
- Its primary objectives include preventing international conflicts and promoting cooperation among nations.
- The UN is headquartered in New York City, with regional offices in Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi.
- The UN’s Charter outlines its primary aims, which include:
- Preventing future generations from experiencing the horrors of war.
- Reaffirming belief in fundamental human rights.
- Creating conditions that uphold justice and respect for international law.
- Promoting social progress and improving global living standards.
- By 2011, the United Nations had grown to include 193 member states, encompassing nearly all independent countries.
- The UN Security Council consists of five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, representing the victorious and most powerful nations post-World War II.
- The General Assembly and the Security Council have pivotal roles in addressing issues related to war, peace, and conflicts among member states.
- The Secretary-General serves as the most prominent public figure and the chief representative of the United Nations.
- The main organs of the UN include:
- The General Assembly,
- The Security Council,
- The Economic and Social Council,
- The Trusteeship Council,
- The International Court of Justice,
- And The UN Secretariat.
Predecessor of the United Nations: The League of Nations
- The League of Nations, founded in 1920 after World War I, aimed to maintain global peace.
- It emerged from the Paris Peace Conference and sought to prevent future wars through diplomacy and disarmament.
- US President Woodrow Wilson proposed its creation as part of his Fourteen Points peace plan.
- The League had an Assembly, an Executive Council, and a permanent secretariat as its key components.
- Its objectives included disarmament, conflict resolution through diplomacy, and global well-being.
- The League of Nations successfully prevented several minor conflicts and mediated territorial agreements.
- It achieved some success in addressing international conflicts and attempted to intervene in disputes between and within states, not limited to territorial issues.
- The League of Nations failed to prevent World War II and ceased functioning during the war.
- The League’s assets and materials, including its archives, were transferred to the United Nations, which succeeded it.
- The UN has a shared lineage with the League of Nations in terms of purpose, structure, and functions.
- Many of the UN’s main organs and affiliated agencies were adapted from earlier structures.
- However, the UN stands out due to its unique focus on maintaining international peace and security.
The United Nations and India.
- Founding Member of the United Nations: India joined the UN in October 1945, two years prior to gaining independence from British colonial rule.
- Advocating for Global Issues: In 1946, India began expressing concerns at the UN regarding disarmament, colonialism, and racial discrimination, signaling its early engagement in global affairs.
- Leading Anti-Colonial and Anti-Apartheid Efforts: India played a prominent role in the UN’s efforts against colonialism and apartheid during tumultuous periods in the organization’s history.
- UNSC Representation a Foreign Policy Priority: India’s representation in the UN Security Council has been a significant aspect of its foreign policy, reflecting its commitment to global diplomacy.
- Seven Terms on the UNSC: India has served seven terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, underlining its active participation in international security matters.
- Key Participation in UN Milestones: India was among the select nations signing the UN Declaration in January 1942 and participating in the historic UN Conference on International Organizations in San Francisco from April to June 1945.
- Pioneering Peacekeeping Contributions: As a liberal democracy, India boasts a distinguished history of contributing more personnel to UN peacekeeping operations than any other country.
- Impressive Peacekeeping Legacy: Since 1948, approximately 244,500 Indian peacekeepers have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions deployed globally.
The UN’s Contribution as a Global Institution
The United Nations has made significant contributions in various areas:
- Leading Decolonization Efforts: The UN played a pivotal role in the decolonization process, assisting around 80 colonies in achieving their independence, promoting self-determination, and ending colonial rule.
- Membership Expansion: After the decolonization wave in the 1960s, the UN saw a substantial increase in its membership, doubling from about 50 members, reflecting its growing global influence.
- Expanding Beyond States: The UN has evolved to involve not only nation-states but also various segments of civil society, including experts, intellectuals, and media.
- Successful Long-Term Existence: The UN has achieved longevity and sustainability, in contrast to the League of Nations, which dissolved after World War I.
- Preventing World War III: The UN’s peacekeeping efforts have been instrumental in preventing a global conflict on the scale of World War III, contributing to international stability and security.
- Successful Conflict Mediation: The UN has effectively mediated several conflicts and prevented others from escalating, contributing to global peace and security.
- Notable Peacekeeping Operations: Successful UN Peacekeeping missions include Cambodia (1992-1993), Mozambique (1992-1994), El Salvador (1991-1995), and Guatemala (1997-1997).
- Aid to Crisis-Affected Populations: The UN provides crucial humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises around the world.
- Rohingya Refugee Support: The UN played an essential role in providing aid to Rohingya refugees who fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh, alleviating their suffering.
- Specialized Agencies: Specialized UN agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO have been instrumental in advancing economic and social development in numerous nations.
- Poverty Reduction and Social Services: These agencies have contributed to reducing poverty, promoting education, and improving healthcare, thus enhancing the overall well-being of populations in various nations.
The United Nations and Israel – Palestine Conflict
- The UN has been actively involved in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the UN Security Council adopting numerous resolutions related to the issue.
- The UN played a pivotal role in the early history of the conflict, including the adoption of a partition plan for Palestine in 1947.
- It has supported Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and facilitated political discussions via various UN committees and divisions.
- The UN has sponsored peace negotiations between the parties, such as the 2002 Road map for peace.
- There have been instances of contentious resolutions and disagreements in the UN, such as the U.S. veto of a 2011 resolution condemning Jewish settlements and the 2012 report on Israeli settlements leading to potential International Criminal Court action.
- After Palestine’s admission as a non-member state in 2012, the conflict may come under the jurisdiction of the International Court.
- Israel has expressed reluctance to cooperate with UN investigations and criticized the UN’s approach to the conflict as one-sided and biased.
Assessing the Effectiveness of the UN: Is It Failing the Global Community?
- Enforcement Challenges: A recurring criticism of the UN is its limited ability to enforce mandates, as its effectiveness depends on member states’ cooperation, and resolutions are often considered recommendations.
- Security Council Inaction: The Security Council’s veto power, held by P-5 nations, impedes action on various international conflicts, leading to frequent inaction and deadlock.
- Western Dominance: Despite emphasizing inclusivity, the UN is perceived as Western-oriented, with European and American interests often prevailing in decision-making processes.
- Financial Constraints: The UN faces financial constraints, with member states falling behind in their contributions, impacting the organization’s ability to carry out critical operations.
- US and Trump Era: The Trump administration’s isolationist approach and withdrawal from key UN bodies and agreements strained the UN’s reliability and credibility.
- Israeli Occupation: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, with issues of occupation, settlements, and the use of veto power in the Security Council contributing to the ongoing dispute.
- Kashmir Dispute: The Kashmir conflict continues with human rights abuses, and UN resolutions on the issue remain unimplemented.
- Cambodia Violence: The UN’s recognition of the Khmer Rouge regime, despite human rights concerns, raised questions about its effectiveness.
- Somali Civil War: The UN peacekeeping mission in Somalia failed due to the lack of government cooperation and attacks against UN officers, resulting in civilian deaths.
- Rwandan Civil War: The UN’s response to the Rwandan genocide faced criticism as UN troops were unable to prevent the brutal violence.
- Srebrenica Massacre: The Srebrenica massacre highlighted the UN’s inability to protect civilians in a declared safe zone during the Bosnian conflict.
- Iraq Invasion: UN Resolution 1483 attempted to legitimize the Iraq invasion, which was based on false claims about Weapons of Mass Destruction.
- Syrian Civil War: Russia’s use of veto power in the Security Council hindered UN resolutions addressing the Syrian conflict, contributing to a humanitarian crisis.
- South Sudan Conflict: UN peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan have not prevented a humanitarian crisis and displacement of millions.
- Yemen Civil War: The UN has struggled to deliver humanitarian aid in Yemen amid a Saudi-led coalition’s intervention.
- Rohingya Crisis: The UN’s response to the Rohingya crisis faced challenges, including China’s support for Myanmar and a lack of Security Council action.
The UN’s Gradual Decline
- The end of the Cold War led to the demise of the Soviet Union and chaos in the 1990s.
- During this period, the U.S. and its allies could act within or outside the UN as they pleased.
- The UNSC, with veto powers intact, does not offer hope for addressing conflicts where the permanent five’s national interests’ conflict.
- Post-Cold War, the UN’s ability to resolve conflicts has steadily declined.
- The Israel crisis is an example of the UN’s ineffectiveness in recent decades.
- Major powers’ severe differences have rendered the UN incapable of taking meaningful action.
- UN Security Council was Unable to Pass Resolution for Resolving Ukraine Crisis Due to Russian Veto.
- Despite a year of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the UN has been ineffective in halting the hostilities or facilitating a ceasefire.
- Recently, 128 countries supported a UN resolution for a ‘humanitarian pause’ in Gaza, but major powers couldn’t agree on a ceasefire.
Strategies for a More Relevant and Effective Future
- Security Council Reform: Improve inclusivity, representation, transparency, and effectiveness of the Security Council.
- Global Threat Prioritization: Give priority to pressing global challenges like climate change, infectious diseases, and nuclear disarmament.
- Coordinated UN Response: Create a unified platform for UN agencies and organizations to coordinate their responses.
- Preventing U.S.-China Tensions: Encourage cooperation between the U.S. and China within the UN framework to prevent a divisive rivalry.
- Rebuilding UN Legitimacy: Focus on enhancing representation and effectiveness, particularly from the East and South in UN bodies.
- Revitalize UN’s Global Role: Strengthen the UN’s capacity to address global issues, with a focus on sustainable development and human rights.
- Embrace Regional Players: Recognize the significance of regional organizations in global peace and security efforts.
- Addressing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Strive for a more equitable and effective approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Ensuring Ongoing Relevance: Reassess the roles of international organizations, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expanding Security Council Membership: Focus on aligning the Security Council with contemporary geopolitical dynamics and strengthening regional inclusion. India’s candidacy for membership deserves careful consideration in light of its significant contributions to the United Nations.
- Innovative and Collective Actions: Encourage innovative and collective approaches to tackle global challenges while upholding the UN Charter’s values of peace, security, human rights, and equality.
Conclusion
The United Nations faces a critical juncture. To ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness, it must embark on a path of reform and adaptation. Prioritizing global challenges, fostering cooperation among major powers, and enhancing inclusivity are key steps toward a more resilient and responsive UN. The organization’s ability to address emerging threats and seize opportunities will be crucial in shaping a better future for the world.