Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate.
Context
By being reduced to ‘bystander’ status in the ongoing and serious conflicts in the world, the United Nations is frittering away the dividends of its ‘enforceable peacekeeping’.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 23October 2024
The world needs blue helmets who act as blue helmets
“Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander” – Yehuda Bauer
The United Nations, through its Charter, is committed to peaceful settlement of disputes and, where necessary, enforcement of peace using military and police forces. However, despite a strong framework for peacekeeping, the UN has often been criticized for failing to prevent atrocities, most recently in conflicts such as Ukraine and Gaza.
UN Peacekeeping Force
- Established Purpose:
The UN peacekeeping force was established to help countries navigate the transition from conflict to peace, based on the principles of impartiality, non-use of force (except in self-defense), and consent of the parties. - Global Presence:
The UN maintains over 100,000 peacekeepers (military, police, and civilian personnel) deployed in various missions across the world, primarily in conflict zones like Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. - Key Functions:
- Preventing Conflict: Deployed to prevent the outbreak of conflict, often acting as a buffer between warring parties.
- Peacebuilding: In post-conflict areas, peacekeepers help build and stabilize institutions, ensuring long-term peace.
- Protection of Civilians: Peacekeepers prioritize protecting vulnerable populations, including women, children, and displaced communities, from violence.
- Supporting Humanitarian Efforts: They assist in facilitating humanitarian aid, including food, medical care, and shelter in war-torn regions.
Limitations of UN Peacekeeping Force
- Restricted Mandates: Peacekeepers often have restricted mandates, limiting their ability to act decisively in conflicts.
- Veto Power in the Security Council: The veto power of P5 members (e.g., Russia, U.S.) often impedes swift decision-making and deployment of forces in crucial conflicts.
- Funding and Resources: Peacekeeping missions face financial constraints and lack adequate resources, affecting their efficiency.
Challenges in Recent Conflicts
- Ukraine Conflict:
- Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UN’s peacekeeping forces have been criticized for not intervening effectively to protect civilians despite having 100,000 troops available.
- Gaza and West Bank:
- The UN’s inaction during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has led to significant civilian casualties.
- The failure to deploy troops between the warring forces has been compared to the UN’s past successes in Cyprus and Timor Leste.
- Missed Opportunity for Intervention:
- The UN had a chance to deploy peacekeepers in both Ukraine and Gaza, but half of the 100,000 forces could have been redeployed without severely impacting existing missions.
Lessons from Successful Peacekeeping Missions
- Kosovo and Timor Leste: In Kosovo, 6,000 peacekeepers restored peace between warring factions, while 3,000 UN police and an Australian infantry brigade helped stabilize Timor Leste.
- Effective Use of Force: In these missions, peacekeepers were granted the authority to use reasonable force, restoring peace and rule of law.
- This demonstrates the importance of empowering UN troops with full executive powers to act decisively.
- Need for Decisive Action: Extraordinary situations demand robust interventions.
- The success of past missions shows that well-armed peacekeepers, if deployed effectively, can prevent further loss of life and restore order.
Solutions for Improving UN Peacekeeping
- Expanding and Clarifying Mandates:
- Broader Mandates: Provide peacekeepers with clearer and broader mandates that allow them to act decisively when needed, including authorization for offensive operations in extreme cases.
- Flexible Intervention: Allow flexibility in mandates to adapt to evolving on-ground situations, ensuring that peacekeepers can prevent or mitigate escalation in conflicts.
- Reforming the Security Council Veto Power:
- Regulating Veto Use: Limit the use of veto power in cases of mass atrocities, war crimes, or genocides to prevent the obstruction of crucial peacekeeping missions.
- Weighted Voting System: Introduce a division of votes system in the Security Council (e.g., P7 with a majority vote), allowing for quicker decisions on peacekeeping interventions.
- Increasing Funding and Resource Allocation:
- Sustainable Funding Mechanism: Establish dedicated funds for peacekeeping missions, possibly through assessed contributions from all member states, ensuring financial stability and resource adequacy.
- Enhanced Equipment and Training: Provide peacekeepers with modern equipment, advanced technology, and regular training to improve their operational efficiency.
Conclusion
The UN’s failure to act decisively in recent conflicts underscores the need for reform. Despite having a peacekeeping force of over 100,000, the UN has been reduced to a bystander due to systemic challenges, including the veto power of the P5. Expanding the Security Council, reducing reliance on vetoes, and empowering peacekeepers with full authority can restore the UN’s ability to enforce peace and protect civilian lives. If the UN cannot act effectively with its resources, its role as a peacekeeper will become increasingly irrelevant.
Related PYQ
Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2015]
Practice Question
Examine the role of the United Nations in peacekeeping. Discuss the challenges it faces in recent conflicts and suggest reforms for improving its effectiveness. [250 words]
Guidelines for Answering the Question
- Introduction:
- Introduce the role of the United Nations in global peacekeeping.
- Mention recent criticisms regarding its failures in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza.
- Body:
- Explain the provisions in the UN Charter (Chapters VI, VII, VIII) regarding peacekeeping.
- Highlight successful missions like Kosovo, Timor Leste, and Mozambique.
- Discuss the limitations in the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts, including the UN’s inability to intervene decisively.
- Highlight the issue of veto power and insufficient troop deployment.
- Suggest expanding the UN Security Council and reducing the use of veto power.
- Recommend empowering peacekeepers with full authority to act and redeploying troops as needed.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the importance of UN peacekeeping and the need for reforms to ensure timely and effective interventions in global conflicts.