STUDY UNIT 3.2 Flashcards
THE MAIN PURPOSE:
the main purpose of the United Nations is the maintenance of international peace and security.
THE ORGANS CHARGED WITH THIS TASK ARE:
-the Security Council
-the General Assembly
-the office of the Secretary-General
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
is a plenary body of the United Nations with a secondary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security
-it comprises of all 193 member states and each member has one vote.
DECISIONS ON “IMPORTANT QUESTIONS”:
decisions on “important questions” are to be made by a two-thirds majority vote of members present.
DECISIONS ON “OTHER QUESTIONS”:
decisions on “other questions” are to be made by a majority vote of the members.
ARTICLE 12 OF THE UN CHARTER:
-provides that when a matter is before the Security Council, the General Assembly may not make any recommendations on the matter.
ARTICLE 11(2):
provides that any question on which action is necessary shall be referred to the Security Council
THE SECURITY COUNCIL:
-is an executive body of the United Nations with a primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
-it has 15 members: 5 permanent members and 10 on-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for a period of 2 years.
FIVE PERMANENT MEMBER STATES:
- China
- Russia
- France
- the United Kingdom
- the United States
VETO POWER?
the veto power vested in the five permanent member states.
ARTICLE 27(3):
-provides that decisions on procedural matters in the Security Council are to be made by an affirmative vote of 9.
CHAPTER 6:
empowers the Security Council to address disputes that in its judgement do not threaten international peace
CHAPTER 7:
where there is a threat and economic sanctions, or the use of force is imposed to maintain international peace.
ARTICLE 25:
obliges member states to carry out decisions of the Security Council as opposed to recommendations not applicable to Chapter 6
