The UN

Question 1

Origin and establishment

Answer 1

• Established on 24/10/1945 on initiative by US and UK
• Reason: bring peace to the World and avoid another terrific war
• 1945: 51 countries

Question 2

UN objectives

Answer 2

Art. 1 UN Charter:

• maintenance of International peace and security
• promote respect for human rights
• promote development

Question 3

Principles of the UN

Answer 3

Arts. 2, 102-103 UN Charter:

• sovereign equality
• peaceful settlement of disputes
• prohibition of use of force (BETWEEN states)
• domestic jurisdiction clause
• registration of treaties (avoidance of collusive conclusions)
• UN obligations prevail over other international agreements

Question 4

Membership UN

Answer 4

Arts. 3-4 UN Charter:

• acceptance of UN Charter obligations
• recommendation by UN SC, decision by General Assembly

Art. 5 UN Charter: Suspension
Art. 6 UN Charter: Expulsion

Question 5

Regional groups of UN

Answer 5

• African group
• Asian group
• Eastern European group
• Western European and others group
• Latin American and Caribbean group

Question 6

Structure of the UN

Answer 6

6 principal organs:

• General Assembly
• Security Council
• Ecosoc
• Secretariate
• International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• Trusteeship Council (now defunct)

-> every council can implement sub-councils

Question 7

Financing and privileges

Answer 7

Financing: System of compulsory contributions by all members (Art. 17 UN Charter)

Privileges and immunities: Art. 105 UN Charter, Multilateral Treaty (1946), Headquarter agreements, national legislation

Amendments: Arts. 108-109 UN Charter. Time-consuming and 2/3 majority + 5 permanent members of UN SC

Question 8

Security council: size and composition

Answer 8

Art. 23 UN Charter:

• 15 members
• non-permanent vs. permanent members (US, UK, China, France, Russia)
• non-permanent members elected every two years

Question 9

Function of UN SC

Answer 9

Art. 24-25 UN Charter: Collective Security System

- conferral of responsibility for maintenance of peace and security

Question 10

Decision-making and working methods of UN SC

Answer 10

Art. 27 UN Charter:

• 1 vote per seat
• procedural matters (9 in favour)
• other matters: 9 in favour (incl. 5 permanent) [veto power, double veto (category if procedural or other topic), practice]

Question 11

Criticism on UN SC Procedures and Composition

Answer 11

• balance of power during Cold War represented (e.g. now India, Brazil, Japan, Germany not included)
• > over-representation of European Countries
• many informal consultations, not very transparent

Question 12

Procedural vs. non-procedural/other matters

Answer 12

Procedural matter: e.g. suspension of a member, putting a new item on the agenda

Other matter : topics about maintaining peace and security

Question 13

Relationship between UN and regional organisations

Answer 13

• UN recognises regional organisations, if they aim for similar goals
• UN respects initiatives for mediation/other peace-engaging initiatives
• for enforcement measures (under Chapter VII) against specific state/group authorisation of UN SC must be obtained