UN Institutions

Question 1

ICC

Answer 1

• cases can only be heard against states that have signed and ratified the Rome Statute, or that have been referred by the UNSC
• membership doesn’t include the USA, Russia, India, China, or Israel
• cases relate to international criminal law, such as crimes against humanity

Question 2

ICJ

Answer 2

• purpose is to settle legal disputes between member states and give advisory opinions on legal questions submitted by authorised agencies
• 15 judges elected by the UNGA for 9yr terms, all independent rather than representing their home state
• both sides of a conflict have to agree the court has jurisdiction for it to hear a case
• in theory ICJ rulings are binding, and if a state doesn’t comply the UNSC is referred to for enforcement, however action is up to the UNSC issuing a resolution
• 2004 ruled that the security fence Israel put around the Palestinian West Bank (where a UNSC resolution calls for Israel to withdraw from) was illegal under international law, but Israel ignores this claiming national security

Question 3

ECOSOC

Answer 3

• responsible for economic security and development across member states, carries out projects to improve development and growth
• includes specialised agencies such as UNESCO, the World Bank, and the IMF
• includes programmes and funds supervised by the UNGA such as WHO, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) (budget over >$5 billion) and World Food Programme (WFP)

Question 4

UNSC Veto hindrance?

Answer 4

• permanent members too powerful, able to veto anything that threatens national interests and prevent action being taken e.g. powerless to act meaningfully in Syria
• permanent members can veto action against themselves e.g. Russia and Crimea in 2014
• powerless to stop powerful countries acting unilaterally e.g. US invasion of Iraq in 2003

Question 5

UNSC Veto useful?

Answer 5

• UNSC does successfully pass many resolutions
• under its Chapter 6 power it can settle disputes peacefully, has authorised 69 peacekeeping mission since 1948
• under Chapter 7 powers it has authorised military action e.g. Libya in 2011, and imposed successful sanctions on regimes posing risk to international security
• allowing powerful states a veto has meant they stayed in the UN and the UNSC remains relevant, without they may leave like in League of Nations