United Nations

Question 1

Formation of the UN

Answer 1

at San Francisco on 24th October, 1945

Question 2

Objectives

Answer 2

Stated within the preamble of the UN Charter

1) Maintain international peace and security - take collective measures to prevent and remove threats to peace, suppress aggression and other breaches of it
2) Develop friendly relations among nations - based on respect for equal rights and self-determination of the people
3) Achieve international cooperation - to solve international economic, social, cultural or humanitarian issues, and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
4) Centre for harmonizing the actions of nations - to attain these common ends
5) New objectives - disarm, decolonize, develop

Question 3

General Assembly

Answer 3

• Main deliberative organ of the UN

- Resolutions adopted in the assembly determine the work of the UN

Question 4

General Assembly - composition

Answer 4

• All UN members
• A country can have 5 representatives but only one vote
• President, 21 vice presidents and chairmen for the Assembly’s six committees elected at the start of each regular session
• Presidency rotates between the five groups of states to ensure equal geographical representation

Question 5

General Assembly - Powers and Functions

Answer 5

1) Consider and make recommendations on the principle of international cooperation - for maintenance of international peace and security
2) Discuss and make recommendations on questions within the scope of the Charter or affecting the powers and functions of any UN organ
3) Initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political, social and economic cooperation
4) Consider and approve the budget of the UN and apportion contributions among members

Question 6

Security Council

Answer 6

• Executive body of the UN
• primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security
• Functions continuously
• A representative of each of its member nation must be present at all times at the UN HQ

Question 7

Security Council - Composition

Answer 7

• 15 members
• 5 permanent members - CFRBU
• Regional representation of non-permanent members as
  (i) Afro-Asian countries - 5
  (ii) Latin American countries - 2
  (iii) West European and other countries - 2
  (iv) East European countries - 1

Question 8

Security Council - Powers and Functions

Answer 8

1) Maintain international peace and security - in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN
2) Investigate any disputes or situation which may lead to international friction, and take action against an aggressor
3) Formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments
4) Call members to apply economic sanctions and other measures to prevent or stop aggression, excluding the use of force

Question 9

International Court of Justice

Answer 9

• Principal judicial organ of the UN
• Seat at the Hague, Netherlands
• Has a dual role of (i) settling legal disputes submitted to it by states, in accordance with international law, (ii) giving advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international organs or agencies
• Only member states may apply to and appear before court

Question 10

International Court of Justice - Composition

Answer 10

• 15 members elected to 9-year terms of office by the GA and SC sitting independently of each other
• May not include more than one judge from any nationality
• Members are independent magistrates, not representing their government

Question 11

International Court of Justice - Powers and Functions

Answer 11

1) Sources of applicable law
2) Voluntary jurisdiction
3) Compulsory jurisdiction
4) Advisory opinions
5) Codification of international law

Question 12

Sources of Applicable Law

Answer 12

1) decides cases with accordance to
- international treaties and conventions in force
- general principles of law
- judicial decisions and teachings of highly qualified publicists, as a subsidiary means

Question 13

Voluntary Jurisdiction

Answer 13

competent to entertain a dispute if the States concerned agree to take the issue to it

Question 14

Compulsory Jurisdiction

Answer 14

in the following areas: -
1) when a large number of treaties provide that disputes are submitted to the Court

Compulsory Jurisdiction extends to

1) disputes pertaining to interpretation of international law
2) reparation or the compensation to be made for the breach of international obligation

Question 15

Advisory opinions

Answer 15

1) Advisory procedure is open solely to international organizations
2) Presently, the only bodies authorized to request advisory opinions of the Court are the 5 Organs of the UN and 16 specialized agencies of the UN family

Question 16

Codification of International Law

Answer 16

Examines international conventions, international customs, judicial decisions and general principles of law in the process of codification