United Nations

Question 1

6. Describe the UN system

Answer 1

It is a global organization comprising various agencies, funds, and programs, aimed at promoting international cooperation and addressing global challenges through collective action among its member states

Question 2

UN origins

Answer 2

After WW2 with nations in ruins, the world wanted peace. Representatives of 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco from April to June of 1945. The Charter was signed on June 26th, 1945 and came into force on 24 October 1945.

Question 3

What is the UNGA?

Answer 3

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
Forum for discussion and policymaking with one vote per member state.

Question 4

What is the UNSC?

Answer 4

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Comprised of 15 members responsible for peace and security, including veto power holders.

Question 5

Secretariat

Answer 5

UN Secretariat
Executes daily UN operations and supports its organs, led by the Secretary-General.

Question 6

What is WHO?

Answer 6

World Health Organization (WHO)
Focuses on global public health, disease outbreaks, emergencies, and health systems.

Question 7

What is UNHCR?

Answer 7

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Aids refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide with shelter and healthcare.

Question 8

Human Rights Council

Answer 8

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
Promotes and protects human rights globally, reviews member states’ records.

Question 9

How many permanent members of the UNSC are there?

Answer 9

5

Question 10

Who has a veto?

Answer 10

China, France, Russia, UK, USA

Question 11

How many non-permanent members cannot veto?

Answer 11

10: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland

Question 12

7. Describe primary issue area of 9 major human rights treaties

Answer 12

1. ICERD
2. ICCPR
3. ICESCR
4. CEDAW
5. CAT
6. CRC
7. ICRMW
8. CED
9. CRPD

Question 13

ICERD

Answer 13

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: Addresses racial discrimination and aims to eliminate it in all forms.

Question 14

ICCPR

Answer 14

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Focuses on civil and political rights, including freedom of speech and fair trial.

Question 15

ICESCR

Answer 15

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Concerns economic, social, and cultural rights like education and health.

Question 16

CEDAW

Answer 16

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women: Targets gender-based discrimination and promotes gender equality.

Question 17

CAT

Answer 17

Convention Against Torture: Addresses torture and aims to prevent cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Question 18

CRC

Answer 18

Convention on the Rights of the Child: Focuses on children’s rights, including protection from violence and exploitation.

Question 19

ICRMW

Answer 19

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers: Concerns the rights of migrant workers against exploitation and discrimination.

Question 20

CED

Answer 20

Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Addresses enforced disappearances and aims to prevent such acts.

Question 21

CRPD

Answer 21

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Focuses on the rights of persons with disabilities, including non-discrimination.

Question 22

What is the concept of “reservation” with regard to these?

Answer 22

Unilateral statement by a state to not be bound by specific treaty provisions.

Question 23

What is the difference between “signature”, “accession”, and “ratification”?

Answer 23

Signature: shows intent to be bound by a treaty, pending ratification.

Accession: state agrees to join a treaty it did not originally sign.

Ratification: formal process where a state confirms consent to be bound by a treaty.

Question 24

What do each of the four (4) Geneva Conventions concern?

Answer 24

All together, concern forces on land, sea, and prisoners.

1st: protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during war with a neutral status

2nd: protects the sick, wounded, and ship-wrecked military personnel at sea during war

3rd: requires humane treatment, food, and relief supplies to prisoners of war + banning pressure on prisoners above providing the min. amount of info required

4th: protects civilians in areas of war and occupied territories

Question 25

What was the League of Nations?

Answer 25

International organization founded in 1920 to maintain world peace after WW1 as outlined in the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 26

Why did the US not join the LoN?

Answer 26

The US Senate decided to not join the League due to concerns about sovereignty and independence.

Question 27

Why did the League fail?

Answer 27

Lack of participation: absence of major powers like the US weakened the League.

Structure ineffective: slow decision-making process and member states’ veto power hindered the League’s effectiveness.

Failure to prevent economic instability: League’s struggle to address economic repercussions of the Great Depression.

Inability to stop conflicts: unable to prevent conflicts like the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and Italian invasion of Ethiopia.