United Nations

Question 1

objectives of the UN

Answer 1

1. maintain international peace and security
2. develop friendly relations among nations based on respect of principle of equal rights and self determination of people
3. achieve international cooperation in solving problems and encouraging respect for human rights and freedom
4. to create a centre for harmonising the actions of nations

Question 2

3 new objectives/ motto of UN

Answer 2

disarm, decolonise, develop

Question 3

headquarters of UN

Answer 3

all organs are based in New York, USA, except International court of justice with is in Hague, Netherlands

Question 4

flag of UN and when it was adopted

Answer 4

a polar map of the world embraced by twin olive branches
adopted on October 20, 1947

Question 5

official languages of UN

Answer 5

arabic
chinese
english
french
russain
spanish

Question 6

organs of UN

Answer 6

1. general assembly
2. security council
3. international court of justice
4. economic and social council
5. trusteeship council
6. secretariat

Question 7

composition of general assembly

Answer 7

all members of UN
each state has 5 representatives in general assembly, but each state has 1 vote
regular session begins each year on the third tuesday in september and continues till the third week of december
at the start of each regular session, the assembly elects a new President, 21 vice presidents, Chairmen of the 6 main committees
presidency rotates between five groups: Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Larin America and Caribbean, Western Europe, other states

Question 8

how are special sessions convened in general assembly

Answer 8

by the secretary-general at the request of security council or by a special request by a majority of members

Question 9

decisions taken by two-third majority

Answer 9

election of non permanent members of security council
admission of new members
budgetary issues
suspension or expulsion of members

Question 10

powers and functions of general assembly

Answer 10

1. consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the maintenances of international peace and security
2. discuss any question relating to international peace and security and make recommendations on it
3. discuss and make recommendations on any questions within the scope of the charter or affecting powers and functions of any organ of the UN
4. initiate studies and make recommendations of promote international political, social, economic cooperation
5. to make recommendations for peaceful settlements of disputes
6. receive and consider reports from other organs of the UN
7. consider and approve the budget of the UN and to apportion the contribution among members
8. elect non permanent members of security council, ECOSOC and trusteeship council
9. appoint secretary-general on recommendation of security council

Question 11

composition of security council

Answer 11

consists of 15 members
permanent members- china, france, russia, britain, USA
afro-asian countries- 5
latin american countries- 2
west european and other countries-2
east european countries- 1
all non permanent members elected for term of 2 yrs
retiring member is not eligible for re election

Question 12

veto power

Answer 12

each member of security council has 1 vote
negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto
council is powerless if one of the permanent member vetoes

Question 13

functions of security council

Answer 13

1. maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN
2. investigate dispute or situation which might lead to international friction and take military action against aggressor
3. recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement
4. formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments
5. determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken
6. call on members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression
7. take military action against aggressors
8. recommend the admission of new members
9. recommend to the GA appointment of secretary-general
10. with the GA, elect members of ICJ

Question 14

what did ICJ replace

Answer 14

Permanent Court of International Justice which had functioned in the Peace Palace

Question 15

composition of ICJ

Answer 15

15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by GA and SC
may not include more than one judge from any nationality
elections are held every 3 years for one-third of the seats
retiring judges may be re-elected
members of court do not represent their governments but are independent magistrates
elects its president and vice-president for a three-year term

Question 16

parties of ICJ

Answer 16

only member states may apply to and appear before the court

Question 17

sources of applicable law of ICJ

Answer 17

decides cases in accordance with international treaties and convention in force, international customs, general principles of law, subsidiary means, judicial decisions, and teachings of most highly qualifies publicists

Question 18

voluntary jurisdiction of ICJ

Answer 18

the court is competent to entertain disputes if the states concerned agree to take the issue to it

Question 19

compulsory jurisdiction in ICJ

Answer 19

1. against background that a large number of treaties provide that disputes are submitted to court
2. jursdiction extends to disputes pertaining to interpretation of international law AND reparation/compensation to be made for the breach of international obligation

Question 20

advisory opinions of ICJ

Answer 20

advisory procedure of the court is open solely to international organisations
ony the five organs of UN and 16 specialised agencies are present

Question 21

codification of international law

Answer 21

examines international conventions, international customs, judicial decisions, general principles of law in process of codification