How Effective is the United Nations (UN) in Conflict Mitigation

Context:

This editorial is based on the news “How effective is the UN in conflict mitigation” which was published in the Pioneer. From structural drawbacks to the intertwined interests of its members, the United Nations (UN) faces myriad obstacles in its quest for global harmony.

History of the United Nations

The League of Nations, established after World War I (1914-1919), aimed to prevent future wars but ultimately failed to prevent World War II (1939-1945), leading to the creation of the United Nations.

About the United Nations 

• The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945. 
• Members:  193 Member States.
  • All UN Member States are members of the General Assembly. 
  • States are admitted to membership by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
• Main Bodies: General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat. All were established under the UN Charter when the Organization was founded in 1945.
• UN Charter: The Charter of the United Nations is the founding document of the United Nations.
  • It was signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and came into force on 24 October 1945.

What Are the Main Criticisms of the United Nations?

• Security Council Imbalances: The composition of the UN Security Council, with permanent members holding veto power, has been criticised for reflecting the power dynamics of the post-World War II era. 
  • This setup can lead to paralysis when there are conflicting interests among major powers.
• India’s seat at UNSC: Despite demonstrated qualifications by countries like India for permanent UNSC membership, the exclusive nature of the club remains a subject of ongoing debates surrounding issues of fairness and representation.
  • The UNSC has long been criticised for its exclusive permanent membership limited to five nations.
• Veto power and power imbalances among its permanent members:  often impede decisive action, as seen in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine dispute, highlighting the organisation’s limitations in addressing geopolitical crises effectively.
• Financial Dependence: Reliance of the UN on member states for military contributions.
• Absence of a standing UN military force: resulted in delays and compromises in responding promptly to crises, as evident in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• UN’s dependence on member states for peacekeeping missions:  can lead to delays and compromises in crisis responses, as illustrated by the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Lack of Preventive Action: The UN has been criticised for sometimes not being proactive in preventing conflicts, with interventions often occurring after crises have escalated.

Conclusion

Addressing structural issues within the Security Council, enhancing peacekeeping capabilities, and promoting diplomatic solutions are imperative for the UN to adapt to the demands of a complex global landscape. 

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