Context:

• The UN Security Council has approved a resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses and corridors” in Gaza.

About the UN Resolution: 

• Malta’s Drafted Resolution
  • Calls for humanitarian corridors in Gaza.
  • Urges the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
• Resolution’s Impact: UN resolutions are legally binding but often ignored.
• Vote Outcome: The 15-member council vote was 12-0 in favor of the resolution.
• Abstentions and Reasons
  • US and UK Abstention
    • Due to the resolution’s failure to condemn Hamas’ cross-border attacks on October 7.
  • Russian Abstention
    • Russia abstained because the resolution didn’t demand a humanitarian cease-fire, opposing Israel and the United States.

About UN Security Council

• UN Organ: The UN Security Council is one of the six main organs of the United Nations. It was established by the  UN Charter in 1945. 
  • The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
• Headquater: NewYork
• Primary Responsibility: Maintaining international peace and security.
• Council Composition
  • Membership: Consists of 15 Members (5 permanent, 10 non-permanent).
  • Five permanent members: China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 
  • Non-permanent member: Elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.
    • Five from African and Asian States,
    • One from Eastern European States,
    • Two from Latin American States,
    • Two from Western European and other States.
  • Current Members:  Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates.
  • India’s Membership:
    • India has served seven times in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member and in January 2021, India entered the UNSC for the eighth time.
  • Voting: Each Member has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
  • Veto: A “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.
• Presidency: The Security Council has a rotating Presidency, changing every month. (alphabetical Order).

News Source: The Hindu