UN Security Council - Membership, Powers and Functions

In the 1945 San Francisco conference, the need for an organization to maintain international peace and security was realized and such organ was set up through Article 7 of The Charter of the United Nations.

The Security Council is one of the six principal organs of United Nations which performs the duty of ensuring international peace and security. Security Council is a very powerful international organization that has powers to form peacekeeping operations, authorizing international military actions, enacting international sanctions, issue of binding regulations on members, giving recommendations on admission of new members in the General Assembly, giving approval on changes to the United Nations Charter etc.

Security Council comprises of 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members and rest of the countries representing as members. 5 permanent members are United States of America, Russia, France, China and United Kingdom. Non permanent members serve on rotational basis based on different regional classifications and are elected by the General Assembly. The term starts from 1st of January. A non-permanent members required two-third majority of votes in the General Assembly and a retiring member cannot be re-elected.

One country serves as President of the Security Council which has the power to issue presidential statements. The President also presides over meetings, creates agendas and watch over crisis. Every country is required to have one permanent representative to the Security Council since emergency meeting too are held at times. Article 29 of the Charter allows the Security Council to form subsidiary bodies for facilitation of different projects and initiatives. United Nations Security Council by far has formed:

1. The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, also referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

2. International Criminal Court for Rwanda.

3. Security Council Committee on Admission of New Members.

Permanent and Non-Permanent membership remains a controversial topic as with growing changes in the 21st century, a need for deeper and broader representation and avoidance of monopoly is realized. The membership vacancies need to be expanded. Decisions are taken in the Security Council through casting of 1 undividable vote by each members and passing or falling of resolutions. This includes an extra power of veto which is exercised by 5 permanent members. Veto is a negative vote. If any permanent member vetoes a bill, it shall not be passed which makes consent of permanent members necessary for passing of a bill/matter. The President of the Security Council presents a statement before the Council before the matte is put to vote explaining whether the matter is important or procedural. However, these decisions of the President can be vetoed.

The most important and basic goal of United Nations is international peace and security. United Nations gives a platform to its members to peacefully sort out differences to avoid war which is always the greater good. Wars never benefit anyone. Security Council works specifically to achieve these goals while not interfering in domestic jurisdiction and I internal matters of any country. United Nations acts as a watchman of human rights violations as well by taking action within its jurisdiction. When Security Council acts, it acts on behalf of all its members. Security Council has its own means and ways to maintain and achieve international peace and security that is through negotiations, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements or other peaceful means as found suitable. Security Council a procedure to take action against any member that causes threats to international peace and acts of aggression which is explained in Chapter VII of the Charter:

1. The very first step is to research whether breach of peace or threats to peace or acts of aggression have happened or not. Security Council cannot act before having complete information about the events that have occurred. If they have, Security Council recommends measures best in its view to restore international peace and security.

2. Sending troops is the last resort for any peacekeeping operation. Security Council suggests measures that mostly try to avoid use of military to attain peace and security.

3. In case the above measures are not being applied or taken into consideration seriously, Security Council shall take action through air, water or land forces to ensure peace and security.

4. Security Council can even ask its members to assist in peace and security restoration.