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... nent members from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Other countries feel that the role of peace-keeping legitimizes a countries acceptance in the Security Council, however, this has been difficult for both Germany and Japan. This proposal if past would see the leading nations in charge of global affairs being on the permanent seats, emphasizing the need for other nation to develop in order to become The proposal of the many developing countries look at the expansion of the Security Council so that each region will have representation. This has brought the question to raise the number of members within the Council from 15 to somewhere between 20 and 25 in order to allow for effective dialogue and decision making. (11) The main proposals on the expansion agree that the right to veto should not be extended beyond the five permanent members as this could cause the Security Council to become unmanageable. This expansion of the Council will further help to improve the decision making and balance out the regional representation.
This expansion would also better represent the UNs close to 200 members. Different proposals look at the number of members are allowed in the permanent and non- permanent seats in the Council. The question arises as to which countries meet the criteria and will get a permanent seat and it is this question that has created problems for the General Assembly. With Germany and Japan regarded as the prime contenders for a position, other countries like India, South Africa, Brazil and Nigeria have been pushing for their chance to enter the Security Council. (12) These countries are facing problems and opposition from other co-regionalisms in that countries like Pakistan will never accept India as a member nor would Argentina allow for Brazil to become a member. (13) The process of reform will not be without complications but still most countries agree that the Security Council needs to allow for the expansion of its membership to greater compliment the changes in the world Proposals have not only looked at the expansion of the Security Council but also at the several states have chosen to look at reforming the veto right.
Various propositions have come forth dealing with the freezing or removing of the veto right all together. Changes are being sought to as how a country can use their right to veto as well as reviewing veto's that may have contradicted the position of other countries. Because the existing permanent members would be unlikely to agree to such change and would not accept second-level status the implementation for change have been very difficult. The permanent members have argued that their veto right is justified by the responsibilities they carry in the UN. (14) Currently within the Security council non- permanent members need a vote of 60 % in order to acquire a veto. (15) Members are asking that this be reduced so that fewer members will be needed top exact change and a right to veto reforms and proposals. The main reasons for the reform on the veto right has been brought up due to the fact that it is felt among UN members that the permanent members are abusing their veto right fir their own purposes and interests. An example of how the veto right has hampered UN decision making is reflected on the General Assembly's passing of the proposal to lift sanctions n Cuba but having this vetoed in the Security Council.
It was clear that over 90 % of UN members voted to lift the embargo but the proposal failed o pass the security Council because the United States vetoed the proposals. A recent example of the way countries feel threatened by the veto power is the conflict in Chechnya. The whole world seems to be helpless in stopping the bloodshed mainly out of fear that Russia holds the right to veto. These examples only further add to the challenges and reasons for reforming the veto right in the Security Council.
Even the gradual limitation and slow disappearance of the veto right would be opposed having none of the permanent members wishing to lose their status, powers and obligations. The proposal to reform the United Nations Security Council is still just a concept for many countries, however, many countries are realizing the need for change must come soon if the UN wants to succeed in further areas regarding global affairs. The time is getting crucial for change to become necessary within the Council as we confront greater problem and as the UN takes a greater role in world affairs. The Cold War is now over and so too is the differences between the U.
S. and Russia. Although allegiances still exist and countries tend to work for their own benefits the fact that change is needed has brought about a new movement and a harder effort to find solutions. Another issue regarding reform of the United Nations regards the creation of an International Criminal Court. Already twice in the last decade two separate courts had been established be the UN to try and prosecute indicted war criminals. The first of such courts was established during the Bosnia war while the second was established to prosecute criminals after the Rwanda civil war.
These two criminal tribunals were the first of their kind since the Nuremburg Tribunal after the Second World War. These two courts further expressed the need for the creation of a standing permanent court for the global community. This began the need to create the International Criminal Court. The first steps for the creation of the ICC occurred in Rome in nineteen ninety eight. (16) The need for the court was passed by the gathered members and in a great defeat for the United States the ICC would not be under the direct control of the Security Council. (17) The need for the ICC has grown due to the recent actions in Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosova and Liberia.
Countries are realizing that it would be beneficial to have a Criminal Court that would deal with various breaches of world peace, security and the rights of humans. The Secretary-General took the lead in saying that the the creation of the ICC is for the good of all individuals and that it would be created to be strong enough to carry out its task. (18) Thus the Court would have substantial power and independence separate from the powers held by the Security Council when dealing with issues that would threaten global peace and security. Most countries and people will agree that the United Nations has taken up a renewed stance in international affairs but they will also agree that it has become indecisive and static in its decision making and handling of world affairs. The reforms need by the UN will only enhance the character and work ability of the UN in future circumstances. The reforms will also reflect the growth of the United Nations over the last few decades and the changes in the various economies of the world. The UN has done perhaps more than most expected yet their is still more to be done.
These new changes will make the UN fit to take on the challenges it may come across in tenet century. The work of the UN is still needed throughout the world and it is reflected in the fact that still so many conflicts have rocked our decade and still so much animosities is felt between nations. The United Nations was created so that the world could work together in finding the solutions to the problems we encounter. We cannot solve anything if we are Bibliography: Bibliography Barton, William H. A Time for Renewal: The United Nations After Fifty Years. web 1994.
Greig, Allison Joanne. The Role of the Security Council: An Opportunity for Reform web 1995. Oliver, Micheal. Reforming the United Nations: An Expanded World Outlook web 1994. Reform Bulletin. Task Force on Human Resource Management web 1998 Terraviva The Conference Daily Newspaper.
Annan Throws Down Gauntlet web 1998. United Nations. General Assembly takes decisive first step on UN Reform web 1995. United Nations Association in Canada.
The Next Step: Security Council Reform web 1994.
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