Functions and Powers. The Security Council is composed of five permanent members – China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States – and 10

Security Council

The Security Council is composed of five permanent members – China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States – and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Members are not eligible for immediate re-election.

Originally, the Security Council consisted of 11 members, but it was enlarged to its present 15 members in 1965 in accordance with an amendment to the Charter.

Under the Charter, the functions and powers of the Security Council are:

- to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations;

- to investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction;

- to recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement;

- to formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments;

- to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken;

- to call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression;

- to take military action against an aggressor;

- to recommend the admission of new Members;

- to exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in "strategic areas";

- to recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court of Justice.

The Security Council acts on behalf of all the Members of the United Nations, all of which agree to carry out its decisions and to undertake to make available to the Security Council, at its request armed forces assistance and facilities necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Voting in the Security Council on all matters other than questions of procedure is byan affirmative vote of at least nine members. Decisions on substantive matters also require nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of “great Power unanimity” often referred to as the “veto”. However, any member, whether permanent or non-permanent, must abstain from voting on any decision concerning the pacific settlement of a dispute to which it is a party.

On questions of procedure, a decision is by an affirmative vote of any nine members.

The Security Council is so organized as to be able to function continuously, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at the United Nations Headquarters (the seat of the Organization). The Council may meet elsewhere than at Headquarters if it considers this advisable.

Any Member of the United Nations, which is not a member of the Security Council may participate in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that Member are specially affected. Both members and non-members are invited to take part in the Council’s discussions when they are parties being considered by the Council. In the case of a non-member, the Council lays down the conditions under which it may participate.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29