security council.... power and functions of security council...

1. AKHIL ANTONY
17E2118
III DC ENGLISH
17002100556
2017 - 20
Submitted to,
Dr. MINI ABRAHAM

3.  The United Nations Security Council is one of the
six principal organs of the United Nations
 It is charged with ensuring international peace
and security.
 Under the charter, it accepts new members to
the United Nations and approves any changes to
its charter.

4.  The council has 15 members –
• 5 permanent members : CHINA, FRANCE, the RUSSIAN FEDERATION,
the UNITED KINGDOM and the UNITED STATES.
• and 10 members elected by the General Assembly for two year
terms.
 Each member of the Security council has one vote.
 Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of
at least 9 of the 15 members.
 Decisions on substantive matters require 9 votes and the absence of
a negative vote by any of the 5 permanent members.

5.  All 5 permanent members have exercised the right of veto
at one time or another.
 If a permanent member does not fully agree with a
proposed resolution but does not wish to cast its veto, it
may choose to abstain – thus allowing the resolution to be
adopted if it obtains the required number of 9 votes in
favor.
 Under Article 25 of the Charter, all members of the United
Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the
Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations
make recommendations to member states, the Council
alone has the power to take decisions which member
states are obligated under the Charter to implement.

6.  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
investigation 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.

7.  PEACE OPERATIONS :
When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before
it, the Council’s first action is usually to recommend that the
parties try to reach agreement by peaceful means. The council
may set forth principles for a peaceful settlement. In some cases,
the Council itself undertakes investigation and meditation. When a
dispute leads to hostilities, the Council’s first concern is to bring
them to an end as soon as possible.
 MILITARY ENFORCEMENT :
The council dispatch military observers or a peacekeeping force to
help reduce tensions, keep opposing forces apart, and create
conditions of calm in which peaceful settlements may besought.
Under Charter VII of the Charter, the Council may decide on
enforcement measures, including economic sanctions, travel bans
or collective military action

8.  SANCTIONS, EMBARGOES OTHER DIPLOMATIC INSTRUMENTS :
Under Chapter VII of the Charter, the council decides on arms
embargoes, financial sanctions etc. The sanctions instrument is an
important tool available to the Security Council in seeking to promote
international peace and security. Each of the sanctions regimes currently
in existence features “smart” or targeted sanctions – arms embargoes,
financial sanctions and travel bans – designed to eliminate or minimize
unintended effects by focusing on those responsible for the policies
condemned by the international community.
 ENLISTING AND EMPOWERING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS :
The Council has established two international criminal tribunals to
prosecute crimes against humanity in the former Yugoslavia and in
Rwanda. Following the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11
September 2001, a Counter – Terrorism Committee was established.