NEW YORK – The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has passed a draft resolution asking one of the five permanent members of the Security Council to make a statement if it exercises its veto power. According to the resolution, other UN member states will also have the opportunity to voice their views on the veto in the General Assembly. The bill, supported by the majority of member states, was passed without a vote.
The bill was presented to the UN General Assembly by Liechtenstein. It was reported that 83 countries sponsored the bill, which was supported by Turkey as well as the two permanent members of the UN Security Council, the USA and the UK.
According to the new resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly, the USA, Russia, England, China and France, which have the right to veto in the Security Council, will have to explain to the UN General Assembly why they have taken this step within 10 days if they use this right.
The new draft resolution considers the 193-member global organization’s five permanent members in the UN Security Council to be held to account. The decision came after Russia exercised its veto power in the Council, one day after launching its attempt to invade Ukraine.
Liechtenstein: “All member states will be given the right to speak”
Liechtenstein Permanent Representative to the UN Christian Wenaweser addressed the General Assembly on behalf of the 83 countries that supported the draft they prepared. Wenaweser pointed out that the member states of the UN give primary responsibility to the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security. Wenaweser stated that they have prepared this bill because they are of the opinion that all members should be given a voice in the UN General Assembly in cases where it is thought that the permanent members of the council do not act in accordance with their duties and powers by using their veto power.
USA: “It is a virtue for a member who exercises his veto right to make a statement”
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Ambassador Richard Mills, the Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN, stated that there were heated discussions on the “veto right” of the permanent members of the Security Council at the meeting in San Francisco in 1945, where the UN Charter was determined, “The veto has remained controversial to this day,” he said.
Ambassador Mills stated that the USA takes its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council very seriously and said, “According to Article 24 of the UN Charter, member states have given the UN Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It granted veto power to five permanent members. This type of authority comes with enormous responsibilities. This authority should be exercised wisely and judiciously, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN and with full consideration of the advancement of international peace and security. Therefore, the USA considers it a virtue that a permanent member exercising his veto power makes a statement to the General Assembly. That is why we supported the draft resolution adopted today.”
“Russia has abused its veto power in the last ten years”
Senior American diplomat Ambassador Mills stated that they were extremely disturbed by the way Russia abused its veto right, especially in the last 10 years, and said, “Russia has a very long and embarrassing veto list. Russia has always vetoed resolutions calling for accountability in Syria, including resolutions to maintain its authority over chemical weapons. Russia also vetoed a resolution that referred the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Russia vetoed a resolution when it tried to annex Crimea illegally. And recently, in the most brutal way, Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution denouncing its aggression against Ukraine, deciding that the use of force must end and all Russian forces withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Russia so badly violated the UN Charter, hindering the UN Security Council’s effort. We welcome this decision. The United States is pleased to support the bill and be a partner in this decision,” he said.
England: “Russia has used its veto right 17 times since 2011”
Britain’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, said that the use of the right of veto is a heavy responsibility that cannot be taken lightly in order to ensure peace and security in the world, but this right should not be used without being held accountable.
Emphasizing that the right of veto should not prevent the council from fulfilling its duties, Woodward underlined that the UK has not used its veto right in the UN Security Council since 1989. Woodward said, “We listen carefully and negotiate in the Security Council to reach an agreement. We prefer the negotiation path rather than using our veto right to block the Council. Russia has used its veto right 17 times since 2011 to prevent the Council’s efforts to protect the Syrian people. Russia “The reason for our support for this bill is transparency and accountability. By adopting this resolution today, we have taken a step towards the UN’s protection of international peace and security,” he said.