What is the UN Security Council?
Calls are being made to boycott the United Nations Security Council, after it was announced it would be hosted by Russia.
Experts are saying an alleged war criminal should not be allowed to head a UN Security Council, with Russia set to take up the presidency of the international body on April 1.
Member nations should boycott the group, say experts, after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin for the “unlawful deportation” of Ukrainian children — a war crime allegation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government has also called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council over Russia’s move to station nuclear weapons in Belarus. The EU has threatened additional sanctions.
What is the UN Security Council?
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 members, with each having one vote.
Under the Charter of the United Nations, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council’s decisions.
Who are the members of the UN Security Council?
The council is composed of 15 members. Five of these — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States — are permanent members.
There are also 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. For 2023 these are Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.
What powers does the UN Security Council have?
The Security Council can take action to “maintain or restore international peace and security” under a law known as Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The group has a broad range of enforcement options but none of them involve the use of armed force. Measures can include economic and trade sanctions to arms embargoes, travel bans and financial restrictions.
How long has it been running?
The group held its first session in January 1946 in Westminster, London. Since its first meeting, the Security Council has taken permanent residence at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
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A representative of each of its members must be present at all times at UN Headquarters so that the Security Council can meet at any time as the need arises.
