The United Nations

Current Issues - LHS

Founding and Principles

• Founded in 1945 in San Francisco to replace the League of Nations– Attended by 50

governments– Drafted the Charter of

the United Nations

United Nati ons Charter Principles

• “Maintain international peace and security”– Essentially prohibited

war, except in self defense

– “All members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered”

UN Charter Principles• “To develop friendly relations

among nations based on equal rights and self determination”

• “To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character”

• Encourage respect human rights “and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”

Structures of the United Nati ons

• General Assembly (GA)– Main body of the UN– Composed of all UN

member states (192)– Led by Secretary General,

elected from among the member states (Ban Ki-Moon)

– Opportunity for all states to address GA, air their grievances

– Resolutions of GA are NOT binding on members

UN Security Council

• Charged with maintaining peace & security among countries

• Security Council has power to make binding decision that member governments agree to carry out, as part of their joining UN

UN Security Council• Membership: Five

permanent members, ten non-permanent members– Permanent members:

China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, US

– Each has veto power over all substantive decisions of Council

• Non-permanent members hold seats for two year terms

UN Secretariat

• Provides studies, information and facilities for UN bodies

• Headed by Secretary General (Ban Ki-Moon)– Acts as spokesman and

leader of UN– Has power to “bring any

matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security” before the Security Council

Internati onal Court of Justi ce

• Decides disputes among states– War crimes– Ethnic cleansing

• Located in The Hague, Netherlands