Strengths and weaknesses

The United Nations (UN) first and second charter mandates require the UN to maintain international peace and security and, if necessary, to enforce peace making preventive measures or enforce action. But the major failure of the United Nations is their inability to prevent armed conflicts between member nations and to arrest the human rights violators.

The UN Security Council does not have true international representation. The main reason of failure on the security matters is the Security Council’s five veto power permanent nations that are not using their veto rights in an ethical way.

The UN key successes are in the field of peacekeeping in some areas, as well as cultural and educational development. The UN’s World Health Organisation (WHO) was instrumental in the eradication of smallpox worldwide. They has also have played an important role in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

So they do a lot of good work on very prominent social aspects, but they fail to succeed in attaining peace and prosperity between the member nations.

From Mr Imran Khan

Dubai

Hearing all voices

I feel the effectiveness of the UN is slowly diminishing. There is a need for a stronger and a more united body to arise to condemn various conflicts, killings and indifferences going on around the world. Also, every nation’s voice should be heard so that problems can be dealt with for immediate and humane solutions.

From Ms Qudsiya

UAE

Outdated

The main purpose for the UN is to resolve issues between countries through diplomacy before countries resort to military force and conflicts escalate. Unfortunately, the UN has consistently failed at this. The main reason behind the UN’s failure is the veto power of the five permanent nations.

As it stands, a veto from any of the permanent members can halt any possible action the Security Council may take. One nation’s objection, rather than the opinions of a majority of nations, may cripple any possible UN armed or diplomatic response to a crisis. The most recent use of the veto was by China and Russia in May, 2014. The ongoing Syrian crisis can be said to be a result of the latest veto from Russia and China at the Security Council meeting. They seemingly did so out of a pursuit of self interest. This shows that the Security Council resolutions are still supreme expressions of power politics. The UN’s inaction on Syria has caused so much death, violence and displacement.

The US, the UK, France, China and Russia became permanent members in 1946 because they were victors in World War II. In 2015, is that still relevant? Is it time that power was distributed more widely, extending perhaps to emerging markets and the BRICS countries, which are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa?

It seems a good time to assess the effectiveness of this multilateral body to address the issues of the 21st century.

From Ms Madhu Madan

Sharjah

Our foundation

We need to keep pushing the UN because this is where we started everything and this is the only foundation that we have in the world.

From Mr Ayetano Gabriel

UAE

Bring justice

There should be a change in the veto power countries if we are looking to enhanced and well distributed justice. Select countries from all continents should have veto rights.

From Mr Mazhar Abbasi

Singapore, Singapore

Unity necessary for peace

The UN was established to promote international security, peace and cooperation. Its effectiveness thus far in accomplishing its founding purposes has been widely debated. Critics say it’s nothing more than a tool in the hands of developed nations and gives no real recognition to developing nations.

But any organisation that will be set up in its place will inevitably suffer the same shortcomings for it will always be the most powerful who make the decisions. This is true at all levels of society from the playground to politics. It’s up to individuals, communities and countries to strengthen themselves and represent their interests. No organisation can do that for them.

On the other hand, the UN has served as a key organising force in humanitarian work through peacekeeping efforts in conflict ridden zones, as well as in the protection of women and children. One must not forget the commendable work of the UN through its specialised agencies like WHO, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These organisations within the UN are pooling together the skills and resources of all member nations.

There is a lot of scope for reform, but let’s not be so quick to dismiss the United Nations. After all, unity holds the key to world peace.

From Ms Priyavrata Rajasubramanya

Sharjah

Need for neutrality

In the present scenario, the UN has become ineffective as it is following the US agenda. Nevertheless, we need such an organisation that is neutral.

From Mr Nasser Shafqi

Peshawar, Pakistan

Needs to be updated

It would be really worth at least adding to the Security Council representatives from Arab, Latin-American and African countries. Then we could say that at least most of the world’s community, but still not all, are able to take part in international affairs. What we have now are the vestiges of the colonial past and it is not working today when we have changed a lot.

From Ms Marina Rodionova

Moscow, Russia

Lacking representation

Only eight superpower nations are deciding about the fate of more than 250 countries. They decide whatever they like and reject through veto power. That is something I don’t like. There isn’t a veto right from any Islamic country.

We have seen that the UN is a complete failure in issues like Palestine, Kashmir and Iraq. Moreover, they seem to be protecting Israel, allowing them to do whatever they like with the Palestinian territories.

From Mr Samar Arfeen

UAE

No veto rights

The veto power! It shouldn’t be bracketed among the five giant nations. Give power to all the countries in the UN. Democracy should be the winner.

From Mr Jahan Sayed

UAE

A democratic UN?

Since the beginning, the United Nations has been involved in various socio-economic and political decisions all across this world. However, all major policy decisions have been in evident control of the five permanent nation states. Despite extending its reach to 98 per cent of the world, decisions in relation to this 98 per cent are taken by the mere 2 per cent of the assembly. This inequality supports the need for the expansion of democracy or the expulsion of the UN by its members. The UN has always been in favour of the US and these prejudiced decisions became transparent during the climate treaty.

From Ms Sruthi B.

UAE

Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.