11 March 2021, NIICE Commentary 6909
Malavika Nandan
In this 21st century, although United National (UN) is criticised for a number of reasons, as an international organisation, it has been effective in trying to maintain peace and security. UN was placed on the vestiges of the league of nations. During the cold war, there were strict measures on what could be agreed on by the security council, be it any of the matters relating to conflict, prevention and so on. On 3 December 1989, when Mikhail Gorbhachev and George HW Bush officially proclaimed an end to the cold war at Malta Summit, they were clear on the fact that force and coercion will no longer be part of any foreign policy that is adopted and that peace should prevail.
There are a number of challenges that UN is facing today; starting from the Dysfunctional relationship between the three big powers, the US, China and Russia which makes it very difficult to take a collective decision and to make progress. The veto power is also considered to be the most controversial part of UN owing to the fact that it is not just used for the maintenance of security and peace but to protect lesser interests or a state’s personal interest. It is also said that the reason why UN is much more successful than League of Nations is due to the idea that the veto power rests in the hands of the permanent 5 members and not all of them. The wording in the charter is what makes it arduous. This requires the member to give a veto vote over a no vote for any matter or else abstain from voting in itself.
There are a few things that UN is appreciated for. Firstly, the Sustainable Development goals of 2030 and the Paris Agreement. The nations all over the world agreed to 17 Global goals that includes zero hunger, good health, education, reduced inequalities, climate action, life below water. It is a quite holistic policy adopted and one that takes into consideration every single aspect that is being threatened. Although significant achievements have occurred, there is still a lot to do, especially now. Some of the issues that persist are the gender inequality, Climate conditions, Economic gaps, hunger and conflict. The focus on the 5 P’s, namely people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership are what helps the UN sustain the expectations and demands of the people.
Similarly, one of the UN policy that is quite commendable is what it has done regarding the refugee crisis. The Business Action pledge of 2015 gives incentives and helps the private sector to support the refugees. The 1951 convention as well as the 1967 protocol recognizes the refugees not as migrants, but as people who are forced to move from their places and it as well creates a situation where they are able to seek a place to stay and not get trapped in a situation of controls and procedures. They also provide a way for the safe return of the refugees to their places as well as include a long-term development and create policies of self-reliability. For e.g., we can take the Zambia Initiative back in 2004 to 2006 that was kick started to host many refugees from the southern Africa. It, however, led to a lot of controversies owing to the conflicts between host communities who lived almost in the same circumstances as the refugees but were not paid attention by any International organisation.
The next element which has helped UN to resist the various controversies and criticism is the idea that although gender equality is not yet completely achieved, there have been efforts made to do so and that stands out as a matter of support for the UN. The Security council has always made sure to make gender parity a commitment and brought in a goal of 50/50 in the various UN associations. However, it is not quite easy to change the patriarchy that prevails as easily as we would want it to be displaced. For e.g., although there have been many female secretary generals in the UN and the current deputy secretary general is a woman as well, a woman has never become the Secretary General. Even if we take the case of President of General Assembly, only 4 women have been elected in the 75 years of its formation. This shows us how there still exists gender inequality but efforts are made to get rid of it, little by little.
There are times when the UN has failed too, if we take the case of Rwanda genocide in 1994 between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes, in fact, the government and the rebels. While this ethnic conflict never existed in Rwanda, the colonial rule by Belgium brought about this change where Tutsis were considered to be minorities and given more preferential treatment. UN ignored all the possible cues that a genocide might happen and did not take much notice. While they provided the troops to go and maintain peace, due to lack of facilities and as per the mandate, they could not stop the killings or do anything to hurt the killers. General Dallaire had requested for a certain number of troops up to 500 of them but the UN not noticing the gravity of the situation, provided them with half the number of what was asked. If we consider the case of other superpowers as well, for e.g., America, just before the Rwanda genocide, had employed its troops in Somalia and later had to withdraw it on its failure. They decided to never get involved in any conflict between tribes that they don’t understand completely and just watched all the killings in Rwanda happen. Belgium as well withdrew their contingent troops without much warning, leaving the country in hardship.
Even if we consider what happened in Haiti, after the earthquake in 2010, the UN peacekeeping made it worse with the spread of Cholera and later, they took responsibility for what had happened. Some of the members associated with the UN peacekeeping dumped infected sewage into the river that led to the death of many in Haiti. The then General Secretary Ban Ki Moon apologized and envisioned certain measures to make sure they are back on track. These included; providing clean water and good infrastructure while at the same time, eradicating cholera. Next, is a package of material assistance that could be given to the affected. However, there has always been a complaint that from the amount set aside for the implementation, only about half has actually been given and the UN does not seem enthusiastic. Recently, the UN finished its 15 years of peacekeeping while the conditions in Haiti has not gotten better in terms of political and economic scenario. UN should definitely work on the implementation, although we must be pleased about the fact that measures are being taken and at least thought of.
When we closely observe these developments, we realise it’s not just the UN but other countries are equally responsible for what has happened. To blame entirely on UN for the occurrence will never be right because UN can be a perfect international organisation only if its member states allow it to be. Reforms in the processes are what is being asked for to make sure that UN has a long life. However, UN has been able to resist the rumblings and even make a country like China which recognized UN and its significance a while later than the other countries, hold international conferences, peacekeeping, provide the UN Budget and above all, hold positions in the specialised agencies of International Telecommunication union, Food and Agricultural Organisation and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
