Week 7 Flashcards by Afua Gyampo

What is the UN’s primary purpose?

To maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote human rights and development.

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What are the UN’s three complementary pillars?

Security (UNSC), Human Rights (OHCHR), Development (UNDP/ECOSOC).

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What is preventive diplomacy?

Early diplomatic action (mediation, envoys, confidence‑building) to stop disputes from escalating into conflict.

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🌐 The Six Principal Organs of the United Nations and their features

General Assembly (GA)• Deliberative body where all 193 member states have one vote.
• Discusses global issues, passes resolutions, approves the UN budget, elects members to other organs.
Security Council (SC)• Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• 15 members (5 permanent with veto power: USA, UK, France, Russia, China + 10 elected).
• Can authorize sanctions, peacekeeping, or military action.
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)• Coordinates economic, social, and humanitarian work.
• Oversees specialized agencies (WHO, UNESCO, IMF, World Bank).
• 54 members elected by the General Assembly.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)• Judicial organ located in The Hague, Netherlands.
• Settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions.
• 15 judges elected by GA and SC.
Secretariat• Administrative arm of the UN.
• Headed by the Secretary‑General (currently António Guterres).
• Provides reports, implements decisions, manages peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
Trusteeship Council• Established to oversee trust territories and guide them to independence.
• Suspended operations in 1994 after Palau gained independence (last trust territory).
• Still exists legally but inactive.

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What does burden sharing mean in UN action?

Costs and risks of interventions are spread across many states, not borne by one alone.

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What does legitimacy mean in UN action?

UN decisions carry weight because they represent collective will, not unilateral power.

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What does burden sharing mean in UN action?

Costs and risks of interventions are spread across many states, not borne by one alone.

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What is the General Assembly (GA)?

The General Assembly is a forum where all 193 UN member states are represented equally. Each state has one vote, regardless of size, wealth, or power.

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What is the Security Council (SC)?

Primary organ for peace and security; makes binding decisions; can impose sanctions and authorise force.

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What is ECOSOC?

Coordinates economic, social, and development work; links UN to specialized agencies and NGOs.

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What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

Settles legal disputes between states and issues advisory opinions on international law to UN ORGANS; jurisdiction requires consent. Composed by 15 judges

Settles disputes like:

border disputes
maritime boundaries
diplomatic relations
treaty interpretations(determining the meaning and application of the terms in an international treaty)

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What is the Secretariat?

Administrative arm led by the Secretary‑General; provides analysis, mediation, and mission support.

• Prepares reports, studies, and background information for UN meetings.
• Implements decisions and resolutions passed by the General Assembly and Security Council.
• Provides translation, interpretation, and documentation services for UN proceedings.
• Oversees peacekeeping operations, humanitarian missions, and global programs.
• Coordinates with specialized agencies (e.g., WHO, UNESCO).

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What was the Trusteeship Council?

Oversaw decolonization and trust territories; now inactive.

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What does Article 2(1) say in UN Charter Principles?

Sovereign equality: all states are legally equal, one vote each, regardless of power.

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What does Article 2(3) say UN Charter Principles?

Good faith: All members must settle disputes peacefully and act in good faith to carry out UN obligations
• Focus: Good faith and peaceful cooperation
• Example: Countries cannot ignore UN resolutions or use force to bypass obligations

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What does Article 2(7) say in UN Charter Principles?

Non‑intervention: UN cannot interfere in domestic matters unless they threaten international peace and security.

• Domestic = purely internal, no threat to others.
• International breach = when internal actions endanger peace, security, or human rights beyond borders.

Examples:

Genocide
Harbouring weapons of mass destruction

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What does Article 2(3) say in UN Charter Principles?

Peaceful settlement: disputes must be resolved by negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or judicial settlement.

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What do Articles 1(2) and 55 say in UN Charter Principles?

Self‑determination:

•	All peoples have the right to decide their own political future
•	States should respect sovereign equality
•	Self-determination is key to peace

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What does Article 2(4) say in UN Charter Principles?

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Prohibition of force: states cannot use or threaten force except in self‑defense (Art. 51) or with UNSC authorization.

What do Articles 55–56 say about human rights in UN Charter Principles?

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UN must promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

What is OHCHR?

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The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; leads UN human rights work, monitors abuses, supports treaties, and mainstreams rights.

How many members are in the UNSC?

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15 total: 5 permanent (P5) with veto, 10 non‑permanent elected for 2 years.

Who are the P5?

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United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China.

What is a procedural vote in the UNSC?

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A procedural vote decides how the Security Council conducts its business, not the substantive content of resolutions.

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Key points:
• Covers rules, agenda, or procedure (e.g., which topic to discuss, setting up a meeting)
• Requires at least 9 YES votes out of 15 members
• Permanent members (P5) cannot veto procedural votes

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Examples of procedural votes:
• Adopting the agenda for a meeting
• Deciding to call a debate or discussion on a topic
• Inviting non-members to speak

What is a substantive vote in the UNSC?

•At least 9 YES votes in total 👉 these 9 can be any mix of: • permanent members • non-permanent members • AND no P5 member votes NO (no veto) • It deals with major decisions, not procedure • Examples include: • Authorizing sanctions • Approving peacekeeping missions • Authorizing the use of force • Admitting new UN members

What is the veto?

The power of any P5 member to block a substantive resolution, even if all other members agree.

What does gridlock mean in the UNSC?

Deadlock or paralysis when veto prevents the Council from acting.

What is the G4 proposal?

Brazil, Germany, India, Japan want permanent seats to reflect modern power + 2 African states • The UNSC reflects post-World War II power, not modern realities. • Countries like India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil: • Contribute heavily to the UN • Have large populations or economies • Play major regional and global roles • Africa has no permanent representation, despite 54 UN members.

What is the African Union/Ezulwini Consensus?

Calls for two permanent African seats with veto and more non‑permanent seats.

What is the L.69 group proposal?

• Formed in 2007 (grouped under UN document L.69) • Includes over 50 developing countries from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean • Goals: • Increase permanent seats for underrepresented regions (especially Africa, Latin America, Asia) • Add more non-permanent seats • Make the UNSC more representative, legitimate, and inclusive

What is the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) proposal?

• Formed in 1995, led by countries like Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, South Korea • Goal: prevent new permanent members with veto power • Instead, they propose: • More non-permanent, rotating seats • Regional representation • No new permanent veto powers

What does rationale mean in reform proposals?

The reasoning behind each proposal (e.g., representation, fairness, avoiding privilege).

What are WMDs?

Weapons of Mass Destruction: nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.

What was Resolution 1441 (2002)?

UNSC resolution giving Iraq a final chance to declare WMDs, allow inspections, and warning of “serious consequences.”

What did the US/UK argue about Iraq in 2003?

That Iraq violated Resolution 1441 and force was justified.

What did France, Russia, and China argue about Iraq in 2003?

Inspections needed more time; threatened veto against authorizing force.

What was the outcome of the Iraq 2003 case?

No new resolution passed; US/UK invaded without explicit UNSC authorization.

Why is the Iraq 2003 case important?

It showed UNSC failure: veto threats blocked action, unilateral invasion undermined UN legitimacy and collective security.

What are “Articles” in the UN Charter?

Numbered legal clauses in the Charter that set out principles, rules, and powers.

explaim the diplomatic peace concept?

It’s the idea Peace achieved through negotiation, institutions, and diplomacy (e.g., UNSC reforms).

key festures of general assembly

• Debates and passes resolutions (non-binding but influential) • Approves the UN budget • Elects members to other UN bodies (e.g., Security Council, Human Rights Council) • Appoints the Secretary-General (based on Security Council recommendation) • Oversees international treaties and conventions

Importance of international court of justice?

• Promotes peaceful resolution of disputes instead of armed conflict. • Strengthens international law by clarifying rules and norms. • Enhances legitimacy of the UN system by providing a neutral judicial forum.

State UN Charter articles

• Article 2(1) → Membership of the UN and recognition of sovereign states • Article 2(2) → Sovereign equality of all member states • Article 2(3) → Good faith fulfillment of obligations • Article 2(4) → Prohibition of the threat or use of force • Article 2(7) → Non-intervention in domestic affairs of states • Article 51 → Right of self-defense (exception to Article 2(4)) • Chapter VII → Security Council enforcement measures (exception to Article 2(7)) • Preamble, Articles 1, 55–56 → Promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms • Articles 1(2), 55 → Self-determination of peoples • Article 23 → Composition and membership of the Security Council

Article 2(2) of the UN charter

Sovereign equality of all members • Key point: Every member has equal rights and duties • Meaning: No state is superior to another in the UN — even if it’s bigger or more powerful

Difference between article 2(1) and 2(2) of the UN charter

• 2(1): “The UN is made of sovereign states” ✅ • 2(2): “All these states are equal” ⚖️

Week 7 Flashcards

(45 cards)