[Answered] The Ukraine crisis exposes the weaknesses of the UN system and underscores the demand for democratization of the organization. Elaborate.

Following the Second World War, the international community constituted an international body with the capability to limit the chances of onset of another world war. The United Nations was set up in 1945, with the principal aim of a guardian of international peace and security, a promoter of human rights and a protector of international law.

Why is there a demand for democratization of the UN system?

1. Lack of democratic mechanisms and accountability: The five permanent members (US, France, UK, China, and Russia) hold much more powers than the non-permanent ones. This factor protects their geopolitical interests, at the cost of victim nations. E.g., Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia for aggression against Ukraine. It was despite the fact that the support of nearly 80 countries was in the favour of Ukraine. Similarly, in 2018, the United States vetoed a resolution condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths during border protests in Gaza. China has been a frequent user of veto power to protect the terrorists in its friendly countries like Pakistan.
2. UN General Assembly has no control over veto power exercised by UNSC and it cannot take any decisive action against permanent members of UNSC.
3. Violation of sovereign equality: It is a fundamental principle of the UN, which was violated with the attack on Ukraine.
4. Lack of an international army: When threats come from non-state actors, it is tough for the UN to elaborate an effective plan to hinder them.
5. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is an act of aggression. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter exhorts member states to “refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
6. Just like Ukraine invasion, Western interventions in countries like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. have not brought about lasting peace or stability to those regions. The political resolutions to conflicts are trickier and the UN does face enormous challenges in this regard.
7. The implementation of ICJ judgements still rests on the will of the Member States. e.g., China rejected its ruling in the case of South China Sea.

It is undeniable that, since its foundation, UNO has undergone a number of considerable transformations. However, some important progress still has to be attained in order to improve its efficiency and to grant the effectiveness of its action up against the new global challenges, contemporary security issues and international threats.