Role of the UN in maintaining peace

Source: The post role of the UN in maintaining peace has been created, based on the article “The world needs blue helmets who act as blue helmets” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora – their structure, mandate.

Context: The article discusses the role of the UN in maintaining peace. It criticizes the UN for often being a bystander in conflicts, failing to protect civilians. It calls for reform in the Security Council to allow quicker action and better support for peacekeeping missions.

For detailed information on shortcomings of UN read this article here

How does the UN Charter address peacekeeping?

1. The UN aims to prevent wars and protect civilians through its Charter and peacekeeping forces. It has over 100,000 peacekeepers deployed worldwide.
2. The UN Charter’s Chapter VI promotes peaceful settlements of disputes. Chapter VII allows the use of armed force, with Security Council authorization, in cases of aggression. Chapter VIII also allows regional forces to enforce peace if authorized by the Security Council.

Where has the UN succeeded and failed?

UN Successes:

1. Peacekeeping Operations: The UN successfully restored peace in countries like Cambodia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Angola, Timor Leste, Liberia, and Kosovo.
2. Notable Examples: In Kosovo, only 6,000 peacekeepers helped stabilize the region between 1999-2008. Similarly, 3,000 UN police and Australian infantry restored order in Timor Leste during the same period.
3. Impact: These missions helped in re-establishing rule of law and forming elected governments.

UN Failures:

1. Rwanda and Bosnia: In 1994 and 1995, the UN failed to protect civilians, leading to mass casualties, such as the Rwanda genocide, where nearly 1 million Tutsis were killed.
2. Current conflicts: In Ukraine and Gaza, the UN has been criticized for inaction, despite having 100,000 peacekeepers that could have been redeployed to prevent massive civilian casualties.

What changes are needed for the UN Security Council?

1. Expand Permanent Membership: Include countries like India and South Africa to better represent the global South and Africa. India is a major global voice, and South Africa’s inclusion would address long-overdue representation for Africa.
2. Reform the Veto Power: Limit the veto power of the P5 members, which often prevents decisive action. For instance, the U.S. and Russia would veto interventions in West Asia and Ukraine, respectively.
3. Division of Votes: In an expanded P7, a vote should decide interventions instead of relying on a single country’s veto. This would enable faster deployment of UN troops under Chapters VII and VIII.

For detailed information on UNSC Reforms read this article here

Question for practice:

Examine how the proposed reforms to the UN Security Council could improve its effectiveness in peacekeeping missions?