The Veto Power Reform in the Security Council
"I forbid!" That's what Vyacheslav Molotov, also known as Mr. Veto, meant by using the power to veto. Since fifty-one countries adopted the UN Charter in 1945, the veto power has been used many times for the sake of international diplomacy and world peace. Although the system has worked successfully for over half a century, the veto power of the UN has always been a controversial issue among the states of the Security Council since it was established. When we look back through history, the veto power was established just after the founding of UN. In sixty-five years the veto power was used 261 times in total, almost three times per year. The vetoing record belongs to the Russian Federation and its predecessor the Soviet Union with 123 vetoes and the country with the least amount of vetoes is China with six in total. Even though the record belongs to the Russian Federation, the United States has used the veto power eleven times in recent years, mostly on the controversial issues concerning Israel.
The effect of veto power is essential in guiding resolutions, although the pros and cons of vetoes are debatable. Those advocating the veto power, mostly the Permanent Five countries, imply that the utilization of it is rare and that it is essential for the collaboration of the P5 countries. They suggest that since the international arms control agreements are the responsibility of the Security Council, the veto power is needed in the monitoring of the applications of arms. On the other hand, some groups such as the G4 bloc, formed by Brazil, China, India and South Africa, advocate reform by limiting the veto power, requiring agreements from multiple states before using it or even abolishing it entirely. Some voiced concerns that the national interests of the P5 can stunt the process of peacekeeping. In addition to these opinions, some argue that countries like Brazil, Japan and Germany should be a part of the permanent states to balance power distribution within the Security Council.
The hint of reform has already been given with a proposal concerning the increase in the number of permanent states made by the G4. It seems that the strong policies of nations and the sensitivity of the issue may heat up the process of the reform.
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