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The UN has done well, but changes needed
Dear Editor,
October 24 is designated United Nations Day. The day is set aside to observe the coming into being of the United Nations in 1945 following the signing of the United Nations Charter. At the time of ratification there were 51 countries and five permanent members, namely the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France. These countries were given permanent status based on their perceived importance following the end of the Second World War.
Since then, the United Nations have expanded to include one hundred and ninety-three members, all of whom are also members of the General Assembly. Guyana is currently one of the ten non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, a signal honour for a small country.
The importance of the United Nations in terms of the promotion of world peace and humanitarian assistance cannot be overemphasized. The current situation in Palestine and the ongoing war in Ukraine is testimony to the fact that peace and stability cannot be taken for granted. The United Nations through its Secretary-General has been doing a great job in putting international pressure on countries that violate the UN Charter as in the case of Israel and the Russian Federation.
Guyana has also benefitted from the UN in terms of forwarding its border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) based on a request from the Guyana Government after the failure of the UN Secretary-General’s Good Office mechanism to deliver results due mainly to Venezuela’s intransigence.
There are, however, a number of structural deficiencies that must be addressed if the UN is to be successful in its role as an impartial mediator in conflict resolution. Firstly, the veto power exercised by the five permanent members of the security council should be scrapped. This has so far proven to be a recipe for gridlock. The Security Council should be expanded to include more countries from the developing world and decisions made should be binding.
This brings me to the second point. The UN in its current configuration lacks the ability to enforce decisions made at the level of the General Assembly and several resolutions taken on important global issues are brushed aside by the delinquent parties. What is perhaps needed is a strong and effective supranational military force to intervene in cases where there are continuing infractions of the UN Charter. These are admittedly wishful thinking but they do, in my humble view, represent the only hope for a peaceful and stable global environment. Thirdly, the United Nations should come up with ways of lessening its dependence for funding from the bigger nations which limits its ability to take objective positions.
The current situation is nothing short of catastrophic and a shame on the failure of the international community to come to the rescue of defenseless people who are slaughtered by the thousands in several parts of the world, as in currently the case of Palestine and Ukraine.
Faithfully yours,
Hydar Ally
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