‘Hidden’ vetoes must go, India tells U.N.

India has sought changes in the U.N. procedures to designate a group or an individual terrorist.

Background:

The demand for more transparency comes days after China blocked India’s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a terrorist.

Existing rules:

The existing rules allow Security Council members to oppose any move in the sanctions committees in a clandestine manner and without offering any explanation.

• The sanctions committees can take decisions only unanimously, and this means any of the 15 members can veto a move. This amounts to allowing a “hidden veto” for every member of the council.
• The general membership of the UN is never ever formally informed of how and why requests for listing terrorists are not acceded to.
• The Security Council has Al-Qaeda, Taliban and Islamic State Sanctions Committees that can mandate international sanctions, which will require countries to freeze the targeted group’s or individual’s assets, ban designated individuals from travelling and prevent the supply of weapons, technology and other aid.

UNSC: Quick facts

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions; it is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
• The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as the body’s five permanent members. These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
• The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.