Question

What is veto power? Argue why it should not be a provision given to any country in the UN.

Answer 1

Hint:
The power which is used to explicitly stop the government action especially during the implementation of the act.

Complete answer:
The Security Council has 15 members. Out of these five belong to permanent members, the rest often belong to non-permanent members. Non-permanent members shall be elected by the General Assembly every two years. The United States, Russia, England, France and China are permanent members of the Security Council. These countries have the power of veto. Assent of all five permanent members and four non-permanent members is expected for any vote to be made.

The veto means the power to disagree. This refers that any resolution supported by all other permanent members will become ineffective if one of the permanent members votes against it. It should not be a provision given to any country in the UN because it gives an advantage to all members that they do not agree with a particular resolution favouring a particular country even if it is a right decision.

Each and every individual of the United Nations Security Council should provide one vote. The choices on constitutional questions shall be reached by the absolute majority of nine members with the agreeing votes of all constituent nations. A permanent participant's unfavourable vote is known as a 'veto.' The Council cannot operate on a specific issue if any regular member exercises the right of veto.

This veto power should not be a privilege granted to any nation in the UN because it provides a benefit to all members that they do not comply with a specific resolution supporting a particular country, even though it is a correct decision. The five permanent members have this veto power, but it is generally expressed for their own interests. It is not used for the benefit of the international community. Usually, the fifteen members of the UN Security Council take crucial decisions. However, the Council cannot make a decision if a permanent member says no to that decision. Many countries are therefore protesting against the veto power and urging the UN to be more democratic.

Note:
India was the only applicant in the Asia-Pacific region to qualify for non-permanent membership. In June last year, the 55-member Asia-Pacific Party overwhelmingly endorsed its candidature. This is the eighth time that India has been chosen as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.