UN Security Council Veto Power Must Be Abolished

NEW YORK: The veto power of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must be challenged and ultimately abolished to address the council’s shortcomings, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said expanding the council’s membership alone would not be enough to address its shortcomings, stressing that the use of the veto must be questioned and strongly challenged by every member of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), particularly in cases involving crimes against humanity.

“The use of the veto must be questioned and challenged as strongly as possible by every member of this General Assembly, especially in cases involving crimes against humanity,” he said while delivering Malaysia’s national statement at the General Debate of the 81st UNGA here on Saturday.

Mohamad said Resolution 76/262 had already established a channel of accountability between the Security Council and the General Assembly.

“We must make full use of this resolution as a platform towards greater accountability over the use of the veto,” he said.

He said the international community must begin efforts now to reform the Security Council.

“Expanding the membership of the Council alone is not enough to address its failures. It is the veto power that must be challenged, and it is the veto power that must be abolished. We must begin this effort now,” he said.

Mohamad said there was still time to safeguard the global order, stressing that deadlock in the Security Council should not result in paralysis across the United Nations.

He also highlighted the growing trust deficit facing the UN, saying that trust could only be restored through concrete action, including ensuring that international law is upheld and that communities around the world continue to believe their voices matter.

The UN Security Council is the UN’s principal body responsible for international peace and security. It comprises 15 members, including five permanent members with veto power.

Mohamad was in New York from Sept 23 to 27 to lead Malaysia’s delegation to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

BERNAMA