CLASS-4
INDIA AND THE UN REFORMS
On several grounds, India supports UN reforms:
- In a changing world, strengthened & revitalized UN is desirable.
- UN should enhance role for promoting development and cooperation among states.
- Development should be central to the UN’s agenda; precondition for global peace & security
- Because of composition of SC; static (11 to 15 in 1965) while the Assembly membership has expanded; It harmed the representative character of SC.
- Expanded Council, with more representation, will enjoy greater support in the world community.
- Developing countries should also have role in shaping the decisions in SC which affect them.
- India supports; permanent + non-permanent membership becoz activities of SC have greatly expanded. It’s success depends on political support of the international community.
- India itself also wishes to be a veto-wielding permanent member:
BECAUSE:
- Second most populous country. (1/5th of world)
- World’s largest democracy
- Participated in virtually all of the initiatives of the UN
- Role in the UN’s peacekeeping efforts.
- economic emergence on the world stage.
- regular financial contributions to the UN and never faltered on its payments.
- symbolic importance of permanent membership (in world affairs, foreign policy, reputation building) But Some countries objections:
- Pakistan; troubled relations
- Others; India’s nuclear weapons
- other emerging powers (Brazil, Germany, Japan, S. Africa) will also demand.
- Before India, S. America & Africa should have.
- So; Not be very easy for anyone to become a permanent member in near future.
- THE UN IN A UNIPOLAR WORLD
Can the UN serve as a balance against US dominance?
1.After disintegration of USSR, US stands as the only superpower & it’s power (military & economic) can’t be easily checked. So US can ignore UN.
Hope: After reform and restructuring, UN will cope better with a unipolar word.
2.USA’s dominance in UN; 22% contribution in regular budget, Location of UN, veto power.
US use Vito; To reduce opposition to its policies, to “split” the world, in the choice of the Secretary General.
Definitely, UN is not a great balance to the US. Nevertheless,
UN’s Significance:
In a unipolar world, UN has served to bring the US & rest of the world into discussions over various issues.
US leaders criticize UN, but see UN as platform where 190 nations can be convince.
UN provides an arena to modify US attitudes and policies.
So, UN is an imperfect body, but without it the world would be wor
- se off.
- Amnesty InternationalCampaigns for the protection of human rights in world.
Major focus of amnesty is the misconduct of government authorities.
Play an important role AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL in research and advocacy on human rights.
Human Rights Watch
International NGO involved in research and advocacy on human rights.
Largest human rights organisation in the US.
Campaigns
- To ban landmines,
- To stop the use of child soldiers
- To establish the international Criminal Court
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-1957
Purpose: Peaceful use of nuclear energy and to prevent its use for military purposes.
Regularly inspect nuclear facilities