The Security

Council
Membership, Structures, Functions

Instructor: Mr. Rodsorin Ung

Group Members:
 Charadine PICH
Muhammed Turkoglu

Content

I. Introduction
II. Membership
A. India ought to be permanent member of UN Security Council: David Cameron
B. Saudi Arabia Officially Rejects U.N. Security Council Seat
C. Jordan applies for UNSC seat ‘after consulting KSA’
1. Presidency

2. Decisions and Voting

III. Structures
1. Counter-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation Committees
2. Military Staff Committee
3. Sanctions Committee (Ad Hoc)
4. Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Bodies
5. Peacekeeping Operations and Political Missions
6. International Courts and Tribunals
7. Advisory Subsidiary Organ
IV. Functions
1. Security Council Missions and Agenda
A. Country-Specific and Regional situations
B. Thematic issues
2. Missions of the Security Council
V. Conclusion
VI. References
 Introduction

The United Nations, under its charter, established six organs including the Security Council
whose primary responsibility is to “maintaining international peace and security” whenever
peace is threatened. It has 15 members and each member has one vote.

According to the Charter, the United Nations has four purposes:

 To maintain international peace and security
 To develop friendly relations among nations
 To cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human
rights and
 To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations

The Security Council decisions are being accepted and carried out by all members of the
United Nations (i.e., it is obligated, under the Charter, that all member states have to be
comply with the Council decisions). The recommendations made by other organs of the
United Nations to member states are then obliged to implement under the Charter, only after
the decisions have been made by the Security Council.

The Security Council determines the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression,
calls upon the parties involved to resolve it by peaceful means and recommends methods of
adjustment or terms of settlement. To some extend, imposing sanctions or even authorize the
use of force are in placed to maintain or restore international peace and security. It also
recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the
admission of new members to the United Nations. The election of judges for the International
Court of Justice is also under the collaboration of the Security Council and the General
Assembly.
The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946 at Church House,
Westminster, London; and since then has taken permanent residence at the United Nations
Headquarter in New York city. It also travelled to holding sessions in many cities such as
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (in 1972), in Panama City, Panama, and in Geneva, Switzerland (in
1990).

“A representative of each of its members must be present at all times at UN Headquarters so

that the Security Council can meet at any time as the need arises” (UNSC, 2013).

Membership

The council is composed of 15 members including 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent

members. The 5 permanent members are China, France, Russia Federation, the United
Kingdom, and the United States. The 10 non-permanent members, elected for two-year terms
by the General Assembly, with end of term date as follow: Argentina (2014), Australia
(2014), Azerbaijan (2013), Guatemala (2013), Luxembourg (2014), Morocco (2013),
Pakistan (2013), Republic of Korea (2014), Rwanda (2014), and Togo (2013).

Under Article 23, the 10 elected non-permanent members are due regard to the maintenance
of international peace and security as well as to the other purposes of the organization, along
with the equitability of geographical distribution. After the increase of the number of non-
permanent members from eleven to fifteen, two of the four additional members shall be
chosen for a term of one year (instead of two-years term). “A retiring member shall not be
eligible for immediate re-election.” Each of the members (including both permanent and non-
permanent members) shall have one representative.

Over 70 member states have never been members of the Security Council, but they may
participate, without a vote, in the discussions when the Council considers countries’ interest
are affected under the conditions set by the Council (UNSC, 2013).

India ought to be permanent member of UN Security Council: David Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the UN Security Council need to be
modernize and ought to include India as a permanent member (NDTV, 2013).

Saudi Arabia Officially Rejects U.N. Security Council Seat

Saudi Arabia has officially rejected the United Nations Security Council seat it won last
month, clearing the way for a replacement country to be chosen. A bloc of General Assembly
members entitled to fill the nonpermanent seat, must now choose at least one replacement
candidates among themselves, and a special election may be scheduled if more than one
member are challenging for the seat (NY Times, 2013).
Jordan applies for UNSC seat ‘after consulting KSA’

Jordan has officially applied for a two-years term of nonpermanent seat on the UN Security
Council, after Saudi Arabia won a seat and then turned it down. “Jordon is interested in this
seat and realizes its political and diplomatic responsibilities. The country hopes to receive
international support for this application, which comes as a result of Jordon’s balanced and
rational policies,” the Jordanian information minister, Mohammad Momonai, told AFP.
Jordan had a nonpermanent seat in the council twice since 1955 (Arab News, 2013).

Presidency

Under Rule 18, beneath Chapter IV:

The presidency of the Security Council shall be held in turn by the members of the
Security Council in the English alphabetical order of their names. Each President shall
hold office for one calendar month (Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security
Council, 1983).

He shall be the one who preside over the meetings of the Security Council and shall represent
the body as an organ of the United Nations, under its authority. However, when a particular
question is directly connected with the member he represents, he shall indicate this decision
to the Council which would then delegate the presidential chair to the representative member
next in English alphabetical order to successively preside.

Decisions and Voting

Under Article 27,

Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote.

Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an

 affirmative vote of nine members.

Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative
vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members;
provided that, in decisions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3 of Article 52, a
party to a dispute shall abstain from voting (UNSC, 2013).
In 2012, the Security
Council adopted 53
resolutions, 29
presidential statements,
13 notes by the
President, and 78 press
statements. Of the 53
resolutions adopted, 32
were adopted “acting
under Chapter VII of the
Charter,” mostly
concerned the mandates
of United Nations and
regional peacekeeping
missions or
multinational forces,
and sanctions measures.
The council continued to
adopt a vase majority of
draft resolutions in
which 50 were adopted
unanimously. 2 of
which, concerning the

Syrian Arab Republic, were not adopted due to the negative vote of the permanent members
(“Highlights of Security Council Practice,” 2012).
 Structures

“Article 29 of the United Nations Charter sets out that the Security Council may establish
subsidiary bodies as needed for the performance of its functions. This is also reflected in Rule
28 of the Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure.”

All existing committees and working groups are comprised of the 15 members of the Council
who are announced on an annual basis by a Note of the President of the Security Council.
Standing committees are chaired by the President of the Council, rotating on a monthly basis
(Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council, 1983).
The mandate of subsidiary organs, whether they are committees or working groups, can range
from procedural matters (e.g. documentation and procedures, meetings away from
headquarters) to substantive issues (e.g. sanctions regimes, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping
operations) (UNSC, 2013).

Counter-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation Committees

 Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning Counter-

Terrorism
 Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004)

Military Staff Committee

The Military Staff Committee helps plan UN military measures and regulate
armaments.

Sanctions Committees (Ad Hoc)

The use of mandatory sanctions is intended to assert pressure on a state or entity in

order for them to act upon the Security Council objectives or to enforce its decisions, without
resorting the use of force. This enforcement tool is used when peace has been threatened and
diplomatic efforts have failed. It includes comprehensive economic and trade sanctions, arms
embargoes, travel bans, financial or diplomatic restrictions (UNSC, 2013).

 Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009)
concerning Somalia and Eritrea
 Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011)
concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003)
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003)
concerning Liberia
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004)
concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1572 (2004)
 concerning Côte d'Ivoire
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005)
concerning the Sudan
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1636 (2005)
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006)
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006)
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011)
concerning Libya
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011)
 Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2048 (2012)
concerning Guinea-Bissau
 Focal Point for De-listing established pursuant to resolution 1730 (2006)
 Office of the Ombudsperson

Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Bodies

Standing Committees are temporary, open-ended and generally were established to

address certain procedural questions or issue, such as the admission of new members.

 Security Council Committee of Experts

 Security Council Committee on Admission of New Members
 Security Council Committee on Council meetings away from Headquarters
 Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission established by
Security Council resolution 692 (1991)
 Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations
 Security Council Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in
Africa
 Security Council Working Group established pursuant to resolution 1566 (2004)
 Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict established
pursuant to resolution 1612 (2005)
 Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural
Questions

Peacekeeping Operations and Political Missions

  Peacekeeping Missions consists of military, police and civilian personnel, who work
to deliver security, political and early peacebuilding support. Today multidimensional
peacekeeping operations are called upon to facilitate the political process, protect civilians,
assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, support the
organization of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of
law; not simply to maintain peace and security.
 Political Missions are part of a continuum of UN peace operations working in
different stages of the conflict cycle. In some instances, it has been replaces by peacekeeping
missions (UNSC, 2013).

International Courts and Tribunals

 International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY): In 1993, the
Security Council established this first war-crimes court and also the first international war-
crimes tribunal since the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals at the end of WWII, following a
massive humanitarian violation during the fighting in the former Yugoslavia, responsible for
appealing acts such as murder, torture, rape, enslavement, destruction of property and other
violent crimes. It aims to render justice to thousands of victims and their families, thus
contributing to a lasting peace in the area.

 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established in 1994 to

prosecute those responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international
humanitarian law committed in Rwanda between 1 January and 31 December 1994. “In 1998,
the Rwanda Tribunal handed down the first-ever verdict by an international court on the
crime of genocide, as well as the first-ever sentence for that crime.”

Advisory Subsidiary Organ

 Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is an Advisory Subsidiary Body of both the

Security Council and the General Assembly. It is an intergovernmental advisory body that
supports peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict as well as a key addition to the
capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda.

Functions

Under Article 24,

 In order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its Members
confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of
international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this
responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf.
In discharging these duties the Security Council shall act in accordance with the
Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. The specific powers granted to the
Security Council for the discharge of these duties are laid down in Chapters VI, VII,
VIII, and XII.

The Security Council shall submit annual and, when necessary, special reports to the
General Assembly for its consideration.

Under the United Nations Charter,

 To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and
purposes of the United Nations
 To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction
 To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement
 To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments
 To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to
recommend what action should be taken
 To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving
the use of force to prevent or stop aggression
 To take military action against an aggressor
 To recommend the admission of new Members
 To exercise the trusteeship functions of the United Nations in “strategic areas”
 To recommend to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General
and, together with the Assembly, to elect the Judges of the International Court
of Justice.

The Council first action when a complaint concerning a threat to peace is in placed, is usually
to recommend the involved parties to reach agreement by peaceful means which might
somehow undertakes investigation and mediation and/or dispatch a mission. Special
representatives may be appointed and principles for a peaceful settlement may be set forth. A
request to the Secretary-General to use his good offices may be in placed to achieve a pacific
settlement of the dispute.

When the disputes among those parties lead to fighting, the Council’s initiative is to bring it
to an end as soon as possible which might include the issue of cease-fire directives, the
appointment of United Nations peace-keeping forces to help reduce their tensions, keep the
opposing forces apart and create a peaceful environment for settlements. “The Council may
decide on enforcement measures, economic sanctions (such as trade embargoes) or collective
military action.”

“A Member State against which preventive or enforcement action has been taken by the
Security Council may be suspended from the exercise of the rights and privileges of
membership by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. A
Member State which has persistently violated the principles of the Charter may be expelled
from the United Nations by the Assembly on the Council's recommendation.”

Beyond this, the Council may opt for further enforcement measures, including: economic
sanctions, arms embargoes, financial penalties and restrictions, and travel bans. Severance of
diplomatic relations, blockade, or even collective military action may enforce (UNSC, 2013).

Security Council Missions and Agenda

During 2012 the Security Council considered a total of 47 agenda items: 25 dealing with
country-specific/regional situations and 22 with thematic and other issues (for details
regarding agenda items).

Country-specific and regional situations

Over 2/3 of the meetings (155

meetings out of 199 meetings) dealt
with country-specific or regional
situations during 2012. Among these
meetings, Africa accounted for 68%
(90 meetings), followed by the
Middle East (15%), Asia (7%),
Europe (6%) and the Americas (3%)
of the meetings (Provisional Rules of
Procedure of the Security Council,
1983).

Thematic issues
“Out of a total of 199 meetings, 44 meetings considered thematic and other issues. Agenda
items discussed include “Women and peace and security”, “United Nations peacekeeping
operations”, “The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of
international peace and security “, and “Post-conflict peacebuilding”. On 26 November 2012,
the Council held an open debate to consider the implementation of the note by the President
of the Security Council (S/2010/507)” (Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security
Council, 1983).

Missions of the Security Council

 The Security Council mission to Haiti, 13 to 16 February 2012

 The Security Council mission to Uganda and the Sudan, 4 to 10 October 2010
 The Security Council mission to Afghanistan (21 to 24 June 2010)
 The Security Council mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 13 to 16 May
2010
 The Security Council mission to the African Union, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic
of the Congo and Liberia
 The Security Council mission to Haiti (11 to 14 March 2009)
 The Security Council mission to Afghanistan, 21 to 28 November 2008
 The Security Council mission to Djibouti (on Somalia), the Sudan, Chad, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Cote d’lvoire, 31 May to 10 June 2008
 The Security Council mission to Timor-Leste, 24 to 30 November 2007
 The Security Council mission to Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Accra, Abidjan and Kinshasa,
14 to 21 June 2007
 The Security Council mission to Kosovo issue
 The Security Council mission to Afghanistan, 11 to 16 November 2006
 The Security Council mission on the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, 10-12 June 2006
 The Security Council mission to the Sudan and Chad, 4-10 June 2006
 The Security Council mission to Central Africa, 4 to 11 November 2005
 The Security Council mission to Haiti, 13 to 16 April 2005
 The Security Council mission to Central Africa, 21 to 25 November 2004
 The Security Council mission to Afghanistan, 31 October to 7 November 2003
 The Security Council mission to West Africa, 26 June to 5 July 2003
 The Security Council mission to Central Africa, 7 to 16 June 2003
 The Security Council mission to Kosovo and Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
14-17 December 2002
 The Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region, 27 April to 7 May 2002
 The Security Council mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea, 21-25 February 2002
 The Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region, 15-26 May 2001
 The Security Council mission to East Timor and Indonesia
 The Security Council mission to Sierra Leone
 The Security Council mission to Jakarta and Dili, 8-10 September 1999
 The Security Council mission to Western Sahara from 3 to 9 June 1995
 The Security Council mission to Rwanda on 12 and 13 February 1995
 The Security Council mission to Burundi on 10 and 11 February 1995
 The Security Council mission to Somalia on 26 and 27 October 1994
 The Security Council mission to Burundi on 13 and 14 August 1994

Conclusion

The Security Council is one of the main organs of the United Nations with the primary
responsibility of maintaining international peace and security whenever it is being threatened.
The Council consists of 15 members, having 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members in
which each member shall have one vote. The 5 permanent members include the United
States, the United Kingdom, Republics of China, Russia Federation, and France; of whom
having a veto power over the decision making of the council as well as other resolutions that
are required to pass. The 10 non-permanent members which are elected for two-years term by
the General Assembly, include Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Luxembourg,
Morocco, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, and Togo. The presidency of the Council,
who chaired the Standing Committees, shall hold office for one calendar month in the
English alphabetical order of their names.
The Security Council may establish subsidiary bodies under Article 29 of the United Nations
Charter to perform specific functions as necessities. Those subsidiary organs include
Counter-Terrorism and Non-Proliferation Committees, Military Staff Committee, Sanctions
Committees (Ad Hoc), Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Bodies, Peacekeeping Operations
and Political Missions, International Courts and Tribunals, and Advisory Subsidiary Organ.

The Council immediately action is when a complaint concerning threat to peace is in placed,
then the recommendations to reach agreements usually take place. And when the disputes
lead to fighting, the Council’s initiative is to bring it down. Beyond this, the council may
impose sanctions once the disputed parties fail to obey the principles of the Charter.

References

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Jordon applies for UNSC seat after consulting KSA. (November 19, 2013). Retrieved from
http://www.arabnews.com/news/479816

Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council. (1983). United Nations.

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