by Klaus Doring
The United Nations Organization (UNO) is an international establishment of almost 200 states, which united in mutual obligation and duty to guarantee world peace and humanitarian living conditions. During the past almost 60 years, its members have been quadrupled. The United Nations is herewith the only global organization which can entitle universal acceptance of its principles and goals.
Mostly, the political practice shapes slowly. The willingness to compromise collides frequently with national self-interests. The “General Non-aggression Treaty” (Article 2, Clause 4) of the UN-Charter can be described as real global constitution and basic standards of international law. It takes away the right of every single country to use violation or the threat of violation to guarantee national interests’ realization. Only two exceptions exist: Article 51 says: “An attacked country is allowed self-defense, or this country ask other countries (alliances) for collective help”.
Chapter 7 says: “Authorization through the UN-Security Council. Compulsory measures and sanctions against the ‘peace-troublemaker’ are correspondingly possible”. So far, so good… .
Peace doesn’t only mean the simple absence of war. The global responsibility and tasks of the UN is undisputed, indispensable and inescapable. Considerable difficulties during responsibility’s perception may be observed, especially during the last several years.
The world bears already a serious crisis-prone global situation, while the UN still works with its antique institutional structures, working methods and decision procedures. Let’s be honest and face it!
The peace missions by the so-called “UN Blue Helmets” became a part since the late 1950s. But, due to the increasing worldwide crises and battles forced the UN to face more and more challenges and provocations: civil wars, genocides, expulsions, tortures, human rights violations – always new efforts for international security and establishment of peace have been demanded. The old “classical peacekeeping” became more and more an over taxation.
Just to mention two: the “Tragedy of Rwanda 1994”, when more then 800,000 (!) people were killed remains as a dark chapter. And then the “Tragedy of Srebrencia” with thousands of Bosnian men killed before the eyes of the UNPROFOR (UN Protection Force) remains in my mind. Where can we find the UN between responsibility or self-blockade?
New missions must follow soon, i.e. the UNTAET (UN Transitional Authority in East Timor). BUT, the UNO will only remain capable of acting if its members stand together and make sure it is possible. Urgent necessary reforms, i.e. new positions on the veto should be done. Then the United Nations may be able to take over its global responsibility instead pausing many times in dangerous self-blockade.
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On the spot: After a ten-year moratorium, exploration on the future of the German “Gorleben” nuclear waste dump is to resume! But, Germany’s Green Party and environmental leaders are protesting against the decision. Even being an “expat” living in the Philippines, you can count on me to join the protesters!
Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or follow me in Facebook.
