Usefull information

Background

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is so organized as to be able to function continuously, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at United Nations Headquarters. On 31 January 1992, the first ever Summit Meeting of the Council was convened at Headquarters, attended by Heads of State and Government of 13 of its 15 members and by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the remaining two. The Council may meet elsewhere than at Headquarters; in 1972, it held a session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the following year in Panama City, Panama.

When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before it, the Council\'s first action is usually to recommend to the parties to try to reach agreement by peaceful means. In some cases, the Council itself undertakes investigation and mediation. It may appoint special representatives or request the Secretary-General to do so or to use his good offices. It may set forth principles for a peaceful settlement.

When a dispute leads to fighting, the Council\'s first concern is to bring it to an end as soon as possible. On many occasions, the Council has issued cease-fire directives which have been instrumental in preventing wider hostilities. It also sends United Nations peace-keeping forces to help reduce tensions in troubled areas, keep opposing forces apart and create conditions of calm in which peaceful settlements may be sought. 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.

A State which is a Member of the United Nations but not of the Security Council may participate, without a vote, in its discussions when the Council considers that that country\'s interests are affected. Both Members of the United Nations and non-members, if they are parties to a dispute being considered by the Council, are invited to take part, without a vote, in the Council\'s discussions; the Council sets the conditions for participation by a non-member State.

The presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member States.

Members



The Council has 15 members-- five permanent members and 10 elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms:

Membership and Presidency of the Security Council in 2001

Month
Presidency
Membership Term Ends

January
Singapore
31 December 2002

February
Tunisia
31 December 2001

March
Ukraine
31 December 2001

April
United Kingdom
Permanent Member

May
United States
Permanent Member

June
Bangladesh
31 December 2001

July
China
Permanent Member

August
Colombia
31 December 2002

September
France
Permanent Member

October
Ireland
31 December 2002

November
Jamaica
31 December 2001

December
Mali
31 December 2001

Mauritius
31 December 2002

Norway
31 December 2002

Russian Federation
Permanent Member


The following countries began their two-year membership term on 1 January 2001:

Colombia Ireland
Mauritius Norway
Singapore

Each Council member has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of at least nine of the 15 members. Decisions onsubstantive matters require nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of \"great Power unanimity\", often referred to as the \"veto\" power.

Under the Charter, all Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to Governments, the Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are obligated under the Charter to carry out.

Functions and Powers


Under the Charter, the functions and powers of the Security Council are:

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 threat to 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 and the terms on which States may become parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice;
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.
Structure



Committees:

Standing Committees -- There are two committees at present, and each includes representatives of all Security Council member States.


Committee of Experts on Rules of Procedure (studies and advises on rules of procedure and other technical matters)
Committee on Admission of New Members

Ad Hoc Committees -- They are established as needed, comprise all Council members and meet in closed session.


Security Council Committee on Council meeting away from Headquarters
Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission established by Security Council resolution 692 (1991)

Working Group on General Issues on Sanctions
Sanctions Committees, an Overview :

Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990) concerning the situation between Iraq and Kuwait
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 748 (1992) concerning the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993) concerning the situation in Angola
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 918 (1994) concerning Rwanda
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 985 (1995) concerning Liberia
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1132 (1997) concerning Sierra Leone
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1160 (1998)
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Afghanistan
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1298 (2000) concerning the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia
Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1343 (2001) concerning Liberia
Peace-keeping Operations
Between June 1948 and August 2000, there have been 53 United Nations peace-keeping operations.

International Tribunals
International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia - established by S/RES/808(1993) - International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY);

International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States - established by S/RES/955 (1994