Urgent need for reforms in the functioning of the UNSC : P. Harish, India’s permanent representative to the UN

India reiterates its demand

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Harish

Geneva (Switzerland) – India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, emphasized the urgent need for reforms in the functioning of the UN Security Council while speaking at an intergovernmental conference at the UN.

P. Harish said,

1. The demand in this Chamber for reforms is loud and clear. This call gains greater significance at a time when the world is expressing apprehensions at the ability of the United Nations to deliver, to meaningfully intervene on issues of key importance to humanity in different parts of the globe.

2. There is a need for more transparency in workings of the UN Security Council’s subsidiary bodies. While decisions on listing are made public, details pertaining to rejection or putting on technical hold of listing requests are the exclusive preserve of a select few. This is indeed a disguised veto.

3. Justification must be provided when requests to blacklist terrorist organisations are denied or put on hold.

4. On various occasions in the past, the Council’s veto-wielding member China, an all-weather friend of Pakistan, has placed holds and blocks on bids by India to list Pakistan-based terrorists.

5. While an overwhelming number of Member States acknowledge that reforms are indeed an imperative, there has been practically no progress along this direction. We have had numerous discussions and debates. We speak passionately but we continue to be where we are. It is time to move forward. It is time to show results.

Editorial Perspective

Overall, the United Nations has become a mere puppet. Given the significant financial expenditure on the organisation, it is essential to assess the effectiveness of its actions and decisions. If there are no changes in its working structure, dissolving the organisation would be the most appropriate course of action !