Facing the Flaws of the UN Security Council

Published in Kyoto Shinbun
(Japan) on 8 April 2022
by (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Dani Long. Edited by Patricia Simoni.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is bringing flaws in the United Nations to the fore. The Charter of the United Nations designates that the chief responsibility of the U.N. is to maintain peace and safety. But after more than a month, the U.N. continues to do nothing as the fight in Ukraine intensifies and civilian sacrifices escalate. This is because Russian representatives are exercising their right of veto as permanent members of the Security Council.

The world is paying close attention to the fact that the U.N., established in the aftermath of World War II, has been unable to fulfill its primary duty to prevent war. “Are you ready to close the U.N.?” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the U.N. at a Security Council meeting, calling for reforms in the international body, which has not moved to stop the aggression.

Since the invasion began, the Security Council has met more than 10 times but has not adopted a legally binding resolution even once. Russia vetoed a resolution to condemn the actions of Russia presented by the United States and other nations. A resolution led by France and other nations addressing the humanitarian crisis also was also rejected. A resolution condemning Russia was passed, though by the U.N. General Assembly rather than by the Security Council.

Although it is meaningful to demonstrate consensus within the international community, there are limits to the pressure that can be put on Russia. The U.N. Security Council guarantees a permanent position on the council to the five victorious nations of World War II: the U.S., the U.K., France, China and Russia. These nations have the right to veto resolutions introduced to the Security Council. This is because both cooperation and the “principle of unity among world powers” are important in order to maintain world peace.

But, because nations repeatedly utilize their veto in connection to their nation’s own interests, there have been strong calls for reform of the Security Council. Japan, Germany, Brazil and India have jointly submitted reform proposals twice, so far, to expand the number of permanent and non-permanent members. On the other hand, permanent members are reluctant to hand over things that benefit them.

Also, although the U.S. has indicated understanding regarding Ukraine’s discontent, it has expressed a negative attitude toward changing the status quo, saying that it doesn’t think Russia’s position will change. It should be acknowledged that the Security Council’s fundamental reason for existing is on shaky ground.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also indicated a desire to reform the United Nations, referencing constraints on the right of veto and the necessity of “a new framework for the international order.” Japan needs to play a leading role in U.N. reform in cooperation with the many countries and international voices calling for the prevention of war.


ロシアによるウクライナへの軍事侵攻に対し、国連の機能不全が浮き彫りになっている。

国連憲章は、安全保障理事会を平和と安全を維持することに主要な責任を負う機関としている。

だが、1カ月以上に及ぶ戦闘激化と民間人の犠牲拡大に手を打てずにいる。

当事者のロシアが、安保理の常任理事国として拒否権を行使しているためだ。

第2次世界大戦の反省から創設された国連が、戦争を防ぐ本来の役割を果たせていないことに、世界から厳しい目が注がれている。

「国連を閉鎖するつもりですか」。ウクライナのゼレンスキー大統領は安保理会合で、侵略阻止に動かない国連の改革を訴えた。

侵攻が始まって以降、安保理は10回以上開かれたが、法的拘束力を持つ決議は一度も採択されていない。

米国などが提出したロシア非難決議案は、ロシアが拒否権を行使して否決した。フランスなどが主導した人道状況の改善を訴える決議案も受け入れられず、安保理ではなく総会で非難決議などが採択された。

国際社会の総意を示す意味はあるものの、ロシアへの圧力としては限界がある。

安保理は、第2次大戦の戦勝国である米英仏中ロの5カ国が、拒否権を有する常任理事国として恒久的地位を保障されている。

世界平和の維持には大国が協調して行動することが必要との「大国一致の原則」の考えからだ。

だが、自国の利害に絡んでたびたび拒否権が行使されてきたことから、安保理改革を求める声は以前から根強い。
日本とドイツ、ブラジル、インドの4カ国は、これまで2度、常任・非常任理事国の拡大を掲げた改革案を共同で提出した。

これに対し、常任理事国は既得権益を手放すことに抵抗感が強い。

今回も、米国はウクライナの不満に理解を示すものの、ロシアの立場が「変わるとは思わない」として、現状変更に否定的な姿勢をみせている。

身動きが取れない安保理の存在意義が、根本から揺らいでいると認識すべきだ。

岸田文雄首相は、拒否権の抑制や「新たな国際秩序の枠組み」の必要性にも言及し、国連改革に意欲を示している。戦争阻止を求める多くの国々や国際世論と協調して、国連改革への主導的な役割を果たすことが求められる。
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