The UN Charter has entrusted the
primary responsibility for maintenance of international
peace and security. It is so urgent so as to function
continuously. The Security Council thus is authorised to
function on the following set up.
(i) The Presidency of the Council rotates according
to the alphabetical order of the member states.
(ii) The Council consists of 15 members, i. e.,
5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members elected for a two
years term by a two-third majority of the General Assembly.
(iii) Retiring members are not eligible for immediate
re-election.
(iv) Any other member of the UN can participate in
the discussion on the questions of their interests without
any vote.
(v) Decisions on procedural issues are made by an
affirmative vote of nine members.
(vi) Decisions on all other matters must be made by
nine affirmative votes, inclusive of all
permanent members.
(vii) Only in the case of disputes, the affected
members abstain from voting. A negative vote from a
permanent member has the power of Veto. However, the
permanent member can also abstain from voting.
(viii) Only in the case of decisions taken by the
Security Council which is decisive in nature and is
obligatory for compliance on the member states.
(ix) The Council has two standing committees as
indicated below :
Committee of Experts on Rule of
Procedure
Committee on the Admission of New
Members
(x) Further, the Council can
have also ad-hoc committees and commissions.
(xi) When any issue concerning threat to peace is
brought before the Council, its first action is to recommend
peaceful settlement of the issue by the parties concerned.
(xii) In the threat cases the CounciI may undertake
mediation, decide threat principles for settlement, enforce
decision for cease-fire, economic sanctions, peace-making
mission or even collective military action.
(xii) In accordance with special agreement for
international peace and security, the Council can call on
the armed forces, assistance and facilities of the member.
Thus the Council may obtain the assistance from the Military
Staff Committee, consisting of Chief of Staff of permanent
members of the Council or his representatives.
(xiii) The Council makes recommendations to the
General Assembly for the post of Secretary General.
(xiv) The Council with the Assembly elects the Judges
of the International Court of Justice.
(xv) Permanent members of the Council are: China,
France, Russia, UK and USA.
(xvi) Non-permanent members are: Algeria, Brazil,
Benin, Philippines and Romania (from 1st January, 2004 to
31st December, 2005), Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Greece and
Tanjania (from 1st January, 2004 to 31st December, 2006).
