Important Facts For Prelims
Article 99 of the UN Charter
- 09 Dec 2023
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Recently, the United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter.
- This move was intended to warn the UN Security Council about the danger caused by Israel's actions in Gaza. This step is meant to draw attention to the pressing need to prevent a major humanitarian disaster in the area.
What is Article 99 of the UN Charter?
- Article 99 is a provision within the United Nations Charter, serving as the U.N.'s constitution.
- It empowers the secretary-general to bring attention to the Security Council about matters that, in their opinion, could threaten international peace and security.
- Article 99 is considered discretionary, allowing the Secretary-General to highlight critical issues, and it requires the Security Council's attention when invoked.
- This article has been sparingly used, with previous invocations including addressing the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960, Tunisia's complaint against France's military actions in 1961, and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Charter of the United Nations
- The Charter of the UN is the founding document of the UN. It was signed on 26th June 1945, in San Francisco and came into force on 24th October 1945.
- The UN can take action on a wide variety of issues due to its unique international character and the powers vested in its Charter, which is considered an international treaty.
- As such, the UN Charter is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the primary judicial body of the United Nations, operates by its Statute, annexed to the UN Charter as an integral part.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
Prelims
Q. The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of (2009)
(a) 1 year
(b) 2 years
(c) 3 years
(d) 5 years
Ans: (b)
Mains
Q. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. (2017)
