Security Council Reform - General Articles - UN Security Council

Security Council Accused of Overstepping Bounds (April 12, 2007)
Veering from its traditional agenda of preserving international peace and security, the UN Security Council plans to hold a meeting to discuss the issue of climate change. The Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement have denounced this decision as evidence of the SC’s “ever-increasing encroachment” on the mandates of the UN’s other main bodies. Citing the UN Charter, they argue that the Council should only “come into action when there are actual threats to peace or breaches of the peace.” (Inter Press Service)

UN Reforms Not Possible Without Security Council Expansion: Sen (November 22, 2006)
In this Zee News article, India’s Ambassador Nirupam Sen warns against maintaining the status quo of the UN Security Council. He also points out that the Council’s encroachment on the General Assembly’s area of competence leads to the “marginalization” of the Assembly. The ambassador calls for expanding the Security Council membership, as well as ensuring that the General Assembly keeps a strong and effective role.

UN Security Council Edicts Challenged (October 26, 2006)
This Inter Press Service article analyzes permanent member’s domination and influence at the UN Security Council. The author denounces action driven by national interests and the “double standards” of the Council’s resolutions, which allow some countries to possess nuclear weapons whilst forbidding others. Citing the endorsement of the Iraq occupation by the 15 members of the Security Council, the author comments on the UN inability to prevent powerful nations, such as the US, to dictate their will. The article concludes that the disregard for international law and double standards call into question the legitimacy of the top UN body.

A Bigger Security Council, With Power to Act (September 26, 2006)
With UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urging reform of the UN Security Council, this International Herald Tribune article calls on the US government to make reform of the institution a top priority. The author proposes to expand of the Council and abolish the veto for all Security Council resolutions authorizing direct action in response to a crisis. “We need a Security Council that is both representative and effective,” the author concludes.

Revitalizing the United Nations: Reform through Weighted Voting (2004)
Professor Joseph Schwartzberg advocates reform of the Security Council and General Assembly through a system of weighted votes. The weighted vote in both UN organs would depend on members' relative population, financial contribution to the UN budget, and share of the total UN membership. (Institute for Global Policy/World Federalist Movement)

A Radical Vision for the Future of the UN (October 24, 2004)
The author points to past Security Council failures, citing the Iraq war amongst others, and calls for radical reform of the UN multilateral system by abolishing the Security Council. In its place, he proposes that nationally elected representatives make decisions through the General Assembly based on transparent processes and majority rule. The author further advocates a "gradual shift of military power" from nations to the UN. Radical reform is highly unlikely given national interests and global power structures, and even "pragmatic" reforms do little to shift the balance of power. (ZNet)

Governing the Globe (June 14, 2003)
Britain's proposed Security Council reforms address current economic and political power realities. The Guardian argues that the reforms amount to “doodling in the margins of the global narrative” because the reforms do not acknowledge the influence of non-state actors, such as activists.

The In-Security Council - Dump It or Grow It? (May 12, 2003)
Article 30 of the UN Charter states that the Security Council can "adopt its own rules of procedure." Arguing that this unique privilege keeps the Security Council undemocratic and outdated, the author calls for a change to ensure the equality of all UN member states. (Media Monitors Network)

Reforming the United Nations Security Council: Will its Time Ever Come? (March 17, 2003)
Jeffrey Laurenti remarks that the issue of Security Council reform - a hot topic in the 1990's - is now a low priority on the global agenda. Rather than continuing the debate in terms of preferential treatment, he suggests re-framing the discussion in terms of Security Council effectiveness in the 21st century. (UNA-USA)

Who's In, Who's Out: UN Security Council Mulls Reform (October 16, 2002)
As the five permanent members of the UN Security Council negotiate a resolution on Iraq, the Christian Science Monitor discusses the question of Security Council reform. After nine years of discussion, nations cannot find agreement on expending the size of the Council adding new Permanent Members, or other changes, though all agree that reform is needed.

G-8 Foreign Ministers to Discuss UNSC Reform (July 7, 2000)
For the first time, the issue of UN Security Council reform will be included in the Group of 8 summit document. The G8 will also discuss problems of "conflict diamonds" in Africa and aim for the elimination of small arms. (Yomiuri Shinbun)

Countries Must Fall in Line to Promote Annan's Vision (June 17, 1999)
In this opinion piece from the South Africa Business Day, the author urges member states to support the UN and advocates broad UN reform measures, such as reshuffling the Security Council and changing budget contribution policies.

UN Security Council Relegated to Sidelines (March 14, 1999)
In this article, diplomats point out some of the current weaknesses of the Security Council. Are the problems the result of a changing world? or of members' unwillingness to cooperate? (New York Times)