By Kashmala Ishfaq Elahi
“The campaign launched by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the UN General Assembly emphasizes that ‘The world is bigger than five.’ As ordinary individuals, we share a common passion for rights and equality, as well as a fervent interest in diplomacy, supporting democratization.
The assertion that the world is more extensive than just the five permanent members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) US, UK, France, China, and Russia is at the core of this message. We advocate against limiting the Security Council to these five countries, and their opinions should not represent the entire world. All 195 member countries, regardless of their permanent or non-permanent status, should have the potential to join the Security Council. This inclusivity is essential to global happiness, preventing the dominance of the aforementioned states based on their interests, will, and political motives.
To foster a more equitable world, oppressed states must be given a platform to voice their perspectives on global issues. This necessitates opening both permanent and non-permanent Security Council seats to new members from subjugated states, empowering the General Assembly to enforce UN decisions, and expanding the role of the Secretary-General. Crucially, ending the veto power of Security Council’s permanent members is paramount for global equality.
In the modern era, we continue to live under an authoritarian administration, controlled by the Security Council’s dominating body with permanent members. This body authorizes the use of force and imposes sanctions, asserting itself as a ‘Holy cow.’ The imperial body’s inaction results in the death of issues, and the veto power of permanent members stifles resolutions. Dieter Heinrich of the World Federalist highlights the lack of distinction between legislative, executive, and judiciary branches within the Security Council system, criticizing the UN charter for concentrating power in this body.
The five permanent members of this exclusive body have formed an unchecked nuclear club, exacerbating the imperialistic control over institutions like the UN, World Bank, IMF, IAEA, etc. Despite portraying themselves as ‘international,’ these bodies serve the interests of imperialist powers, particularly US imperialism. As long as this persists, the UN will remain a tool wielded by capitalism to subjugate workers and oppressed coun tries worldwide.”
—-
The writer is studying Politics and International relations at International Islamic University Islamabad.