UNGA adopts resolution requiring vetoists

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UNGA adopts resolution requiring vetoists

The 193 members of the United Nations General AssemblyUnited Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus Tuesday requiring the five permanent members of the Security Council to justify their use of the veto.

The push for reform, which was greeted with applause in the chamber, was revived by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

An ambassador who asked to remain anonymous said the measure was intended to make the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain pay a higher political price when they use the veto to strike down a Security Council resolution.

It is not clear if the five permanent members will use the veto less, or more - as they might propose controversial texts they know their rivals will veto only to force them to justify their position publicly.

The measure was first proposed more than two years ago, and allows for the General Assembly to convene within 10 working days after a veto to hold a debate on the situation as to which the veto was cast, according to the text.

Almost 100 countries joined Liechtenstein in co-sponsoring the reform, including the United States, Britain and France, a rapid rally of support that caused widespread surprise at the UN.

Neither China nor Russia were among the sponsors. A diplomat from one of the two countries, who asked not to be named, criticized the move, saying it will divide the UN even further.

The measure will create a new procedure, according to Liechtenstein's ambassador Christian Wenaweser, who insisted the proposal is not against anyone. He said that the proposal was not directed against Russia despite the fact that the Security Council has proved incapable of condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, due to Moscow's veto power.

Russia has abused its right of veto for two decades and the proposed text is intended to remedy the situation, according to the United States' perspective.

Wenaweser said the text was intended to promote multilateralism, to promote multilateralism and to promote the voice of all those who are not veto holders and who are not on the Security Council on matters of international peace and security. It isn't binding, and nothing prevents a country from refusing to explain its actions to the General Assembly.

One ambassador said that it will shed light on the use of the veto and the blockade of the Security Council, as well as on condition of anonymity.

The Security Council also has 10 members elected for two years, without the right of veto.

Among the co-sponsors of the resolution were both Japan and Germany, who are hoping to become permanent members of a potentially enlarged Security Council.

Neither Brazil nor India, two other potential candidates for a permanent position on the Council, are on the list of co-sponsors obtained by the AFP.