UK joins 128-nation push to curb UN vetoes in genocide, atrocity cases
NEW YORK, Sept 22 — The United Kingdom has signed on to an initiative urging UN Security Council permanent members...
The United Kingdom has joined an international effort to limit the use of vetoes by permanent UN Security Council members in cases of mass atrocities, such as genocide, Mexico and France announced on Monday. The initiative, initially proposed by Mexico and France in 2015, currently has the support of 128 countries, coming within one nation of reaching the necessary two-thirds majority of UN member states.
The Security Council has been hindered in its ability to act on numerous issues in recent years due to the five permanent veto-wielding members: France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and the United States. By endorsing this political declaration, countries are showing their dedication to ensuring the Security Council can effectively carry out its primary duty of maintaining international peace and security, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco.
Although the resolution would remain non-binding even with a two-thirds majority, officials hope it will make it more challenging for a permanent member to employ its veto in instances of such severe emergencies.
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