Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice

Table of Contents Introductory Note Preamble To The Charter Of The United Nations Charter Of The United Nations Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III Chapter IV Chapter V Chapter VI Chapter VII Purposes and Principles Membership Organs The General ssembly The !ecurity Council Pacific !ettlement Of "isputes ction #ith $espect To Threats To The Peace% &reaches Of The Peace and cts of ggression $egional rrangements International (conomic nd !ocial Co-Operation The (conomic nd !ocial Council "eclaration $egarding Non-!elf-Go)erning Territories International Trusteeship !ystem The Trusteeship Council The International Court Of *ustice The !ecretariat Miscellaneous Pro)isions Transitional !ecurity rrangements mendments $atification and !ignature

Chapter VIII Chapter I' Chapter ' Chapter 'I Chapter 'II -

Chapter 'III Chapter 'IV Chapter 'V Chapter 'VI Chapter 'VII Chapter 'VIII Chapter 'I' -

Statute Of The International Court Of Justice

INTRODUCTORY NOTE The Charter of the United Nations .as signed on -/ *une +012% in !an 3rancisco% at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organi,ation% and came into force on -1 October +0124 The !tatute of the International Court of *ustice is an integral part of the Charter4 mendments to rticles -5% -6 and /+ of the Charter .ere adopted by the General ssembly on +6 "ecember +0/5 and came into force on 5+ ugust +0/24 further amendment to rticle /+ .as adopted by the General ssembly on -7 "ecember +06+% and came into force on -1 !eptember +0654 n amendment to rticle +70% adopted by the General ssembly on -7 "ecember +0/2% came into force on +- *une +0/84 The amendment to rticle -5 enlarges the membership of the !ecurity Council from ele)en to fifteen4 The amended rticle -6 pro)ides that decisions of the !ecurity Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmati)e )ote of nine members 9formerly se)en: and on all other matters by an affirmati)e )ote of nine members 9formerly se)en:% including the concurring )otes of the fi)e permanent members of the !ecurity Council4 The amendment to rticle /+% .hich entered into force on 5+ ugust +0/2% enlarged the membership of the (conomic and !ocial Council from eighteen to [Link])en4 The subse;uent amendment to that rticle% .hich entered into force on -1 !eptember +065% further increased the membership of the Council from [Link]-se)en to fifty-four4 The amendment to rticle +70% .hich relates to the first paragraph of that rticle% pro)ides that a General Conference of Member !tates for the purpose of re)[Link] the Charter may be held at a date and place to be fi<ed by a t.o-thirds )ote of the members of the General ssembly and by a )ote of any nine members 9formerly se)en: of the !ecurity Council4 Paragraph 5 of rticle +70% .hich deals .ith the consideration of a possible re)ie. conference during the tenth regular session of the General ssembly% has been retained in its original form in its reference to a =)ote% of any se)en members of the !ecurity Council=% the paragraph ha)ing been acted upon in +022 by the General ssembly% at its tenth regular session% and by the !ecurity Council4

PREAMBLE TO THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITE NATION ETE!"INE to sa)e succeeding generations from the scourge of .ar% .hich [Link] in our lifetime has brought untold sorro. to man>ind% and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights% in the dignity and .orth of the human person% in the e;ual rights of men and .omen and of nations large and small% and to establish conditions under .hich ?ustice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international la. can be maintained% and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom% AN FO! THESE EN S to practice tolerance and li)e together in peace .ith one another as good neighbours% and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security% and to ensure% by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods% that armed force shall not be used% sa)e in the common interest% and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social ad)ancement of all peoples% HA#E !ESOL#E TO CO"$INE OU! EFFO!TS TO ACCO"PLISH THESE AI"S ccordingly% our respecti)e Go)ernments% through representati)es assembled in the city of !an 3rancisco% .ho ha)e e<hibited their full [Link] found to be in good and due form% ha)e agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organi,ation to be >no.n as the United Nations4

CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHAPTE! I PURPOSES AND PRINCIPLES Article 1 The Purposes of the United Nations are@ +4 To maintain international peace and security% and to that end@ to ta>e effecti)e collecti)e measures for the pre)ention and remo)al of threats to the peace% and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace% and to bring about by peaceful means% and in conformity .ith the principles of ?ustice and international la.% ad?ustment or settlement of international disputes or situations .hich might lead to a breach of the peaceA -4 To de)elop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of e;ual rights and self-determination of peoples% and to ta>e other appropriate measures to strengthen uni)ersal peaceA 54 To achie)e international co-operation in sol)ing international problems of an economic% social% cultural% or humanitarian character% and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all .ithout distinction as to race% se<% language% or religionA and 14 To be a centre for harmoni,ing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends4 Article % The Organi,ation and its Members% in pursuit of the Purposes stated in rticle +% shall act in accordance .ith the [Link] Principles4 +4 The Organi,ation is based on the principle of the so)ereign e;uality of all its Members4 -4 ll Members% in order to ensure to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from membership% shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance .ith the present Charter4 54 ll Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security% and ?ustice% are not endangered4

14 ll Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state% or in any other manner inconsistent .ith the Purposes of the United Nations4 24 ll Members shall gi)e the United Nations e)ery assistance in any action it ta>es in accordance .ith the present Charter% and shall refrain from gi)ing assistance to any state against .hich the United Nations is ta>ing pre)enti)e or enforcement action4 /4 The Organi,ation shall ensure that states .hich are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance .ith these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security4 64 Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authori,e the United Nations to inter)ene in matters .hich are essentially .ithin the domestic ?urisdiction of any state or shall re;uire the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present CharterA but this principle shall not pre?udice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII4

CHAPTE! II MEMBERSHIP Article & The original Members of the United Nations shall be the states .hich% ha)ing participated in the United Nations Conference on International Organi,ation at !an 3rancisco% or ha)ing pre)iously signed the "eclaration by United Nations of + *anuary +01-% sign the present Charter and ratify it in accordance .ith rticle ++74 Article ' +4 Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-lo)ing states .hich accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and% in the ?udgment of the Organi,ation% are able and .illing to carry out these obligations4 -4 The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations .ill be effected by a decision of the General ssembly upon the recommendation of the !ecurity Council4 Article ( Member of the United Nations against .hich pre)enti)e or enforcement action has been ta>en by the !ecurity Council may be suspended from the e<ercise of the rights and pri)ileges of membership by the General ssembly upon the recommendation of the !ecurity Council4 The e<ercise of these rights and pri)ileges may be restored by the !ecurity Council4 Article ) Member of the United Nations .hich has persistently )iolated the Principles contained in the present Charter may be e<pelled from the Organi,ation by the General ssembly upon the recommendation of the !ecurity Council4

CHAPTE! III ORGANS Article * +4 There are established as the principal organs of the United Nations@ a General ssembly% a !ecurity Council% an (conomic and !ocial Council% a Trusteeship Council% an International Court of *ustice% and a !ecretariat4 -4 !uch subsidiary organs as may be found necessary may be established in accordance .ith the present Charter4 Article + The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and .omen to participate in any capacity and under conditions of e;uality in its principal and subsidiary organs4

CHAPTE! I# THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Compos t on Article , +4 The General ssembly shall consist of all the Members of the United Nations4

-4 (ach Member shall ha)e not more than fi)e representati)es in the General ssembly4 F!n"t ons an# Po$e%s Article 1The General ssembly may discuss any ;uestions or any matters .ithin the scope of the present Charter or relating to the [Link] and functions of any organs pro)ided for in the present Charter% and% e<cept as pro)ided in rticle +-% may ma>e recommendations to the Members of the United Nations or to the !ecurity Council or to both on any such ;uestions or matters4 Article 11 +4 The General ssembly may consider the general principles of co-operation in the maintenance of international peace and security% including the principles go)erning disarmament and the regulation of armaments% and may ma>e recommendations .ith regard to such principles to the Members or to the !ecurity Council or to both4 -4 The General ssembly may discuss any ;uestions relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any Member of the United Nations% or by the !ecurity Council% or by a state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations in accordance .ith rticle 52% paragraph -% and% e<cept as pro)ided in rticle +-% may ma>e recommendations .ith regard to any such ;uestions to the state or states concerned or to the !ecurity Council or to both4 ny such ;uestion on .hich action is necessary shall be referred to the !ecurity Council by the General ssembly either before or after discussion4 54 The General ssembly may call the attention of the !ecurity Council to situations .hich are li>ely to endanger international peace and security4 14 The [Link] of the General ssembly set forth in this rticle shall not limit the general scope of rticle +74

Article 1% +4 #hile the !ecurity Council is e<ercising in respect of any dispute or situation the functions assigned to it in the present Charter% the General ssembly shall not ma>e any recommendation .ith regard to that dispute or situation unless the !ecurity Council so re;uests4 -4 The !ecretary-General% .ith the consent of the !ecurity Council% shall notify the General ssembly at each session of any matters relati)e to the maintenance of international peace and security .hich are being dealt .ith by the !ecurity Council and shall similarly notify the General ssembly% or the Members of the United Nations if the General ssembly is not in session% immediately the !ecurity Council ceases to deal .ith such matters4 Article 1& +4 The General ssembly shall initiate studies and ma>e recommendations for the purpose of@ a4 promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressi)e de)elopment of international la. and its codificationA b4 promoting international co-operation in the economic% social% cultural% educational% and health fields% and assisting in the reali,ation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all .ithout distinction as to race% se<% language% or religion4 -4 The further responsibilities% functions and [Link] of the General ssembly .ith respect to matters mentioned in paragraph + 9b: abo)e are set forth in Chapters I' and '4 Article 1' !ub?ect to the pro)isions of rticle +-% the General ssembly may recommend measures for the peaceful ad?ustment of any situation% regardless of origin% .hich it deems li>ely to impair the general .elfare or friendly relations among nations% including situations resulting from a )iolation of the pro)isions of the present Charter setting forth the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations4 Article 1( +4 The General ssembly shall recei)e and consider annual and special reports from the !ecurity CouncilA these reports shall include an account of the measures that the !ecurity Council has decided upon or ta>en to maintain international peace and security4

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-4 The General ssembly shall recei)e and consider reports from the other organs of the United Nations4 Article 1) The General ssembly shall perform such functions .ith respect to the international trusteeship system as are assigned to it under Chapters 'II and 'III% including the appro)al of the trusteeship agreements for areas not designated as strategic4 Article 1* +4 The General ssembly shall consider and appro)e the budget of the Organi,ation4

-4 The e<penses of the Organi,ation shall be borne by the Members as apportioned by the General ssembly4 54 The General ssembly shall consider and appro)e any financial and budgetary arrangements .ith speciali,ed agencies referred to in rticle 26 and shall e<amine the administrati)e budgets of such speciali,ed agencies .ith a )ie. to ma>ing recommendations to the agencies concerned4 &ot n' Article 1+ +4 (ach member of the General ssembly shall ha)e one )ote4

-4 "ecisions of the General ssembly on important ;uestions shall be made by a t.o-thirds ma?ority of the members present and )oting4 These ;uestions shall include@ recommendations .ith respect to the maintenance of international peace and security% the election of the non-permanent members of the !ecurity Council% the election of the members of the (conomic and !ocial Council% the election of members of the Trusteeship Council in accordance .ith paragraph + 9c: of rticle 8/% the admission of ne. Members to the United Nations% the suspension of the rights and pri)ileges of membership% the e<pulsion of Members% ;uestions relating to the operation of the trusteeship system% and budgetary ;uestions4 54 "ecisions on other ;uestions% including the determination of additional categories of ;uestions to be decided by a t.o-thirds ma?ority% shall be made by a ma?ority of the members present and )oting4

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Article 1, Member of the United Nations .hich is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organi,ation shall ha)e no )ote in the General ssembly if the amount of its arrears e;uals or e<ceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding t.o full years4 The General ssembly may% ne)ertheless% permit such a Member to )ote if it is satisfied that the failure to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member4 P%o"e#!%e Article %The General ssembly shall meet in regular annual sessions and in such special sessions as occasion may re;uire4 !pecial sessions shall be con)o>ed by the !ecretary-General at the re;uest of the !ecurity Council or of a ma?ority of the Members of the United Nations4 Article %1 The General ssembly shall adopt its o.n rules of procedure4 It shall elect its President for each session4 Article %% The General ssembly may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions4

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CHAPTE! # THE SECURITY COUNCIL Compos t on Article %& +4 The !ecurity Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations4 The $epublic of China% 3rance% the Union of !o)iet !ocialist $epublics% the United Bingdom of Great &ritain and Northern Ireland% and the United !tates of merica shall be permanent members of the !ecurity Council4 The General ssembly shall elect ten other Members of the United Nations to be non-permanent members of the !ecurity Council% due regard being specially paid% in the first instance to the contribution of Members of the United Nations to the maintenance of international peace and security and to the other purposes of the Organi,ation% and also to e;uitable geographical distribution4 -4 The non-permanent members of the !ecurity Council shall be elected for a term of t.o years4 In the first election of the non-permanent members after the increase of the membership of the !ecurity Council from ele)en to fifteen% t.o of the four additional members shall be chosen for a term of one year4 retiring member shall not be eligible for immediate re-election4 54 (ach member of the !ecurity Council shall ha)e one representati)e4

F!n"t ons an# Po$e%s Article %' +4 In order to ensure prompt and effecti)e action by the United Nations% its Members confer on the !ecurity Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security% and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the !ecurity Council acts on their behalf4 -4 In discharging these duties the !ecurity Council shall act in accordance .ith the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations4 The specific [Link] granted to the !ecurity Council for the discharge of these duties are laid do.n in Chapters VI% VII% VIII% and 'II4 54 The !ecurity Council shall submit annual and% .hen necessary% special reports to the General ssembly for its consideration4

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Article %( The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the !ecurity Council in accordance .ith the present Charter4 Article %) In order to promote the establishment and maintenance of international peace and security .ith the least di)ersion for armaments of the .orldCs human and economic resources% the !ecurity Council shall be responsible for formulating% .ith the assistance of the Military !taff Committee referred to in rticle 16% plans to be submitted to the Members of the United Nations for the establishment of a system for the regulation of armaments4 &ot n' Article %* +4 (ach member of the !ecurity Council shall ha)e one )ote4

-4 "ecisions of the !ecurity Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmati)e )ote of nine members4 54 "ecisions of the !ecurity Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmati)e )ote of nine members including the concurring )otes of the permanent membersA pro)ided that% in decisions under Chapter VI% and under paragraph 5 of rticle 2-% a party to a dispute shall abstain from )oting4 P%o"e#!%e Article %+ +4 The !ecurity Council shall be so organi,ed as to be able to function continuously4 (ach member of the !ecurity Council shall for this purpose be represented at all times at the seat of the Organi,ation4 -4 The !ecurity Council shall hold periodic meetings at .hich each of its members may% if it so desires% be represented by a member of the go)ernment or by some other specially designated representati)e4 54 The !ecurity Council may hold meetings at such places other than the seat of the Organi,ation as in its ?udgment .ill best facilitate its .or>4

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Article %, The !ecurity Council may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions4 Article &The !ecurity Council shall adopt its o.n rules of procedure% including the method of selecting its President4 Article &1 ny Member of the United Nations .hich is not a member of the !ecurity Council may participate% .ithout )ote% in the discussion of any ;uestion brought before the !ecurity Council .hene)er the latter considers that the interests of that Member are specially affected4 Article &% ny Member of the United Nations .hich is not a member of the !ecurity Council or any state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations% if it is a party to a dispute under consideration by the !ecurity Council% shall be in)ited to participate% .ithout )ote% in the discussion relating to the dispute4 The !ecurity Council shall lay do.n such conditions as it deems ?ust for the participation of a state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations4

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CHAPTE! #I PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES Article && +4 The parties to any dispute% the continuance of .hich is li>ely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security% shall% first of all% see> a solution by negotiation% en;uiry% mediation% conciliation% arbitration% ?udicial settlement% resort to regional agencies or arrangements% or other peaceful means of their o.n choice4 -4 The !ecurity Council shall% .hen it deems necessary% call upon the parties to settle their dispute by such means4 Article &' The !ecurity Council may in)estigate any dispute% or any situation .hich might lead to international friction or gi)e rise to a dispute% in order to determine .hether the continuance of the dispute or situation is li>ely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security4 Article &( +4 ny Member of the United Nations may bring any dispute% or any situation of the nature referred to in rticle 51% to the attention of the !ecurity Council or of the General ssembly4 -4 state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations may bring to the attention of the !ecurity Council or of the General ssembly any dispute to .hich it is a party if it accepts in ad)ance% for the purposes of the dispute% the obligations of pacific settlement pro)ided in the present Charter4 54 The proceedings of the General ssembly in respect of matters brought to its attention under this rticle .ill be sub?ect to the pro)isions of rticles ++ and +-4 Article &) +4 The !ecurity Council may% at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred to in rticle 55 or of a situation of li>e nature% recommend appropriate procedures or methods of ad?ustment4 -4 The !ecurity Council should ta>e into consideration any procedures for the settlement of the dispute .hich ha)e already been adopted by the parties4

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54 In ma>ing recommendations under this rticle the !ecurity Council should also ta>e into consideration that legal disputes should as a general rule be referred by the parties to the International Court of *ustice in accordance .ith the pro)isions of the !tatute of the Court4 Article &* +4 !hould the parties to a dispute of the nature referred to in rticle 55 fail to settle it by the means indicated in that rticle% they shall refer it to the !ecurity Council4 -4 If the !ecurity Council deems that the continuance of the dispute is in fact li>ely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security% it shall decide .hether to ta>e action under rticle 5/ or to recommend such terms of settlement as it may consider appropriate4 Article &+ #ithout pre?udice to the pro)isions of rticles 55 to 56% the !ecurity Council may% if all the parties to any dispute so re;uest% ma>e recommendations to the parties .ith a )ie. to a pacific settlement of the dispute4

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CHAPTE! #II ACTION (ITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO THE PEACE) BREACHES OF THE PEACE) AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION Article &, The !ecurity Council shall determine the e<istence of any threat to the peace% breach of the peace% or act of aggression and shall ma>e recommendations% or decide .hat measures shall be ta>en in accordance .ith rticles 1+ and 1-% to maintain or restore international peace and security4 Article 'In order to pre)ent an aggra)ation of the situation% the !ecurity Council may% before ma>ing the recommendations or deciding upon the measures pro)ided for in rticle 50% call upon the parties concerned to comply .ith such pro)isional measures as it deems necessary or desirable4 !uch pro)isional measures shall be .ithout pre?udice to the rights% claims% or position of the parties concerned4 The !ecurity Council shall duly ta>e account of failure to comply .ith such pro)isional measures4 Article '1 The !ecurity Council may decide .hat measures not in)ol)ing the use of armed force are to be employed to gi)e effect to its decisions% and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures4 These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail% sea% air% postal% telegraphic% radio% and other means of communication% and the se)erance of diplomatic relations4 Article '% !hould the !ecurity Council consider that measures pro)ided for in rticle 1+ .ould be inade;uate or ha)e pro)ed to be inade;uate% it may ta>e such action by air% sea% or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security4 !uch action may include demonstrations% bloc>ade% and other operations by air% sea% or land forces of Members of the United Nations4 Article '& +4 ll Members of the United Nations% in order to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security% underta>e to ma>e a)ailable to the !ecurity Council% on its call and in accordance .ith a special agreement or agreements% armed forces% assistance% and facilities% including rights of passage% necessary for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security4

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-4 !uch agreement or agreements shall go)ern the numbers and types of forces% their degree of readiness and general location% and the nature of the facilities and assistance to be pro)ided4 54 The agreement or agreements shall be negotiated as soon as possible on the initiati)e of the !ecurity Council4 They shall be concluded [Link] the !ecurity Council and Members or [Link] the !ecurity Council and groups of Members and shall be sub?ect to ratification by the signatory states in accordance .ith their respecti)e constitutional processes4 Article '' #hen the !ecurity Council has decided to use force it shall% before calling upon a Member not represented on it to pro)ide armed forces in fulfilment of the obligations assumed under rticle 15% in)ite that Member% if the Member so desires% to participate in the decisions of the !ecurity Council concerning the employment of contingents of that MemberCs armed forces4 Article '( In order to enable the United Nations to ta>e urgent military measures% Members shall hold immediately a)ailable national air-force contingents for combined international enforcement action4 The strength and degree of readiness of these contingents and plans for their combined action shall be determined .ithin the limits laid do.n in the special agreement or agreements referred to in rticle 15% by the !ecurity Council .ith the assistance of the Military !taff Committee4 Article ') Plans for the application of armed force shall be made by the !ecurity Council .ith the assistance of the Military !taff Committee4 Article '* +4 There shall be established a Military !taff Committee to ad)ise and assist the !ecurity Council on all ;uestions relating to the !ecurity CouncilCs military re;uirements for the maintenance of international peace and security% the employment and command of forces placed at its disposal% the regulation of armaments% and possible disarmament4 -4 The Military !taff Committee shall consist of the Chiefs of !taff of the permanent members of the !ecurity Council or their representati)es4 ny Member of the United Nations not permanently represented on the Committee shall be in)ited by the Committee to be associated .ith it .hen the efficient discharge of the CommitteeCs responsibilities re;uires the participation of that Member in its .or>4

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54 The Military !taff Committee shall be responsible under the !ecurity Council for the strategic direction of any armed forces placed at the disposal of the !ecurity Council4 Duestions relating to the command of such forces shall be .or>ed out subse;uently4 14 The Military !taff Committee% .ith the authori,ation of the !ecurity Council and after consultation .ith appropriate regional agencies% may establish regional subcommittees4 Article '+ +4 The action re;uired to carry out the decisions of the !ecurity Council for the maintenance of international peace and security shall be ta>en by all the Members of the United Nations or by some of them% as the !ecurity Council may determine4 -4 !uch decisions shall be carried out by the Members of the United Nations directly and through their action in the appropriate international agencies of .hich they remembers4 Article ', The Members of the United Nations shall ?oin in affording mutual assistance in carrying out the measures decided upon by the !ecurity Council4 Article (If pre)enti)e or enforcement measures against any state are ta>en by the !ecurity Council% any other state% .hether a Member of the United Nations or not% .hich finds itself confronted .ith special economic problems arising from the carrying out of those measures shall ha)e the right to consult the !ecurity Council .ith regard to a solution of those problems4 Article (1 Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of indi)idual or collecti)e self-defence if an armed attac> occurs against a Member of the United Nations% until the !ecurity Council has ta>en measures necessary to maintain international peace and security4 Measures ta>en by Members in the e<ercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the !ecurity Council and shall not in any .ay affect the authority and responsibility of the !ecurity Council under the present Charter to ta>e at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security4

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CHAPTE! #III REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Article (% +4 Nothing in the present Charter precludes the e<istence of regional arrangements or agencies for dealing .ith such matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action pro)ided that such arrangements or agencies and their acti)ities are consistent .ith the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations4 -4 The Members of the United Nations entering into such arrangements or constituting such agencies shall ma>e e)ery effort to achie)e pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the !ecurity Council4 54 The !ecurity Council shall encourage the de)elopment of pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies either on the initiati)e of the states concerned or by reference from the !ecurity Council4 14 This rticle in no .ay impairs the application of rticles 51 and 524

Article (& +4 The !ecurity Council shall% .here appropriate% utili,e such regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority4 &ut no enforcement action shall be ta>en under regional arrangements or by regional agencies .ithout the authori,ation of the !ecurity Council% .ith the e<ception of measures against any enemy state% as defined in paragraph - of this rticle% pro)ided for pursuant to rticle +76 or in regional arrangements directed against [Link] of aggressi)e policy on the part of any such state% until such time as the Organi,ation may% on re;uest of the Go)ernments concerned% be charged .ith the responsibility for pre)enting further aggression by such a state4 -4 The term enemy state as used in paragraph + of this rticle applies to any state .hich during the !econd #orld #ar has been an enemy of any signatory of the present Charter4 Article (' The !ecurity Council shall at all times be >ept fully informed of acti)ities underta>en or in contemplation under regional arrangements or by regional agencies for the maintenance of international peace and security4

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CHAPTE! I. INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CO*OPERATION Article (( #ith a )ie. to the creation of conditions of stability and .ell-being .hich are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of e;ual rights and self-determination of peoples% the United Nations shall promote@ a4 higher standards of li)ing% full employment% and conditions of economic and social progress and de)elopmentA b4 solutions of international economic% social% health% and related problemsA and international cultural and educational cooperationA and c4 uni)ersal respect for% and obser)ance of% human rights and fundamental freedoms for all .ithout distinction as to race% se<% language% or religion4 Article () ll Members pledge themsel)es to ta>e ?oint and separate action in co-operation .ith the Organi,ation for the achie)ement of the purposes set forth in rticle 224 Article (* +4 The )arious speciali,ed agencies% established by intergo)ernmental agreement and ha)ing .ide international responsibilities% as defined in their basic instruments% in economic% social% cultural% educational% health% and related fields% shall be brought into relationship .ith the United Nations in accordance .ith the pro)isions of rticle /54 -4 !uch agencies thus brought into relationship .ith the United Nations are hereinafter referred to as speciali,ed agencies4 Article (+ The Organi,ation shall ma>e recommendations for the co-ordination of the policies and acti)ities of the speciali,ed agencies4 Article (, The Organi,ation shall% .here appropriate% initiate negotiations among the states concerned for the creation of any ne. speciali,ed agencies re;uired for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in rticle 224

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Article )$esponsibility for the discharge of the functions of the Organi,ation set forth in this Chapter shall be )ested in the General ssembly and% under the authority of the General ssembly% in the (conomic and !ocial Council% .hich shall ha)e for this purpose the [Link] set forth in Chapter '4

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CHAPTE! . THE ECONO"IC AN SOCIAL COUNCIL Compos t on Article )1 +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council shall consist of fifty-four Members of the United Nations elected by the General ssembly4 -4 !ub?ect to the pro)isions of paragraph 5% eighteen members of the (conomic and !ocial Council shall be elected each year for a term of three years4 retiring member shall be eligible for immediate re-election4 54 t the first election after the increase in the membership of the (conomic and !ocial Council from [Link]-se)en to fifty-four members% in addition to the members elected in place of the nine members .hose term of office e<pires at the end of that year% [Link]-se)en additional members shall be elected4 Of these [Link]-se)en additional members% the term of office of nine members so elected shall e<pire at the end of one year% and of nine other members at the end of t.o years% in accordance .ith arrangements made by the General ssembly4 14 (ach member of the (conomic and !ocial Council shall ha)e one representati)e4 3unctions and [Link] Article )% +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council may ma>e or initiate studies and reports .ith respect to international economic% social% cultural% educational% health% and related matters and may ma>e recommendations .ith respect to any such matters to the General ssembly to the Members of the United Nations% and to the speciali,ed agencies concerned4 -4 It may ma>e recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for% and obser)ance of% human rights and fundamental freedoms for all4 54 It may prepare draft con)entions for submission to the General ssembly% .ith respect to matters falling .ithin its competence4 14 It may call% in accordance .ith the rules prescribed by the United Nations% international conferences on matters falling .ithin its competence4

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Article )& +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council may enter into agreements .ith any of the agencies referred to in rticle 26% defining the terms on .hich the agency concerned shall be brought into relationship .ith the United Nations4 !uch agreements shall be sub?ect to appro)al by the General ssembly4 -4 It may co-ordinate the acti)ities of the speciali,ed agencies through consultation .ith and recommendations to such agencies and through recommendations to the General ssembly and to the Members of the United Nations4 Article )' +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council may ta>e appropriate steps to obtain regular reports from the speciali,ed agencies4 It may ma>e arrangements .ith the Members of the United Nations and .ith the speciali,ed agencies to obtain reports on the steps ta>en to gi)e effect to its o.n recommendations and to recommendations on matters falling .ithin its competence made by the General ssembly4 -4 It may communicate its obser)ations on these reports to the General ssembly4

Article )( The (conomic and !ocial Council may furnish information to the !ecurity Council and shall assist the !ecurity Council upon its re;uest4 Article )) +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council shall perform such functions as fall .ithin its competence in conne<ion .ith the carrying out of the recommendations of the General ssembly4 -4 It may% .ith the appro)al of the General ssembly% perform ser)ices at the re;uest of Members of the United Nations and at the re;uest of speciali,ed agencies4 54 It shall perform such other functions as are specified [Link] in the present Charter or as may be assigned to it by the General ssembly4 &ot n' Article )* +4 (ach member of the (conomic and !ocial Council shall ha)e one )ote4

-4 "ecisions of the (conomic and !ocial Council shall be made by a ma?ority of the members present and )oting4

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P%o"e#!%e Article )+ The (conomic and !ocial Council shall set up commissions in economic and social fields and for the promotion of human rights% and such other commissions as may be re;uired for the performance of its functions4 Article ), The (conomic and !ocial Council shall in)ite any Member of the United Nations to participate% .ithout )ote% in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that Member4 Article *The (conomic and !ocial Council may ma>e arrangements for representati)es of the speciali,ed agencies to participate% .ithout )ote% in its deliberations and in those of the commissions established by it% and for its representati)es to participate in the deliberations of the speciali,ed agencies4 Article *1 The (conomic and !ocial Council may ma>e suitable arrangements for consultation .ith non-go)ernmental organi,ations .hich are concerned .ith matters .ithin its competence4 !uch arrangements may be made .ith international organi,ations and% .here appropriate% .ith national organi,ations after consultation .ith the Member of the United Nations concerned4 Article *% +4 The (conomic and !ocial Council shall adopt its o.n rules of procedure% including the method of selecting its President4 -4 The (conomic and !ocial Council shall meet as re;uired in accordance .ith its rules% .hich shall include pro)ision for the con)ening of meetings on the re;uest of a ma?ority of its members4

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CHAPTE! .I DECLARATION REGARDING NON*SELF*GO&ERNING TERRITORIES Article *& Members of the United Nations .hich ha)e or assume responsibilities for the administration of territories .hose peoples ha)e not yet attained a full measure of selfgo)ernment recogni,e the principle that the interests of the inhabitants of these territories are paramount% and accept as a sacred trust the obligation to promote to the utmost% .ithin the system of international peace and security established by the present Charter% the .ell-being of the inhabitants of these territories% and% to this end@ a4 to ensure% .ith due respect for the culture of the peoples concerned% their political% economic% social% and educational ad)ancement% their ?ust treatment% and their protection against abusesA b4 to de)elop self-go)ernment% to ta>e due account of the political aspirations of the peoples% and to assist them in the progressi)e de)elopment of their free political institutions% according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their )arying stages of ad)ancementA c4 to further international peace and securityA

d4 to promote constructi)e measures of de)elopment% to encourage research% and to co-operate .ith one another and% .hen and .here appropriate% .ith speciali,ed international bodies .ith a )ie. to the practical achie)ement of the social% economic% and scientific purposes set forth in this rticleA and e4 to transmit regularly to the !ecretary-General for information purposes% sub?ect to such limitation as security and constitutional considerations may re;uire% statistical and other information of a technical nature relating to economic% social% and educational conditions in the territories for .hich they are respecti)ely responsible other than those territories to .hich Chapters 'II and 'III apply4 Article *' Members of the United Nations also agree that their policy in respect of the territories to .hich this Chapter applies% no less than in respect of their metropolitan areas% must be based on the general principle of good-neighbourliness% due account being ta>en of the interests and .ell-being of the rest of the .orld% in social% economic% and commercial matters4

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CHAPTE! .II INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEESHIP SYSTEM Article *( The United Nations shall establish under its authority an international trusteeship system for the administration and super)ision of such territories as may be placed thereunder by subse;uent indi)idual agreements4 These territories are hereinafter referred to as trust territories4 Article *) The basic ob?ecti)es of the trusteeship system% in accordance .ith the Purposes of the United Nations laid do.n in rticle + of the present Charter% shall be@ a4 to further international peace and securityA

b4 to promote the political% economic% social% and educational ad)ancement of the inhabitants of the trust territories% and their progressi)e de)elopment [Link] self-go)ernment or independence as may be appropriate to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and the freely e<pressed .ishes of the peoples concerned% and as may be pro)ided by the terms of each trusteeship agreementA c4 to encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all .ithout distinction as to race% se<% language% or religion% and to encourage recognition of the interdependence of the peoples of the .orldA and d4 to ensure e;ual treatment in social% economic% and commercial matters for all Members of the United Nations and their nationals% and also e;ual treatment for the latter in the administration of ?ustice% .ithout pre?udice to the attainment of the foregoing ob?ecti)es and sub?ect to the pro)isions of rticle 874 Article ** +4 The trusteeship system shall apply to such territories in the [Link] categories as may be placed thereunder by means of trusteeship agreements@ a4 territories no. held under mandateA

b4 territories .hich may be detached from enemy states as a result of the !econd #orld #arA and

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c4 territories )oluntarily placed under the system by states responsible for their administration4 -4 It .ill be a matter for subse;uent agreement as to .hich territories in the foregoing categories .ill be brought under the trusteeship system and upon .hat terms4 Article *+ The trusteeship system shall not apply to territories .hich ha)e become Members of the United Nations% relationship among .hich shall be based on respect for the principle of so)ereign e;uality4 Article *, The terms of trusteeship for each territory to be placed under the trusteeship system% including any alteration or amendment% shall be agreed upon by the states directly concerned% including the mandatory [Link] in the case of territories held under mandate by a Member of the United Nations% and shall be appro)ed as pro)ided for in rticles 85 and 824 Article ++4 (<cept as may be agreed upon in indi)idual trusteeship agreements% made under rticles 66% 60% and 8+% placing each territory under the trusteeship system% and until such agreements ha)e been concluded% nothing in this Chapter shall be construed in or of itself to alter in any manner the rights .hatsoe)er of any states or any peoples or the terms of e<isting international instruments to .hich Members of the United Nations may respecti)ely be parties4 -4 Paragraph + of this rticle shall not be interpreted as gi)ing grounds for delay or postponement of the negotiation and conclusion of agreements for placing mandated and other territories under the trusteeship system as pro)ided for in rticle 664 Article +1 The trusteeship agreement shall in each case include the terms under .hich the trust territory .ill be administered and designate the authority .hich .ill e<ercise the administration of the trust territory4 !uch authority% hereinafter called the administering authority% may be one or more states or the Organi,ation itself4 Article +% There may be designated% in any trusteeship agreement% a strategic area or areas .hich may include part or all of the trust territory to .hich the agreement applies% .ithout pre?udice to any special agreement or agreements made under rticle 154

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Article +& +4 ll functions of the United Nations relating to strategic areas% including the appro)al of the terms of the trusteeship agreements and of their alteration or amendment shall be e<ercised by the !ecurity Council4 -4 The basic ob?ecti)es set forth in rticle 6/ shall be applicable to the people of each strategic area4 54 The !ecurity Council shall% sub?ect to the pro)isions of the trusteeship agreements and .ithout pre?udice to security considerations% a)ail itself of the assistance of the Trusteeship Council to perform those functions of the United Nations under the trusteeship system relating to political% economic% social% and educational matters in the strategic areas4 Article +' It shall be the duty of the administering authority to ensure that the trust territory shall play its part in the maintenance of international peace and security4 To this end the administering authority may ma>e use of )olunteer forces% facilities% and assistance from the trust territory in carrying out the obligations [Link] the !ecurity Council underta>en in this regard by the administering authority% as .ell as for local defence and the maintenance of la. and order .ithin the trust territory4 Article +( +4 The functions of the United Nations .ith regard to trusteeship agreements for all areas not designated as strategic% including the appro)al of the terms of the trusteeship agreements and of their alteration or amendment% shall be e<ercised by the General ssembly4 -4 The Trusteeship Council% operating under the authority of the General ssembly shall assist the General ssembly in carrying out these functions4

57

CHAPTE! .III THE TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL Compos t on Article +) +4 The Trusteeship Council shall consist of the [Link] Members of the United Nations@ a4 those Members administering trust territoriesA

b4 such of those Members mentioned by name in rticle -5 as are not administering trust territoriesA and c4 as many other Members elected for three-year terms by the General ssembly as may be necessary to ensure that the total number of members of the Trusteeship Council is e;ually di)ided [Link] those Members of the United Nations .hich administer trust territories and those .hich do not4 -4 (ach member of the Trusteeship Council shall designate one specially ;ualified person to represent it therein4 F!n"t ons an# Po$e%s Article +* The General ssembly and% under its authority% the Trusteeship Council% in carrying out their functions% may@ a4 b4 authorityA consider reports submitted by the administering authorityA accept petitions and e<amine them in consultation .ith the administering

c4 pro)ide for periodic )isits to the respecti)e trust territories at times agreed upon .ith the administering authorityA and d4 agreements4 ta>e these and other actions in conformity .ith the terms of the trusteeship

5+

Article ++ The Trusteeship Council shall formulate a ;uestionnaire on the political% economic% social% and educational ad)ancement of the inhabitants of each trust territory% and the administering authority for each trust territory .ithin the competence of the General ssembly shall ma>e an annual report to the General ssembly upon the basis of such ;uestionnaire4 &ot n' Article +, +4 (ach member of the Trusteeship Council shall ha)e one )ote4

-4 "ecisions of the Trusteeship Council shall be made by a ma?ority of the members present and )oting4 P%o"e#!%e Article ,+4 The Trusteeship Council shall adopt its o.n rules of procedure% including the method of selecting its President4 -4 The Trusteeship Council shall meet as re;uired in accordance .ith its rules% .hich shall include pro)ision for the con)ening of meetings on the re;uest of a ma?ority of its members4 Article ,1 The Trusteeship Council shall% .hen appropriate% a)ail itself of the assistance of the (conomic and !ocial Council and of the speciali,ed agencies in regard to matters .ith .hich they are respecti)ely concerned4

5-

CHAPTE! .I# THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF +USTICE Article ,% The International Court of *ustice shall be the principal ?udicial organ of the United Nations4 It shall function in accordance .ith the anne<ed !tatute% .hich is based upon the !tatute of the Permanent Court of International *ustice and forms an integral part of the present Charter4 Article ,& +4 ll Members of the United Nations are ipso facto parties to the !tatute of the International Court of *ustice4 -4 state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations may become a party to the !tatute of the International Court of *ustice on conditions to be determined in each case by the General ssembly upon the recommendation of the !ecurity Council4 Article ,' +4 (ach Member of the United Nations underta>es to comply .ith the decision of the International Court of *ustice in any case to .hich it is a party4 -4 If any party to a case fails to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a ?udgment rendered by the Court% the other party may ha)e recourse to the !ecurity Council% .hich may% if it deems necessary% ma>e recommendations or decide upon measures to be ta>en to gi)e effect to the ?udgment4 Article ,( Nothing in the present Charter shall pre)ent Members of the United Nations from entrusting the solution of their differences to other tribunals by )irtue of agreements already in e<istence or .hich may be concluded in the future4 Article ,) +4 The General ssembly or the !ecurity Council may re;uest the International Court of *ustice to gi)e an ad)isory opinion on any legal ;uestion4 -4 Other organs of the United Nations and speciali,ed agencies% .hich may at any time be so authori,ed by the General ssembly% may also re;uest ad)isory opinions of the Court on legal ;uestions arising .ithin the scope of their acti)ities4

55

CHAPTE! .# THE SECRETARIAT Article ,* The !ecretariat shall comprise a !ecretary-General and such staff as the Organi,ation may re;uire4 The !ecretary-General shall be appointed by the General ssembly upon the recommendation of the !ecurity Council4 Ee shall be the chief administrati)e officer of the Organi,ation4 Article ,+ The !ecretary-General shall act in that capacity in all meetings of the General ssembly% of the !ecurity Council% of the (conomic and !ocial Council% and of the Trusteeship Council% and shall perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by these organs4 The !ecretary-General shall ma>e an annual report to the General ssembly on the .or> of the Organi,ation4 Article ,, The !ecretary-General may bring to the attention of the !ecurity Council any matter .hich in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security4 Article 1-+4 In the performance of their duties the !ecretary-General and the staff shall not see> or recei)e instructions from any go)ernment or from any other authority e<ternal to the Organi,ation4 They shall refrain from any action .hich might reflect on their position as international officials responsible only to the Organi,ation4 -4 (ach Member of the United Nations underta>es to respect the e<clusi)ely international character of the responsibilities of the !ecretary-General and the staff and not to see> to influence them in the discharge of their responsibilities4 Article 1-1 +4 The staff shall be appointed by the !ecretary-General under regulations established by the General ssembly4 -4 ppropriate staffs shall be permanently assigned to the (conomic and !ocial Council% the Trusteeship Council% and% as re;uired% to other organs of the United Nations4 These staffs shall form a part of the !ecretariat4

51

54 The paramount consideration in the employment of the staff and in the determination of the conditions of ser)ice shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency% competence% and integrity4 "ue regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as .ide a geographical basis as possible4

52

CHAPTE! .#I MISCELLANEOUS PRO&ISIONS Article 1-% +4 ()ery treaty and e)ery international agreement entered into by any Member of the United Nations after the present Charter comes into force shall as soon as possible be registered .ith the !ecretariat and published by it4 -4 No party to any such treaty or international agreement .hich has not been registered in accordance .ith the pro)isions of paragraph + of this rticle may in)o>e that treaty or agreement before any organ of the United Nations4 Article 1-& In the e)ent of a conflict [Link] the obligations of the Members of the United Nations under the present Charter and their obligations under any other international agreement% their obligations under the present Charter shall pre)ail4 Article 1-' The Organi,ation shall en?oy in the territory of each of its Members such legal capacity as may be necessary for the e<ercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its purposes4 Article 1-( +4 The Organi,ation shall en?oy in the territory of each of its Members such pri)ileges and immunities as are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes4 -4 $epresentati)es of the Members of the United Nations and officials of the Organi,ation shall similarly en?oy such pri)ileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent e<ercise of their functions in conne<ion .ith the Organi,ation4 54 The General ssembly may ma>e recommendations .ith a )ie. to determining the details of the application of paragraphs + and - of this rticle or may propose con)entions to the Members of the United Nations for this purpose4

5/

CHAPTE! .#II TRANSITIONAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS Article 1-) Pending the coming into force of such special agreements referred to in rticle 15 as in the opinion of the !ecurity Council enable it to begin the e<ercise of its responsibilities under rticle 1-% the parties to the 3our-Nation "eclaration% signed at Mosco.% 57 October +015% and 3rance% shall% in accordance .ith the pro)isions of paragraph 2 of that "eclaration% consult .ith one another and as occasion re;uires .ith other Members of the United Nations .ith a )ie. to such ?oint action on behalf of the Organi,ation as may be necessary for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security4 Article 1-* Nothing in the present Charter shall in)alidate or preclude action% in relation to any state .hich during the !econd #orld #ar has been an enemy of any signatory to the present Charter% ta>en or authori,ed as a result of that .ar by the Go)ernments ha)ing responsibility for such action4

56

CHAPTE! .#III AMENDMENTS Article 1-+ mendments to the present Charter shall come into force for all Members of the United Nations .hen they ha)e been adopted by a )ote of t.o thirds of the members of the General ssembly and ratified in accordance .ith their respecti)e constitutional processes by t.o thirds of the Members of the United Nations% including all the permanent members of the !ecurity Council4 Article 1-, +4 General Conference of the Members of the United Nations for the purpose of re)[Link] the present Charter may be held at a date and place to be fi<ed by a t.o-thirds )ote of the members of the General ssembly and by a )ote of any nine members of the !ecurity Council4 (ach Member of the United Nations shall ha)e one )ote in the conference4 -4 ny alteration of the present Charter recommended by a t.o-thirds )ote of the conference shall ta>e effect .hen ratified in accordance .ith their respecti)e constitutional processes by t.o thirds of the Members of the United Nations including all the permanent members of the !ecurity Council4 54 If such a conference has not been held before the tenth annual session of the General ssembly [Link] the coming into force of the present Charter% the proposal to call such a conference shall be placed on the agenda of that session of the General ssembly% and the conference shall be held if so decided by a ma?ority )ote of the members of the General ssembly and by a )ote of any se)en members of the !ecurity Council4

58

CHAPTE! .I. RATIFICATION AND SIGNATURE Article 11+4 The present Charter shall be ratified by the signatory states in accordance .ith their respecti)e constitutional processes4 -4 The ratifications shall be deposited .ith the Go)ernment of the United !tates of merica% .hich shall notify all the signatory states of each deposit as .ell as the !ecretary-General of the Organi,ation .hen he has been appointed4 54 The present Charter shall come into force upon the deposit of ratifications by the $epublic of China% 3rance% the Union of !o)iet !ocialist $epublics% the United Bingdom of Great &ritain and Northern Ireland4 and the United !tates of merica% and by a ma?ority of the other signatory states4 protocol of the ratifications deposited shall thereupon be dra.n up by the Go)ernment of the United !tates of merica .hich shall communicate copies thereof to all the signatory states4 14 The states signatory to the present Charter .hich ratify it after it has come into force .ill become original Members of the United Nations on the date of the deposit of their respecti)e ratifications4 Article 111 The present Charter% of .hich the Chinese% 3rench% $ussian% (nglish% and !panish te<ts are e;ually authentic% shall remain deposited in the archi)es of the Go)ernment of the United !tates of merica4 "uly certified copies thereof shall be transmitted by that Go)ernment to the Go)ernments of the other signatory states4 IN 3 ITE #E($(O3 the representati)es of the Go)ernments of the United Nations ha)e signed the present Charter4 "ON( at the city of !an 3rancisco the [Link]-si<th day of *une% one thousand nine hundred and forty-fi)e4

50

STATUTE OF THE INTE!NATIONAL COU!T OF JUSTICE Article 1 The International Court of *ustice established by the Charter of the United Nations as the principal ?udicial organ of the United Nations shall be constituted and shall function in accordance .ith the pro)isions of the present !tatute4 CHAPTE! I ORGANI,ATION OF THE COURT Article % The Court shall be composed of a body of independent ?udges% elected regardless of their nationality from among persons of high more character% .ho possess the ;ualifications re;uired in their respecti)e countries for appointment to the highest ?udicial offices% or are ?urisconsults of recogni,ed competence in international la.4 Article & +4 The Court shall consist of fifteen members% no t.o of .hom may be nationals of the same state4 -4 person .ho for the purposes of membership in the Court could be regarded as a national of more than one state shall be deemed to be a national of the one in .hich he ordinarily e<ercises ci)il and political rights4 Article ' +4 The members of the Court shall be elected by the General ssembly and by the !ecurity Council from a list of persons nominated by the national groups in the Permanent Court of rbitration% in accordance .ith the [Link] pro)isions4 -4 In the case of Members of the United Nations% not represented in the Permanent Court of rbitration% candidates shall be nominated by national groups appointed for this purpose by their go)ernments under the same conditions as those prescribed for members of the Permanent Court of rbitration by rticle 11 of the Con)ention of The Eague of +076 for the pacific settlement of international disputes4 54 The conditions under .hich a state .hich is a party to the present !tatute but is not a Member of the United Nations may participate in electing the members of the Court shall% in the absence of a special agreement% be laid do.n by the General ssembly upon recommendation of the !ecurity Council4

17

Article ( +4 t least three months before the date of the election% the !ecretary-General of the United Nations shall address a .ritten re;uest to the members of the Permanent Court of rbitration belonging to the states .hich are parties to the present !tatute% and to the members of the national groups appointed under rticle 1% paragraph -% in)iting them to underta>e% .ithin a gi)en time% by national groups% the nomination of persons in a position to accept the duties of a member of the Court4 -4 No group may nominate more than four persons% not more than t.o of .hom shall be of their o.n nationality4 In no case may the number of candidates nominated by a group be more than double the number of seats to be filled4 Article ) &efore ma>ing these nominations% each national group is recommended to consult its highest court of ?ustice% its legal faculties and schools of la.% and its national academies and national sections of international academies de)oted to the study of la.4 Article * +4 The !ecretary-General shall prepare a list in alphabetical order of all the persons thus nominated4 !a)e as pro)ided in rticle +-% paragraph -% these shall be the only persons eligible4 -4 The !ecretary-General shall submit this list to the General ssembly and to the !ecurity Council4 Article + The General ssembly and the !ecurity Council shall proceed independently of one another to elect the members of the Court4 Article , t e)ery election% the electors shall bear in mind not only that the persons to be elected should indi)idually possess the ;ualifications re;uired% but also that in the body as a .hole the representation of the main forms of ci)ili,ation and of the principal legal systems of the .orld should be assured4 Article 1+4 Those candidates .ho obtain an absolute ma?ority of )otes in the General ssembly and in the !ecurity Council shall be considered as elected4

1+

-4 ny )ote of the !ecurity Council .hether for the election of ?udges or for the appointment of members of the conference en)isaged in rticle +-% shall be ta>en .ithout any distinction [Link] permanent and non4 permanent members of the !ecurity Council% 54 In the e)ent of more than one national of the same state obtaining4 an absolute ma?ority of the )otes both of the General ssembly and of the !ecurity Council% the eldest of these only shall be considered as elected% Article 11 If% after the first meeting held for the purpose of the election% one or more seats re4 main to be filled% a second and% if necessary% a third meeting shall ta>e place4 Article 1% +4 If% after the third meeting% one or more seats still remain unfilled% a ?oint conference consisting of si< members% three appointed by the General ssembly and three by the !ecurity Council% may be formed at any time at the re;uest of either the General ssembly or the !ecurity Council% for the purpose of choosing by the )ote of an absolute ma?ority one name for each seat still )acant% to submit to the General ssembly and the !ecurity Council for their respecti)e acceptance4 -4 If the ?oint conference is unanimously agreed upon any person .ho fulfils the re;uired conditions% he may be included in its list% e)en though he .as not included in the list of nominations referred to in rticle 64 54 If the ?oint conference is satisfied that it .ill not be successful in procuring an election% those members of the Court .ho ha)e already been elected shall% .ithin a period to be fi<ed by the !ecurity Council% proceed to fill the )acant seats by selection from among those candidates .ho ha)e obtained )otes either in the General ssembly or in the !ecurity Council4 14 In the e)ent of an e;uality of )otes among the ?udges% the eldest ?udge shall ha)e a casting )ote4 Article 1& +4 The members of the Court shall be elected for nine years and may be re-electedA pro)ided% ho.e)er% that of the ?udges elected at the first election% the terms of fi)e ?udges shall e<pire at the end of three years and the terms of fi)e more ?udges shall e<pire at the end of si< years4

1-

-4 The ?udges .hose terms are to e<pire at the end of the abo)e-mentioned initial periods of three and si< years shall be chosen by lot to be dra.n by the !ecretaryGeneralA immediately after the first election has bee completed4 54 The members of the Court shall continue to discharge their duties until their places ha)e been filled4 Though replaced% the% shall finish any cases .hich they may hay begun4 14 In the case of the resignation of a member of the Court% the resignation shall be addressed to the President of the Court for transmission to the !ecretary-General4 This last notification ma>es the place )acant4 Article 1' Vacancies shall be filled by the same method as that laid do.n for the first election% sub?ect to the [Link] pro)ision@ the !ecretary-General shall% .ithin one month of the occurrence of the )acancy% proceed to issue the in)itations pro)ided for in rticle 2% and the date of the election shall be fi<ed by the !ecurity Council4 Article 1( member of the Court elected to replace a member .hose term of office has not e<pired shall hold office for the remainder of his predecessorCs term4 Article 1) +4 No member of the Court may e<ercise any political or administrati)e function% or engage in any other occupation of a professional nature4 -4 ny doubt on this point shall be settled by the decision of the Court4

Article 1* +4 No member of the Court may act as agent% + counsel% or ad)ocate in any case4

-4 No member may participate in the decision of any case in .hich he has pre)iously ta>en part as agent% counsel% or ad)ocate for one of the parties% or as a member of a national or international court% or of a commission of en;uiry% or in any other capacity4 54 ny doubt on this point shall be settled by the decision of the Court4

Article 1+ +4 No member of the Court can be dismissed unless% in the unanimous opinion of the other members% he has ceased to fulfil the re;uired conditions4

15

-4 3ormal notification thereof shall be made to the !ecretary-General by the $egistrar4 54 This notification ma>es the place )acant4

Article 1, The members of the Court% .hen engaged on the business of the Court% shall en?oy diplomatic pri)ileges and immunities4 Article %()ery member of the Court shall% before ta>ing up his duties% ma>e a solemn declaration in open court that he .ill e<ercise his [Link] impartially and conscientiously4 Article %1 +4 The Court shall elect its President and Vice-President for three yearsA they may be re-elected4 -4 The Court shall appoint its $egistrar and may pro)ide for the appointment of such other officers as may be necessary4 Article %% +4 The seat of the Court shall be established at The Eague4 This% ho.e)er% shall not pre)ent the Court from sitting and e<ercising its functions [Link] .hene)er the Court considers it desirable4 -4 The President and the $egistrar shall reside at the scat of the Court4

Article %& +4 The Court shall remain permanently in session% e<cept during the ?udicial )acations% the dates and duration of .hich shall be fi<ed by the Court4 -4 Members of the Court are entitled to periodic lea)e% the dates and duration of .hich shall be fi<ed by the Court% ha)ing in mind the distance [Link] The Eague and the home of each ?udge4 54 Members of the Court shall be bound% unless they are on lea)e or pre)ented from attending by illness or other serious reasons duly e<plained to the President% to hold themsel)es permanently at the disposal of the Court4

11

Article %' +4 If% for some special reason% a member of the Court considers that he should not ta>e part in the decision of a particular case% he shall so inform the President4 -4 If the President considers that for some special reason one of the members of the Court should not sit in a particular case% he shall gi)e him notice accordingly4 54 If in any such case the member of the Court and the President disagree% the matter shall be settled by the decision of the Court4 Article %( +4 The full Court shall sit e<cept .hen it is e<pressly pro)ided [Link] in the present !tatute4 -4 !ub?ect to the condition that the number of ?udges a)ailable to constitute the Court is not thereby reduced belo. ele)en% the $ules of the Court may pro)ide for [Link] one or more ?udges% according to circumstances and in rotation% to be dispensed from sitting4 54 ;uorum of nine ?udges shall suffice to constitute the Court4

Article %) +4 The Court may from time to time form one or more chambers% composed of three or more ?udges as the Court may determine% for dealing .ith particular categories of casesA for e<ample% labour cases and cases relating to transit and communications4 -4 The Court may at any time form a chamber for dealing .ith a particular case4 The number of ?udges to constitute such chamber shall be determined by the Court .ith the appro)al of the parties4 54 Cases shall be heard and determined by the chambers pro)ided for in this article if the parties so re;uest4 Article %* ?udgment gi)en by any of the chambers pro)ided for in rticles -/ and -0 shall be considered as rendered by the Court4 Article %+ The chambers pro)ided4 for in rticles -/ and -0 may% .ith the consent of the parties% sit and e<ercise their functions [Link] than at The Eague4

12

Article %, #ith a )ie. to the speedy dispatch of business% the Court shall form annually a chamber composed of fi)e ?udges .hich% at the re;uest of the parties% may hear and determine cases by summary procedure4 In addition% t.o ?udges shall be selected for the purpose of replacing ?udges .ho find it impossible to sit4 Article &+4 The Court shall frame rules for carrying out its functions4 In particular% it shall lay do.n rules of procedure4 -4 The $ules of the Court may pro)ide for assessors to sit .ith the Court or .ith any of its chambers% .ithout the right to )ote4 Article &1 +4 *udges of the nationality of each of the parties shall retain their right to sit in the case before the Court4 -4 If the Court includes upon the &ench a ?udge of the nationality of one of the parties% any other party may choose a person to sit as ?udge4 !uch person shall be chosen preferably from among those persons .ho ha)e been nominated as candidates as pro)ided in rticles 1 and 24 54 If the Court includes upon the &ench no ?udge of the nationality of the parties% each of these parties may proceed to choose a ?udge as pro)ided in paragraph - of this rticle4 14 The pro)isions of this rticle shall apply to the case of rticles -/ and -04 In such cases% the President shall re;uest one or% if necessary% t.o of the members of the Court forming the chamber to gi)e place to the members of the Court of the nationality of the parties concerned% and% failing such% or if they are unable to be present% to the ?udges specially chosen by the parties4 24 !hould there be se)eral parties in the same interest% they shall% for the purpose of the preceding pro)isions% be rec>oned as one party only4 ny doubt upon this point shall be settled by the decision of the Court4 /4 *udges chosen as laid do.n in paragraphs -% 5% and 1 of this rticle shall fulfil the conditions re;uired by rticles -% +6 9paragraph -:% -7% and -1 of the present !tatute4 They shall ta>e part in the decision on terms of complete e;uality .ith their colleagues4 Article &% +4 (ach member of the Court shall recei)e an annual salary4

1/

-4

The President shall recei)e a special annual allo.ance4

54 The Vice-President shall recei)e a special [Link] for e)ery day on .hich he acts as President4 14 The ?udges chosen under rticle 5+% other than members of the Court% shall recei)e compensation for each day on .hich they e<ercise their functions4 24 These salaries% [Link]% and compensation shall be fi<ed by the General ssembly4 They may not be decreased during the term of office4 /4 The salary of the $egistrar shall fi<ed by the General ssembly on the proposal of the Court4 64 $egulations made by the General ssembly shall fi< the conditions under .hich retirement pensions may be gi)en to members of the Court and to the $egistrar% an% the conditions under .hich members of the Court and the $egistrar shall ha)e the% tra)elling e<penses refunded4 84 The abo)e salaries% [Link]% an% compensation shall be free of all ta<ation

Article && The e<penses of the Court shall be borne by the United Nations in such a manner as shall be decided by the General ssembly4

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CHAPTE! II COMPETENCE OF THE COURT Article &' +4 Only states may be parties in cases before the Court4

-4 The Court% sub?ect to and in conformity .ith its $ules% may re;uest of public international organi,ations information rele)ant to cases before it% and shall recei)e such in formation presented by such organi,ations on their o.n initiati)e4 54 #hene)er the construction of the constituent instrument of a public international organi,ation or of an international con)ention adopted thereunder is in ;uestion in a case before the Court% the $egistrar shall so notify the public international organi,ation concerned and shall communicate to it copies of all the .ritten proceedings4 Article &( +4 The Court shall be open to the states parties to the present !tatute4

-4 The conditions under .hich the Court shall be open to other states shall% sub?ect to the special pro)isions contained in treaties in force% be laid do.n by the !ecurity Council% but in no case shall such conditions place the parties in a position of ine;uality before the Court4 54 #hen a state .hich is not a Member of the United Nations is a party to a case% the Court shall fi< the amount .hich that party isC to contribute [Link] the e<penses of the Court4 This pro)ision shall not apply if such state is bearing a share of the e<penses of the Court4 Article &) +4 The ?urisdiction of the Court comprises all cases .hich the parties refer to it and all matters specially pro)ided for in the Charter of the United Nations or in treaties and con)entions in force4 -4 The states parties to the present !tatute may at any time declare that they recogni,e as compulsory ipso facto and .ithout special agreement% in relation to any other state accepting the same obligation% the ?urisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes concerning@ a4 b4 the interpretation of a treatyA any ;uestion of international la.A

18

c4 the e<istence of any fact .hich% if established% .ould constitute a breach of an international obligationA d4 the nature or e<tent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation4 54 The declarations referred to abo)e may be made unconditionally or on condition of reciprocity on the part of se)eral or certain states% or for a certain time4 14 !uch declarations shall be deposited .ith the !ecretary-General of the United Nations% .ho shall transmit copies thereof to the parties to the !tatute and to the $egistrar of the Court4 24 "eclarations made under rticle 5/ of the !tatute of the Permanent Court of International *ustice and .hich are still in force shall be deemed% as [Link] the parties to the present !tatute% to be acceptances of the compulsory ?urisdiction of the International Court of *ustice for the period .hich they still ha)e to run and in accordance .ith their terms4 /4 In the e)ent of a dispute as to .hether the Court has C?urisdiction% the matter shall be settled by the decision of the Court4 Article &* #hene)er a treaty or con)ention in force pro)ides for reference of a matter to a tribunal to ha)e been instituted by the Feague of Nations% or to the Permanent Court of International *ustice% the matter shall% as [Link] the parties to the present !tatute% be referred to the International Court of *ustice4 Article &+ +4 The Court% .hose function is to decide in accordance .ith international la. such disputes as are submitted to it% shall apply@ a4 international con)entions% .hether general or particular% establishing rules e<pressly recogni,ed by the contesting statesA b4 c4 international custom% as e)idence of a general practice accepted as la.A the general principles of la. recogni,ed by ci)ili,ed nationsA

d4 sub?ect to4 the pro)isions of rticle 20% ?udicial decisions and the teachings of the most highly ;ualified publicists of the )arious nations% as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of la.4

10

-4 This pro)ision shall not pre?udice the [Link] of the Court to decide a case e< ae;uo et bono% if the parties agree thereto4

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CHAPTE! III PROCEDURE Article &, +4 The official languages of the Court shall be 3rench and (nglish4 If the parties agree that the case shall he conducted in 3rench% the ?udgment shall be deli)ered in 3rench4 If the parties agree that the case shall be conducted in (nglish% the ?udgment shall be deli)ered in (nglish4 -4 In the absence of an agreement as to .hich language shall be employed% each party may% in the pleadings% use the language .hich it prefersA the decision of the Court shall be gi)en in 3rench and (nglish4 In this case the Court shall at the same time determine .hich of the t.o te<ts Cshall be considered as authoritati)e4 54 The Court shall% at the re;uest of any party% authori,e a language other than 3rench or (nglish to be used by that party4 Article '+4 Cases are brought before the Court% as the case may be% either by the notification of the special agreement or by a .ritten application addressed to the $egistrar4 In either case the sub?ect of the dispute and the parties shall be indicated4 -4 The $egistrar shall [Link] communicate the application to all concerned4

54 Ee shall also notify the Members of the United Nations through the !ecretaryGeneral% and also any other states entitled to appear before the Court4 Article '1 +4 The Court shall ha)e the [Link] to indicate% if it considers that circumstances so re;uire% any pro)isional measures .hich ought to be ta>en to preser)e the respecti)e rights of either party4 -4 Pending the final decision% notice of the measures suggested shall [Link] be gi)en to the parties and to the !ecurity Council4 Article '% +4 -4 The parties shall be represented by agents4 They may ha)e the assistance of counsel or ad)ocates before the Court4

2+

54 The agents% counsel% and ad)ocates of parties before the Court shall en?oy the pri)ileges and immunities necessary to the independent e<ercise of their duties4 Article '& +4 The procedure shall consist of t.o parts@ .ritten and oral4

-4 The .ritten proceedings shall consist of the communication to the Court and to the parties of memorials% counter-memorials and% if necessary% repliesA also all papers and documents in support4 54 These communications shall be made through the $egistrar% in the order and .ithin the time fi<ed by the Court4 14 certified copy of e)ery document produced by one party shall be communicated to the other party4 24 The oral proceedings shall consist of the hearing by the Court of .itnesses% e<perts% agents% counsel% and ad)ocates4 Article '' +4 3or the ser)ice of all notices upon persons other than the agents% counsel% and ad)ocates% the Court shall apply direct to the go)ernment of the state upon .hose territory the notice has to be ser)ed4 The same pro)ision shall apply .hene)er stops are to be ta>en to procure e)idence on the spot4 Article '( The hearing shall be under the control of the President or% if he is unable to preside% of the Vice-PresidentA if neither is able to preside% the senior ?udge present shall preside4 Article ') The hearing in Court shall be public% unless the Court shall decide [Link]% or unless the parties demand that the public be not admitted4 Article '* +4 Minutes shall be made at each hearing and signed by the $egistrar and the President4 -4 These minutes alone shall be authentic4

2-

Article '+ The Court shall ma>e orders for the conduct of the case% shall decide the form and time in .hich each party must conclude its arguments% and ma>e all arrangements connected .ith the ta>ing of e)idence4 Article ', The Court may% e)en before the hearing begins% call upon the agents to produce any document or to supply any e<planations4 3ormal note shall be ta>en of any refusal4 Article (The Court may% at any time% entrust any indi)idual% body% bureau% commission% or other organi,ation that it may select% .ith the tas> of carrying out an en;uiry or gi)ing an e<pert% pinion4 Article (1 "uring the hearing any rele)ant ;uestions are to be put to the .itnesses and e<perts under the conditions laid do.n by the Court in the rules of procedure referred to in rticle 574 Article (% fter the Court has recei)ed the proofs and e)idence .ithin the time specified for the purpose% it may refuse to accept any further oral or .ritten e)idence that one party may desire to present unless the other side consents4 Article (& +4 #hene)er one of the parties does not appear before the Court% or fails to defend its case% the other party may call upon the Court to decide in fa)our of its claim4 -4 The Court must% before doing so% satisfy itself% not only that it has ?urisdiction in accordance .ith rticles 5/ and 56% but also that the claim is .ell founded in fact and la.4 Article (' +4 #hen% sub?ect to the control of the Court% the agents% counsel% and ad)ocates ha)e completed their presentation of the case% the President shall declare the hearing closed4 -4 The Court shall .ithdra. to consider the ?udgment4

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Article (( +4 ll ;uestions shall be decided by a ma?ority of the ?udges present4

-4 In the e)ent of an e;uality of )otes% the President or the ?udge .ho acts in his place shall ha)e a casting )ote4 Article () +4 -4 The ?udgement shall state the reasons on .hich it is based4 It shall contain the names of the ?udges .ho ha)e ta>en part in the decision4

Article (* If the ?udgement does not represent in .hole or in part the unanimous opinion of the ?udges% any ?udge shall be entitled to deli)er a separate opinion4 Article (+ The ?udgement shall be signed by the President and by the $egistrar4 It shall read in open court% due notice ha)ing been gi)en to the agents4 Article (, The decision of the Court has no binding force e<cept [Link] the parties and in respect of that particular case4 Article )The ?udgment is final and .ithout appeal4 In the e)ent of dispute as to the meaning or scope of the ?udgment% the Court shall construe it upon the re;uest of any party4 Article )1 +4 n application for re)ision of a ?udgment may be made only .hen it is based upon the disco)ery of some fact of such a nature as to be a decisi)e factor% .hich fact .as% .hen the ?udgment .as gi)en% un>no.n to the Court and also to the party claiming re)ision% [Link] pro)ided that such ignorance .as not due to negligence4 -4 The proceedings for re)ision shall be opened by a ?udgment of the Court e<pressly recording the e<istence of the ne. fact% recogni,ing that it has such a character as to lay the case open to re)ision% and declaring the application admissible on this ground4

21

54 The Court may re;uire pre)ious compliance .ith the terms of the ?udgment before it admits proceedings in re)ision4 14 The application for re)ision must be made at latest .ithin si< months of the disco)ery of the ne. fact4 24 No application for re)ision may be made after the lapse of ten years from the date of the ?udgment4 Article )% +4 !hould a state consider that it has an interest of a legal nature .hich may be affected by the decision in the case% it may submit a re;uest to the Court to be permitted to inter)ene4 -4 It shall be for the Court to decide upon this re;uest4

Article )& +4 #hene)er the construction of a con)ention to .hich states other than those concerned in the case are parties is in ;uestion% the $egistrar shall notify all such states forth.ith4 -4 ()ery state so notified has the right to inter)ene in the proceedingsA but if it uses this right% the construction gi)en by the ?udgment .ill be e;ually binding upon it4 Article )' Unless [Link] decided by the Court% each party shall bear its o.n costs4

22

CHAPTE! I# AD&ISORY OPINIONS Article )( +4 The Court may gi)e an ad)isory opinion on any legal ;uestion at the re;uest of .hate)er body may be authori,ed by or in accordance .ith the Charter of the United Nations to ma>e such a re;uest4 -4 Duestions upon .hich the ad)isory opinion of the Court is as>ed shall be laid before the Court by means of a .ritten re;uest containing an e<act statement of the ;uestion upon .hich an opinion is re;uired% and accompanied by all documents li>ely to thro. light upon the ;uestion4 Article )) +4 The $egistrar shall [Link] gi)e notice of the re;uest for an ad)isory opinion to all states entitled to appear before the Court4 -4 The $egistrar shall also% by means of a special and direct communication% notify any state entitled to appear before the Court or international organi,ation considered by the Court% or% should it not be sitting% by the President% as li>ely to be able to furnish information on the ;uestion% that the Court .ill be prepared to recei)e% .ithin a time limit to be fi<ed by the President% .ritten statements% or to hear% at a public sitting to be held for the purpose% oral statements relating to the ;uestion4 54 !hould any such state entitled to appear before the Court ha)e failed to recei)e the special communication referred to in paragraph - of this rticle% such state may e<press a desire to submit a .ritten statement or to be heardA and the Court .ill decide4 14 !tates and organi,ations ha)ing presented .ritten or oral statements or both shall be permitted to comment on the statements made by other states or organi,ations in the form% to the e<tent% and .ithin the time limits .hich the Court% or% should it not be sitting% the President% shall decide in each particular case4 ccordingly% the $egistrar shall in due time communicate any such .ritten statements to states and organi,ations ha)ing submitted similar statements4 Article )* The Court shall deli)er its ad)isory opinions in open court% notice ha)ing been gi)en to the !ecretary-General and to the representati)es of Members of the United Nations% of other states and of international organi,ations immediately concerned4

2/

Article )+ In the e<ercise of its ad)isory functions the Court shall further be guided by the pro)isions of the present !tatute .hich apply in contentious cases to the e<tent to .hich it recogni,es them to be applicable4

26

CHAPTE! # AMENDMENT Article ), mendments to the present !tatute shall be effected by the same procedure as is pro)ided by the Charter of the United Nations for amendments to that Charter% sub?ect ho.e)er to any pro)isions .hich the General ssembly upon recommendation of the !ecurity Council may adopt concerning the participation of states .hich are parties to the present !tatute but are not Members of the United Nations4 Article *The Court shall ha)e [Link] to propose such amendments to the present !tatute as it may deem necessary% through .ritten communications to the !ecretary-General% for consideration in conformity .ith the pro)isions of rticle /04

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