DR.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

Session: 2023-24

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION

PROJECT ON

THE UNITED NATIONS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY

SUBMITTED FOR THE PROJECT WORK UNDERTAKEN IN THE PARTIAL

FULFILMENT OF B.A. LL.B. (HONS.) 5 YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE OF DR.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA NLU, LUCKNOW

UNDER SUPERVISION OF:- SUBMITTED BY:-

DR. SAMREEN HUSSAIN PAWAN KUMAR
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR (LAW), ENROLL NO.: 200101097
.RMLNLU, Lucknow VIII Sem, B.A.LLB (Hons.)

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have contributed to the development
of this project. Firstly, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Samreen Hussain ma’am, whose
unwavering support, guidance, and assistance have been invaluable from the initial stages of this
endeavor. Without his enthusiasm, inspiration, and ability to clarify even the most complex
concepts in a clear manner, the successful inception of this project would have been a formidable
challenge.

Next, I wish to acknowledge the librarians of Dr. Madhu Limaye Library for their invaluable
assistance in locating relevant resources for my research and for aiding in the enrichment of my
knowledge.

Finally, I extend my appreciation to my peers and seniors for offering unique ideas and insights
that have contributed to enhancing this project. While I have endeavored to minimize
discrepancies, I acknowledge that they may exist, and I hope for forgiveness in this regard.

Thanking You

Pawan Kumar

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Contents
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................4

MEANING & NEED FOR PEACEKEEPING: ..............................................................................5

HISTORY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING ..................................................................5

THE UN SYSTEM ..........................................................................................................................6

A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ...............................................................................................8

B) THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.............................................................................................9

C) THE SECURITY COUNCIL................................................................................................10

D) PEACEKEEPING AND OBSERVER MISSIONS .............................................................12

PEACEKEEPING FACT SHEET .............................................................................................13

INSTRUMENTS FOR PEACE AND SECURITY .......................................................................14

A. Preventive Diplomacy And Peacemaking .............................................................................15

B. Peace-Keeping .......................................................................................................................15

C. Post-Conflict Peace-Building ................................................................................................15

D. Disarmament .........................................................................................................................15

E. Sanctions ................................................................................................................................16

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES UNDER UN THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE ..........................16

LIMITATION AND SOME FAILURES OF UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION .........................17

THE CHALLENGES FACED BY UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS? ........................18

INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS? ..........................................20

WHAT REFORMS ARE NECESSARY IN THE UNITED NATIONS ? ...................................21

CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................22

BIBLIOGRAPHY: .........................................................................................................................24

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 "THE UNITED NATIONS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL PEACE AND SECURITY"

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations (UN) is a prominent international organization with the primary objective of
promoting cooperation in areas such as international law, security, economic development, social
progress, human rights, and world peace. Established in 1945 following World War II, the UN
succeeded the League of Nations and serves as a platform for constructive dialogue aimed at
preventing conflicts between countries. The UN comprises several subsidiary bodies responsible
for implementing its mandates.

The United Nations is an international organization that consists of 193-member states. It includes
every sovereign state in the world, except the Vatican City. The UN and its specialized agencies
make decisions on substantive and administrative issues throughout the year, from their offices
located around the world. The organization comprises six principal organs, namely, the General
Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat, the
International Court of Justice, and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (currently inactive).
The General Assembly is the primary deliberative assembly, while the Security Council decides
on specific resolutions related to peace and security. The Economic and Social Council assists in
promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. The Secretariat
provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN, and the International Court of
Justice is the primary judicial organ. Other prominent agencies in the UN system include the World
Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The United Nations was established with the primary goal of maintaining international peace and
security. Throughout its history, the UN has intervened in order to prevent conflicts from escalating
into wars, to encourage opposing parties to resolve their disputes through peaceful means, and to
help restore peace when armed conflicts do occur. The UN has successfully helped to bring an end
to many conflicts, primarily through the actions of the Security Council, which is the main body
responsible for dealing with issues relating to international peace and security.

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The Security Council, the General Assembly, and the Secretary-General all have significant and
complementary roles to play in fostering peace and security. The UN's activities are focused on
various areas, including conflict prevention, peace-making, peacekeeping, enforcement, and peace
building.

MEANING & NEED FOR PEACEKEEPING:

Peacekeeping, defined by former International Peace Academy President General Indar Jit Rktye,1,
entails the prevention, limitation, moderation, and cessation of hostilities through the intervention
of a third party organised and directed by the international community. This intervention typically
involves a diverse team comprising military, police, and civilian personnel, all working
collaboratively to restore peace between or within states.

The genesis of the United Nations (UN) on October 24th, 1945, following the devastations of two
World Wars, marked a pivotal moment in global governance. Enshrined within the UN Charter is
its solemn mission to safeguard "succeeding generations from the scourge of war." Since its
inception, the UN has steadfastly committed itself to preventing disputes from escalating into full-
blown conflicts. Its approach often emphasizes the imperative of encouraging opposing factions to
pursue dialogue and negotiation over the destructive path of violence.

Throughout its existence, the UN has played a crucial role in containing and resolving numerous
conflicts worldwide. Its efforts have frequently manifested through the deployment of
peacekeeping missions, where skilled personnel are dispatched to volatile regions with the aim of
fostering stability and reconciliation. These missions epitomize the collective resolve of the
international community to uphold peace and mitigate the ravages of conflict wherever they arise.

HISTORY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING

During the Cold War era, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping emerged as a vital strategy for
resolving interstate conflicts. It involved deploying unarmed or lightly armed military personnel

1
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/28/world/americas/28iht-obits.3.5899403.html, last accessed on 18th
October’2011.

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from various countries, under UN command, to regions where warring factions required a neutral
observer to oversee peace processes. The UN's involvement was typically prompted by major
international powers, especially the five permanent members of the Security Council, in response
to conflicts that posed threats to regional stability and global peace and security. Many of these
conflicts were considered proxy wars between client states of superpowers.

Since its inception in 1948, the UN has conducted 59 peacekeeping operations, with sixteen
ongoing as of October 2004. New mission proposals surface annually. The first mission, the United
Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), was established in 1948 to monitor the
ceasefire between Israel and Arab states amid the creation of Israel. Despite its longevity, the
UNTSO persists amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Shortly after, the United Nations
Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was authorized in 1949 to oversee
relations between the two newly independent nations.

The 1988 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to UN peacekeeping forces, recognizing their
representation of the collective will of nations and their significant contributions to global conflict
resolution. The end of the Cold War in 1991 sparked a transformative period for UN peacekeeping.
The Security Council began establishing larger and more intricate peacekeeping missions, often
tasked with implementing comprehensive peace agreements in intrastate conflicts and civil wars.
Additionally, peacekeeping expanded to encompass non-military components, ensuring the
functionality of civic processes such as elections. This shift prompted the creation of the UN
Department of Peacekeeping Operations in 1992 to meet the growing demand for such missions.

THE UN SYSTEM

The United Nations (UN) operates with a clear distinction between the functions of its principal
organs, as outlined in its Charter. The Security Council is meant to function as the executive body,
while the General Assembly serves as the parliamentary forum. Both organs can contribute to the
peaceful settlement of disputes through traditional mechanisms of discussion, good offices, and
mediation. Nevertheless, due to political conditions in the international order, the UN system has
not always operated as intended, and adjustments have been made as opportunities presented
themselves.

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Only the Security Council has the power to adopt binding decisions, particularly through the means
of Chapter VII, to restore international peace and security. However, over time, the pattern of
development has proved to be less conducive to clear categorization. In the aftermath of the Cold
War, the UN Secretary-General made an influential attempt to detail the methods and mechanisms
available to the UN in seeking to resolve disputes.

In An Agenda for Peace, 2 the Secretary-General, while emphasising that respect for the
fundamental sovereignty and integrity of states constituted the foundation-stone of the
organization , noted the rapid changes affecting both states individually and the international
community as a whole and emphasised the role of the UN in securing peace. The Report sought to
categorise the types of actions that the organisation was undertaking or could undertake. Preventive
Diplomacy was action to prevent disputes from arising between states, to prevent existing disputes
from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of the latter when they occur. This included
efforts such as fact-finding, good offices and goodwill missions. Peacemaking involves action to
bring the hostile parties to agreement, utilising the peaceful means elaborated in Chapter VI of the
Charter. Peacekeeping is the deployment of a UN presence in the field. Peacebuilding is action to
identify and support structures that will assist peace 3 Peace Enforcement is peacekeeping not
involving the consent of the parties, which would rest upon the enforcement provisions of Chapter
VII of the Charter.5

The attack on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001 ‘dramatised the global threat of
terrorism’, while focusing attention upon ‘reconstructing weak or collapsed states’. The Secretary-
General has also emphasised the need to replace the culture of reaction by one of prevention and
by developing inter alia a thirty to ninety-day deployment capability.4

2
1992 Report, A/47/965.<The Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of the Recommendations>
3
See General Assembly Resolution 60/180 and Security Council Resolution 1645 (2005). 5 See Report of the
Secretary-General on the Work of the Organisation, New York, 1993
4
http:// www.un.org/ millennium/sg/report/, last accessed on 13 th October’2011.

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A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY5

Although the primary responsibility with regard to the maintenance of International peace and
security lies with the Security Council, the General Assembly may discuss any question or matter
within the scope of the Charter, including the maintenance of International peace and security, and
may make recommendations to the members of the UN or the Security Council, 8 provided the
Council is not itself dealing with the same matter.6 Under similar conditions, the Assembly may
under Article 14 ‘recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation regardless of
origin, which it deems likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations’. In
the Construction of a Wall case,7 the International Court emphasised that under Article 24 the
Security Council had a primary and not necessarily an exclusive competence with regard to the
maintenance of International peace and security, while the constraint placed by Article 12 on the
powers of the Assembly to make recommendations for the peaceful adjustment of situations had
been interpreted by evolving practice to permit both the Assembly and the Council to deal in
parallel with the same matter concerning the maintenance of International peace and security, with
the former often taking a broader view.8

In practice, the resolutions and declarations of the General Assembly (which are not binding) have
covered a very wide field, from colonial disputes to alleged violations of human rights and the
need for justice in International economic affairs. The role of the General Assembly increased after
1945 due to two factors: first, the existence of the veto in the Security Council rendered that organ
powerless in many important disputes since the permanent members (USA, UK, USSR (now
Russia), France and China) rarely agreed with respect to any particular conflict; and secondly, the
vast increase in the membership of the UN had the effect of radicalising the Assembly and its
deliberations. More recently the increased role of the Security Council has overshadowed that of
the Assembly.

5
See White, Keeping the Peace, part II; M. J. Peterson, The General Assembly in World Politics, Boston, 1986.
8
Articles 10 and 11 of the UN Charter.
6
Article 12, UN Charter.
7
ICJ Reports, 2004, p. 136
8
See Resolution 377(V), The ‘Uniting for Peace’ Resolution, p. 1272.

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B) THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Just as the impotence of the Security Council stimulated a growing awareness of the potentialities
of the General Assembly, it similarly underlined the role to be played by the United Nations
Secretary-General. By Article 99 of the Charter, he is entitled to bring to the attention of the
Security Council any matter which he thinks may threaten the maintenance of International peace
and security and this power is in addition to his function as the chief administrative officer of the
United Nations organisation under Article 79.9 In effect, the Secretary-General has considerable
discretion and much has depended upon the views and outlook of the person filling the post at any
given time, as well as the general political situation. The good offices role of the Secretary-General
has rapidly expanded. 10 In exercising such a role, Secretaries-General have sought to act
independently of the Security Council and General Assembly, in the former case, in so far as they
have not been constrained by binding resolutions (as for example in the Kuwait situation of 1990–
1). The assumption of good offices and mediation activity may arise either because of independent
action by the Secretary-General as part of the exercise of his inherent powers or as a consequence
of a request made by the Security Council11 or General Assembly.12In some cases, the Secretary-
General has acted upon the invitation of the parties themselves, and on other occasions, the
Secretary-General has acted in concert with the relevant regional organisation. In many cases, the
Secretary-General will appoint a Special Representative to assist in seeking a solution to the
particular problem.13 The development of good offices and mediation activities first arose as a
consequence of the severe restrictions imposed upon UN operations by the Cold War. The
cessation of the Cold War led to greatly increased activity by the UN and as a consequence the
work of the Secretary-General expanded as he sought to bring to fruition the wide range of

9
Article 98
Stating that the Secretary-General also performs such other functions as are entrusted to him by the General Assembly,
Security Council, Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.
10
See T.M. Franck, Fairness in International Law and Institutions, p. 1295, Oxford Publications, 1995,
11
See Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) regarding the Middle East; 367 (1975) regarding Cyprus; 384 (1975)
regarding East Timor; 435 (1978) regarding Namibia and 713 (1991) regarding Yugoslavia.
12
See, General Assembly Resolution ES-6/2, 1980 with regard to Afghanistan, and The Geneva Accords published by
the United Nations, 1988, DPI/935-40420.
13
See, for the full list, www.un.org/Depts/dpko/SRSG/index.html., last accessed on 18 th October’2011.
17
See Simma Charter, p. 442

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initiatives undertaken by the organisation. The experiences of Somalia, Rwanda and Bosnia in the
mid-1990s and Iraq from 1991 to the 2003 war have been disappointing for the organisation.

C) THE SECURITY COUNCIL

The primary objective of the United Nations as stipulated in Article 1 of the Charter is the
maintenance of International peace and security and disputes likely to endanger this are required
under Article 33 to be solved ‘by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial
settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements or other peaceful means’. Indeed, the
Charter declares as one of its purposes in Article 1, ‘to bring about by peaceful means and in
conformity with the principles of justice and International law, adjustment or settlement of
International disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace’. By Article 24,17 the
members of the UN conferred on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance
of International peace and security, and by Article 2514 agreed to accept and carry out the decisions
of the Security Council. The International Court in the Namibia case15 drew attention to the fact
that the provision in Article 25 was not limited to enforcement actions under Chapter VII of the
Charter but applied to ‘“decisions of the Security Council” adopted in accordance with the
Charter’. Accordingly a declaration of the Council taken under Article 24 in the exercise of its
primary responsibility for the maintenance of International peace and security could constitute a
decision under Article 25 so that member states ‘would be expected to act in consequence of the
declaration made on their behalf ’. Whether a particular resolution adopted under Article 24
actually constituted a decision binding all member states was a matter for analysis in each
particular case, ‘having regard to the terms of the resolution to be interpreted, the discussions
leading to it, the Charter provisions invoked and, in general, all circumstances that might assist in
determining the legal consequences of the resolution of the Security Council’. Under the Charter,
the role of the Security Council when dealing with the specific settlement of disputes specifically
under Chapter VI differs from when the Council is contemplating action relating to threats to or

14
Ibid p.452
15
ICJ Reports, 1971, p.16

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breaches of the peace, or acts of aggression under Chapter VII. In the former instance there is no
power as such to make binding decisions with regard to member states.

In pursuance of its primary responsibility, the Security Council may, by Article 34, ‘investigate
any dispute, or any situation which might lead to International friction or give rise to dispute, in
order to determine whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the
maintenance of International peace and security’. In addition to this power of investigation, the
Security Council can, where it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their dispute by the
means elaborated in Article 33.16 The Council may intervene if it wishes at any stage of a dispute
or situation, the continuance of which is likely to endanger International peace and security, and
under Article 36(1) recommend appropriate procedures or methods of adjustment. But in making
such recommendations, which are not binding, it must take into consideration the general principle
that legal disputes should be referred by the parties to the International Court of Justice. 17 Where
the parties to a dispute cannot resolve it by the various methods mentioned in Article 33, they
should refer it to the Security Council by Article 37. The Council, where it is convinced that the
continuance of the dispute is likely to endanger International peace and security, may recommend
not only procedures and adjustment methods, but also such terms of settlement as it may consider
appropriate.

Once the Council, however, has determined the existence of a threat to, or a breach of, the peace
or act of aggression, it may make decisions which are binding upon member states of the UN under
Chapter VII, but until that point it can under Chapter VI issue recommendations only. 18Under
Article 35(1) any UN member state may bring a dispute or a situation which might lead to
International friction or give rise to a dispute before the Council, while a non-member state may
bring to the attention of the Council any dispute under Article 35(2) provided it is a party to the
dispute in question and ‘accepts in advance, for the purposes of the dispute, the obligations of

16
Article 38
The Security Council may make recommendations to the parties with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes
generally if all the parties to the dispute so request.
17
The Corfu Channel Case before the ICJ.
18
Note, that under Article 37(2) if the Council deems that a continuance of a dispute is likely to endanger international
peace and security, it ‘shall decide whether to take action under Article 36 or to recommend such terms of settlement
as it may consider appropriate’.

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pacific settlement provided in the present Charter’. It is also possible for third parties to bring
disputes to the attention of the Council.

D) PEACEKEEPING AND OBSERVER MISSIONS19

There is no explicit legal basis for peacekeeping activities in the UN Charter. They arose in the
absence of the contribution of armed forces and facilities to the UN as detailed in Article 43.
Accordingly, a series of arrangements and operations have evolved since the inception of the
organisation, which taken together have established a clear pattern of acceptable reaction by the
UN in particular crisis situations. The broad bases for such activities lie in the general provisions
in the Charter governing the powers of the Security Council and General Assembly. The Security
Council, for example, may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the
performance of its functions (Article 29) and those functions are laid down in Articles 34 (powers
of investigation); 36, 37 and 38 (powers to recommend appropriate procedures or methods of
dispute settlement); and 39 (powers of recommendation or decision in order to maintain or restore
International peace and security). The Security Council may, in particular under Article 42, take
such action by land, sea or air forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore International peace
and security. This is the basis for action explicitly taken under Chapter VII of the Charter.

However, the majority of peacekeeping activities have not been so authorized and it is unlikely
that Article 42 can be seen as the legal basis for all such activities. The Security Council can entrust
functions to the Secretary-General under Article 98 and this mechanism has proved significant in
practice. The General Assembly has wide powers under Articles 10 and 11 to discuss and make
recommendations on matters within the scope of the UN Charter, including recommendations
concerning the maintenance of International peace and security.20 Under Article 14, the Assembly
may recommend measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situation regardless of origin which
it deems likely to impair the general welfare or friendly relations among nations. It can, however,
take no binding decision in such matters. The Assembly may also establish such subsidiary organs
as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions (Article 22) and entrust functions to the

19
United Nations, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Principles and Guidelines, New York Publications, 2008
20
However, under Article 11(2), where action is necessary on any question relating to the maintenance of international
25
peace and security, the matter must be referred to the Security Council. See
www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/index.asp., last accessed on 16 October’2011.
th

12
Secretary-General (Article 98). It is because such operations fall somewhat between Chapter VI
(peaceful settlement) and Chapter VII
(enforcement) of the Charter, that the term ‘Chapter Six and a Half has been used.25
DEPARTMENT OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), which was established as a separate

department of the UN Secretariat in 1992, is responsible for planning, managing, deploying,
supporting and, on behalf of the Secretary-General, providing executive direction to all UN
peacekeeping operations. It also performs similar functions in support of peace and security
operations that are predominantly civilian, such as the United Nations Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA). DPKO works very closely with the Department of Political Affairs
(DPA), which is the focal point in the UN system for conflict prevention, peacemaking and
peacebuilding.

PEACEKEEPING FACT SHEET21

Fact Sheet as of 31 August 2011

• Peacekeeping operations since 1948: 66

• Current peacekeeping operations: 16
• Current peace operations directed and supported by the Department of Peacekeeping
Operations: 16

Personnel

• Uniformed personnel: 97,614 o Troops: 81,402 o Police: 14,059 o Military observers:

2,153
• Countries contributing uniformed personnel: 114
• Civilian personnel (30 June 2011): 19,577 o International (30 June 2011): 5,707 o Local
(30 June 2011): 13,870

21
http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/resources/statistics/factsheet.shtml, last accessed on 18 th October’2011.

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 • UN Volunteers (30 June 2011): 2,255
• Total number of personnel serving in 15 peacekeeping operations: 119,446
• Total number of personnel serving in 16 DPKO-led peace operations: 121,448 Total
fatalities: 2,932

Financial aspects

• Approved resources for the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012: about $7.06 billion
• Estimated total cost of operations from 1948 to 30 June 2010: about $69 billion
• Outstanding contributions to peacekeeping: about $5.30 billion

INSTRUMENTS FOR PEACE AND SECURITY

The United Nations has developed a range of instruments for controlling and resolving conflicts
between and within States. The most important of them are preventive diplomacy and
peacemaking; peace-keeping; peace-building; disarmament; sanctions; and peace enforcement.
The first three can be employed only with the consent of the parties to the conflict. Sanctions and
enforcement, on the other hand, are coercive measures and thus, by definition, do not require the
consent of the party concerned. Disarmament can take place on an agreed basis or in the context
of coercive action under Chapter VII.

The United Nations does not have or claim a monopoly of any of these instruments. All can be,
and most of them have been, employed by regional organizations, by ad hoc groups of States or
by individual States, but the United Nations has unparalleled experience of them and it is to the
United Nations that the international community has turned increasingly since the end of the cold
war. The United Nations system is also better equipped than regional organizations or individual
Member States to develop and apply the comprehensive, long-term approach needed to ensure the
lasting resolution of conflicts.

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A. Preventive Diplomacy And Peacemaking

It is evidently better to prevent conflicts through early warning, quiet diplomacy and, in some
cases, preventive deployment than to have to undertake major politico-military efforts to resolve
them after they have broken out.

B. Peace-Keeping

The United Nations can be proud of the speed with which peace-keeping has evolved in response
to the new political environment resulting from the end of the cold war, but the last few years have
confirmed that respect for certain basic principles of peace-keeping are essential to its success.
Three particularly important principles are the consent of the parties, impartiality and the non-use
of force except in self-defence. Analysis of recent successes and failures shows that in all the
successes those principles were respected and in most of the less successful operations one or other
of them was not.

C. Post-Conflict Peace-Building

The validity of the concept of post-conflict peace-building has received wide recognition. The
measures it can use - and they are many - can also support preventive diplomacy.
Demilitarization, the control of small arms, institutional reform, improved police and judicial
systems, the monitoring of human rights, electoral reform and social and economic development
can be as valuable in preventing conflict as in healing the wounds after conflict has occurred.

D. Disarmament

At their Summit on 31 January 1992, the members of the Security Council underscored their
interest in and concern for disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, with special reference
to weapons of mass destruction. They committed themselves to taking concrete steps to enhance
the effectiveness of the United Nations in those areas.

15
E. Sanctions22

Under Article 41 of the Charter, the Security Council may call upon Member States to apply
measures not involving the use of armed force in order to maintain or restore international peace
and security. Such measures are commonly referred to as sanctions. This legal basis is recalled in
order to underline that the purpose of sanctions is to modify the behaviour of a party that is
threatening international peace and security and not to punish or otherwise exact retribution.

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES UNDER UN THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE

There are other UN organizations that help promote a culture of peace. UNICEF, the United
Nations Children's Fund23, helps to protect the rights of children. It carries out both preventive
initiatives to help promote the education of children in developing countries and protective actions
to help children in times of war, when they are often the most vulnerable victims. Indeed, if the
future is to be ensured, it is important that children be educated and not be mistreated. Children
ensure a country's future. Ensuring that children are not mistreated helps both to develop a
country's capacities and to prevent, as much as is possible, the outbreak of future conflicts.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund29, also helps to promote a culture of peace by
developing information programs for women, especially with regard to sex education. It provides
women in particular with all the necessary information and resources. This allows them in turn to
make fully informed decisions and thereby contribute to a better management of the planet's
population. WHO, the World Health Organization, promotes scientific cooperation in health
matters, helps reinforce health systems and assists governments which ask for emergency aid. The
provision of care to populations in distress alleviates many ills, whether they be physical or
psychological. The WFP, the World Food Programme30 promotes better nutrition by using food

22
Refer Article 41, UN Charter.
23
last accessed on 18th October’2011.
http:// www.unicef.org.html,
29
http:// www.unfpa.org.html, last accessed on 18th October’2011.
http:// www.wfp.org.html, last accessed on 18 October’2011
30 th

16
aid to support economic and social development. It is helped in this by the FAO, the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations24, which sets up programs to help foster greater
agricultural productivity, thereby fighting hunger and poverty around the world. Hunger and
poverty are two important factors in the outbreak of conflicts.

All of these UN programs are attempting, with the means that are available to them, to prevent
conflicts and have a world that is free of violence. However, it will be some time before we reach
this enviable state on our planet. This being true, the UN will have to continue to separate
belligerents by intervening through peacekeeping missions.

LIMITATION AND SOME FAILURES OF UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION

The United Nation’s capacity to bring a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict is being
questioned due to changing global power dynamics. Over time, the UN's effectiveness inconflict
resolution has diminished, and it has seen reduced influence in recent decades. Conflicting interests
among major powers often prevent the UN from reaching a consensus on matters related to
peacebuilding, security, and ceasefire agreements.

▪ Israeli-Palestinian conflict (1948-Now): The UN has failed to resolve the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict, with Israel maintaining control over historic Palestine and facing little
accountability for its actions..

▪ Cambodia Violence (1975-1979): The UN recognized the Khmer Rouge regime, ignoring
human rights violations, and failed to prevent genocide in Cambodia.

▪ Civil War in Somalia and South Sudan (1991-Now): The UN peacekeeping mission in
Somalia failed due to the lack of a government to engage with and repeated attacks against
UN officers, resulting in civilian deaths.

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http:// www.fao.org.html, last accessed on 18th October’2011

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▪ The civil war in South Sudan has killed hundreds of thousands despite the presence of UN
peacekeeping forces.

▪ Darfur Conflict in Sudan (2003-Now): The UN intervened years after the conflict
in Darfur began, and the situation remains dire, with millions affected.

▪ Iraq Invasion (2003-2011): The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, based on concerns about
Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) under UN Resolution 1483, resulted in instability and
later contributed to the rise of ISIS. ISIS took control of territory in Iraq and Syria, triggering
a major regional and global crisis.

▪ Syrian Civil War (2011-Now) : The UNSC limited action in the Syrian war led to a
prolonged and devastating conflict in the region with millions of displaced Syrians.

▪ Yemen Civil War (2014-Now): The UN's efforts to provide humanitarian aid have been
hindered by the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen.

▪ Rohingya Crisis, Myanmar (2017-Now): The UN failed to prevent the persecution and
displacement of the Rohingya in Myanmar.

THE CHALLENGES FACED BY UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS?

Strategic Challenges:

▪ Lack of Adequate Representation: The UNSC is less effective because it is less

representative, the most pertinent absence being that of Africa (a continent of 54 countries).

▪ Leadership System: The effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations has been hampered

by leadership failures, poor management, discipline issues, and inefficiencies in traditional
peacekeeping approaches.

▪ Legislation: Troop and police-contributing countries often have varying interpretations of

Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA), mandates, and Rules of Engagement.

▪ Global Order: Geopolitical and strategic interests of powerful nations can influence UN
decision-making, leading to conflicts of interest.

Operational Challenges:

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▪ Nature of Armed Conflict:. The evolving threats of violent extremism, transnational
terrorism, and organized crime have made it challenging for peacekeepers to protect civilians
and maintain security, especially in areas where peace and stability are difficult to achieve.

▪ Misuse of Veto Power: Veto power has been always criticized by many experts as well as
by most States calling it a ”self-chosen club of the privileged” and non-democratic. It has
been criticized for not allowing the Council to make necessary decisions whenever it
displeases any one of the P-5.

▪ Methods of Operation: Peacekeeping operations now require a wide range of social and
military activities to support or restore a host country's government and social institutions.

▪ Readiness: The UN does not have a standing army or police force, which makes it
challenging to mobilize multinational member states' military and police forces for field
missions.

Tactical Challenges:

▪ Geopolitical Rivalry within P5: The geopolitical rivalry among the permanent members
of the UNSC (P5) has prevented the UNSC from coming up with effective mechanisms to
deal with global issues like the invasion of Afghanistan.

▪ Lack of Common Understanding of Operations: Lack of a common understanding of

operations among peacekeepers can lead to ineffective deployment.

▪ Multilateral Cooperation: Finding a comprehensive and effective leadership system that

integrates UN and non-UN organizations in areas of operation remains a challenge.

▪ Discipline and Code of Conduct: Peacekeepers, police, and civilian personnel may engage
in misconduct and mishandling of UN properties.

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INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS?

▪ Troop Deployment: India has been actively involved in UN peacekeeping operations since
its first commitment in Korea in 1950. Indian troops have served in 49 of the 72 UN
missions, totalling over 253,000 personnel deployed worldwide.

o Female Peacekeepers: India has deployed Female Engagement Teams in the United
Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, which is the second largest
women contingent after Liberia.

▪ Medical and Engineering Units: India deploys medical teams and engineering units to
provide essential services, such as medical care and infrastructure development, in conflict-
affected regions.

▪ Expertise in Training: India's Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping

(CUNPK) provides training and expertise in peacekeeping operations.

▪ Leadership Roles: Indian officers have served in leadership roles within UN missions,
including as Force Commanders, contributing to effective mission management.

▪ Humanitarian Assistance: In addition to military contributions, India has provided

humanitarian assistance, including medical aid and disaster relief support, in conflict-affected
regions.

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WHAT REFORMS ARE NECESSARY IN THE UNITED NATIONS ?

▪ Improve UNSC Structure and Functioning:

o Expanding the number of permanent members.

o Implementing limitations on veto use in cases of mass atrocities and introducing

collective veto consultation.

o Provide adequate resources to the Department of Political and Peacebuilding

Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).

o Create a single political-operational Structure for streamlining and enhancing

coordination

▪ Strengthen Conflict Prevention Mechanisms:

o Enhance intelligence gathering and developing regional early warning centers.

o Invest in diplomatic efforts and expand the role of special envoys.

▪ Enhance Peacekeeping Operations:

o Promote a coordinated approach with fostering cross-pillar coordination.

o Provide training in hybrid and unconventional warfare and equipping peacekeepers

with advanced technology.

o Addressing misconduct and sexual exploitation issues while strengthening

peacekeeper discipline.

▪ Bolstering Partnerships:

o Strengthen connections with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and promote

grassroots participation.

o Leverage resources and expertise from the private sector, aligning business interests
with peace and security goals.

o Enhance ties with regional entities such as the African Union (AU) and
the European Union (EU) and participate in joint peacekeeping initiatives

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 CONCLUSION

The United Nations (UN) is an organization that plays a vital role in maintaining international
peace and security through its various agencies. Since its establishment, the UN has carried out 66
peacekeeping missions, and currently, there are 16 missions in progress. However, some people
criticize the UN, arguing that it is not an independent body and is instead influenced by member
nations that prioritize their own interests. Moreover, these critics point out that there is no provision
for peacekeeping in the UN Charter. Despite these criticisms, it is evident that the UN is working
towards the welfare of society. Several agencies such as UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, UNDP, ILO,
and UNHRC ensure general welfare in addition to peacekeeping efforts.

As conflicts, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and emerging threats continue to affect the world, it
is becoming increasingly clear that the UN's peace and security apparatus needs to be made more
efficient. However, it is important to recognize that implementing UN reforms will require a
collective commitment from member states, as well as consistent monitoring and evaluation. The
United Nations (UN) stands at the forefront of global efforts to maintain international peace and
security, leveraging its numerous agencies to achieve these goals. Since its inception, the
organization has launched 66 peacekeeping missions, with 16 of those operations currently active.
Despite its achievements, the UN has faced criticism over its perceived lack of independence, with
detractors arguing that it operates under the influence of its member nations, which often prioritize
their own interests. Furthermore, critics highlight that the UN Charter does not explicitly provide
for peacekeeping operations. Regardless of these critiques, the positive impact of the UN on global
welfare is undeniable. Through the work of various agencies, including UNICEF, UNESCO,
WHO, UNDP, ILO, and UNHRC, the organization not only contributes to peacekeeping but also
significantly advances the general welfare of societies worldwide.

In the face of ongoing conflicts, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and emerging global threats, the
necessity for a more robust and efficient UN peace and security mechanism is more apparent than
ever. Achieving such a transformation, however, necessitates a collective commitment from all
member states, underscored by a willingness to undertake substantial reforms. This process also

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demands consistent monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the organization can effectively
respond to the evolving landscape of global challenges. As the world continues to navigate these
complexities, the role of the UN in fostering international cooperation and peace remains
indispensable. The journey towards enhancing its efficacy and impact involves acknowledging its
current limitations while working collectively to strengthen its capacity to address the myriad
challenges of the 21st century.

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