UN Charter
UN Charter
AND
STATUTE OF THE
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good
neighbors, 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, save in the common interest, and
to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social
advancement of all peoples,
Article 2
The Organization and its Members, in pursuit CHAPTER II
of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in
MEMBERSHIP
accordance with the following Principles.
1. The Organization is based on the principle Article 3
of the sovereign equality of all its Members. The original Members of thè United Nations
2 . All Members, in order to ensure to all of shall be the states which, having participated in
them the rights and benefits resulting from mem- the United Nations Conference on International
bership, shall fulfil in good faith the obligations Organization at San Francisco, or having previ-
assumed by them in accordance with the present ously signed the Declaration by United Nations
Charter. of January 1 , 1 9 4 2 , sign the present Charter and
3. All Members shall settle their international ratify it in accordance with Article 1 1 0 .
3
Article 4 Article 8
1. Membership in the United Nations is open The United Nations shall place no restrictions
to all other peace-loving states which accept the on the eligibility of men and women to participate
obligations contained in the present Charter and, in any capacity and under conditions of equality
"in the judgment of the Organization, are able and in>its principal and subsidiary organs.
willing to carry out these obligations.
2. The admission of any such state to mem-
bership in the United Nations will be effected by a
decision of the General Assembly upon the recom- CHAPTER IV
mendation of the Security Council.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ArticleS , Composition
A Member of the United Nations against which Article 9
preventive or enforcement action has been taken 1. The General Assembly shall consist of all
by the Security Council may be suspended from the Members of the United Nations.
the exercise of the rights and privileges of mem- 2. Each Member shall have not more than five
bership by the General Assembly upon the recom- representatives in the General Assembly.
mendation of the Security Council. The exercise
of these rights and privileges may be restored by Functions and Powers
the Security Council. Article 10
The General Assembly may discuss any ques-
Article 6 tions or any matters within the scope of the present
A Member of the United Nations which has Charter or relating to the powers and functions of
persistently violated the Principles contained in any organs provided for in the present Charter,
the present Charter may be expelled from the and, except as provided in Article 12, may make
Organization by the General Assembly upon the recommendations to the Members of the United
recommendation of the Security Council. Nations or to the Security Council or to both on
any such questions or matters.
Article 11
CHAPTER III 1. The General Assembly may consider the
general principles of cooperation in the mainte-
ORGANS
nance of international peace and security, includ-
Article 7 ing the principles governing disarmament and the
1. There are established as the principal or- regulation of armaments, and may make recom-
gans of the United Nations: a General Assem- mendations with regard to such principles to the
bly, a Security Council, an Economic and Social Members or to the Security Council or to both.
Council, a Trusteeship Council, an International 2. The General Assembly may discuss any
Court of Justice, and a Secretariat. questions relating to the maintenance of inter-
2. Such subsidiary organs as may be found national peace and security brought before it by
necessary may be established in accordance with any Member of the United Nations, or by the
the present Charter. Security Council, or by a state which is not a
4
Member of the United Nations in accordance with b. promoting international cooperation in
Article 35, paragraph 2, and, except as provided the economic, social, cultural, educational, and
in Article 12, may make recommendations with healthfields,and assisting in the realization of
regard to any such questions to the state or states human rights and fundamental freedoms for
concerned or to the Security Council or to both. all without distinction as to race, sex, language,
Any such question on which action is necessary or religion.
shall be referred to the Security Council by the 2. The further responsibilities, functions, and
General Assembly either before or after dis- powers of the General Assembly with respect to
cussion. matters mentioned in paragraph 1(b) above are
3. The General Assembly may call the atten- set forth in Chapters IX and X .
tion of the Security Council to situations which
are likely to endanger international peace and Article 14
security. Subject to the provisions of Article 12, the
4. The powers of the General Assembly set General Assembly may recommend measures for
forth in this Article shall not limit the general the peaceful adjustment of any situation, regard-
scope of Article 10. less of origin, which it deems likely to impair the
general welfare or friendly relations among na-
Article 12 tions, including situations resulting from a viola-
1. While the Security Council is exercising in tion of the provisions of the present Charter setting
respect of any dispute or situation the functions forth the Purposes and Principles of the United
assigned to it in the present Charter, the General Nations.
Assembly shall not make any recommendation Article 15
with regard to that dispute or situation unless the 1. The General Assembly shall receive and
Security Council so requests. consider annual and special reports from the Se-
2. The Secretary-General, with the consent of curity Council; these reports shall include an
the Security Council, shall notify the General account of the measures that the Security Council
Assembly at each session of any matters relative has decided upon or taken to maintain interna-
to the maintenance of international peace and tional peace and security.
security which are being dealt with by the Security 2. The General Assembly shall receive and
Council and shall similarly notify the General consider reports from the other organs of the
Assembly, or the Members of the United Nations United Nations.
if the General Assembly is not in session, immedi-
ately the Security Council ceases to deal with such Article 16
matters. The General Assembly shall perform such
functions with respect to the international trus-
Article 13 teeship system as are assigned to it under Chap-
1. The General Assembly shall initiate studies ters XII and XIII, including the approval of the
and make recommendations for the purpose of: trusteeship agreements for areas not designated
a. promoting international cooperation in as strategic.
the politicalfieldand encouraging the progres- Article 17
c
sive development of international law and its 1. Thé General Assembly shall consider and
codification; approve the budget of the Organization.
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2. The expenses of the Organization shall be due from it for the preceding two full years. The
borne by the Members as apportioned by the General Assembly may, nevertheless, permit such
General Assembly. a Member to vote if it is satisfied that the failure
3. The General Assembly shall consider and to pay is due to conditions beyond the control of
approve any financial and budgetary arrange- the Member.
ments with specialized agencies referred to in
Article 57 and shall examine the administra- Procedure
tive budgets of such specialized agencies with a Article 20
view to making recommendations to the agencies The General Assembly shall meet in regular
concerned. annual sessions and in such special sessions as
occasion may require. Special sessions shall be
Voting convoked by the Secretary-General at the request
Article 18 of the Security Council or of a majority of the
1. Each member of the General Assembly Members of the United Nations.
shall have one vote.
2. Decisions of the General Assembly on im- Article 21
portant questions shall be made by a two-thirds The General Assembly shall adopt its own rules
majority of the members present and voting. of procedure. It shall elect its President for each
These questions shall include: recommendations session.
with respect to the maintenance of international
peace and security, the election of the non-perma- Article 22
nent members of the Security Council, the elec- The General Assembly may establish such
tion of the members of the Economic and Social subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the
Council, the election of members of the Trustee- performance of its functions.
ship Council in accordance with paragraph 1(c)
of Article 86, the admission of new Members to
the United Nations, the suspension of the rights CHAPTER V
and privileges of membership, the expulsion of
THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Members, questions relating to the operation of
the trusteeship system, and budgetary questions. Composition
3. Decisions on other questions, including the Article 23
determination of additional categories of ques- 1. The Security Council shall consist of eleven
tions to be decided by a two-thirds majority, shall Members of the United Nations. The Republic
be riiade by a majority of the members present of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist
and voting. Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland, and the United States of
Article 19 America shall be permanent members of the
A Member of the United Nations which is in Security Council. The General Assembly shall
arrears in the payment of its financial contribu- elect six other Members of the United Nations to
tions to the Organization shall have no vote in be non-permanent members of the Security Coun-
the General Assembly if the amount of its arrears cil, due regard being specially paid, in the first
equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions instance to the contribution of Members of the
6
United Nations to the maintenance of interna- curity Council shall be responsible for formulat-
tional peace and security and to the other pur- ing, with the assistance of the Military Staff Com-
poses of the Organization, and also to eqxiitable mittee referred to in Article 47, plans to be sub-
geographical distribution. mitted to the Members of the United Nations for
2. The non-permanent members of the Se- the establishment of a system for the regulation
curity Council shall be elected for a term of two of armaments.
years. In the first election of the non-permanent
members, however, three shall be chosen for a Voting
term of one year. A retiring member shall not be Article 27
eligible for immediate re-election. 1. Each member of the Security Council shall
3. Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote.
have one representative. 2. Decisions of the Security Council on pro-
cedural matters shall be made by an affirmative
Functions and Powers vote of seven members.
Article 24 3. Decisions of the Security Council on all
1. In order to ensure prompt and effective other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote
action by the United Nations, its Members confer of seven members including the concurring votes
on the Security Council primary responsibility of the permanent members; provided that, in deci-
for the maintenance of international peace and sions under Chapter VI, and under paragraph 3
security, and agree that in carrying out its duties of Article 52, a party to a dispute shall abstain
under this responsibility the Security Council acts from voting.
on their behalf.
2. In discharging these duties the Security Procedure
Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes Article 28
and Principles of the United Nations. The specific 1. The Security Council shall be so organized
powers granted to the Security Council for the as to be able to function continuously. Each
discharge of these duties are laid down in Chapters member of the Security Council shall for this pur-
VI, VII, VIII, and XII. pose be represented at all times at the seat of the
3. The Security Council shall submit annual Organization.
and, when necessary, special reports to the Gen- 2. The Security Council shall hold periodic
eral Assembly for its consideration. meetings at which each of its members may, if it
so desires, be represented by a member of the
Article 25 government or by some other specially designated
The Members of the United Nations agree to representative.
accept and carry out the decisions of the Security 3. The Security Council may hold meetings at
Council in accordance with the present Charter. such places other than the seat of the Organization
as in its judgment will best facilitate its work.
Article 26
In order to promote the establishment and Article 29
maintenance of international peace and security The Security Council may establish such sub-
with the least diversion for armaments of the sidiary organs as it deems necessary for the per-
world's human and economic resources, the Se- formance of its functions.
7
Article 30 national friction or give rise to a dispute, in order
The Security Council shall adopt its own rules to determine whether the continuance of the dis-
of procedure, including the method of selecting pute or situation is likely to endanger the main-
its President. tenance of international peace and security.
Article 31
Any Member of the United Nations which is not Article 35
a member of the Security Council may participate, 1. Any Member of the United Nations may
without vote, in the discussion of any question bring any dispute, or any situation of the nature
brought before the Security Council whenever the referred to in Article 34, to the attention of the
latter considers that the interests of that Member Security Council or of the General Assembly.
are specially affected. 2. A state which is not a Member of the United
Nations may bring to the attention of the Security
Article 32 Council or of the General Assembly any dispute
Any Member of the United Nations which is to which it is a party if it accepts in advance, for
not a member of the Security Council or any state the purposes of the dispute, the obligations of
which is not a Member of the United Nations, if pacific settlement provided in the present Charter.
it is a party to a dispute under consideration by 3. The proceedings of the General Assembly
the Security Council, shall be invited to partici- in respect of matters brought to its attention under
pate, without vote, in the discussion relating to this Article will be subject to the provisions of
the dispute. The Security Council shall lay down Articles 11 and 12.
such conditions as it deems just for the participa-
tion of a state which is not a Member of the United Article 36
Nations. 1. The Security Council may, at any stage of
a dispute of the nature referred to in Article 33
CHAPTER VI or of a situation of like nature, recommend appro-
priate procedures or methods of adjustment.
PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
2. The Security Council should take into con-
Article 33 sideration any procedures for the settlement of
1. The parties to any dispute, the continuance the dispute which have already been adopted by
of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of the parties.
international peace and security, shall,firstof all, 3. In making recommendations under this Ar-
seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, ticle the Security Council should also take into
conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, re- consideration that legal disputes should as a gen-
sort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other eral rule be referred by the parties to the Interna-
peaceful means of their own choice. tional Court of Justice in accordance with the
2. The Security Council shall, when it deems provisions of the Statute of the Court.
necessary, call Upon the parties to settle their
dispute by such means. Article 37
1. Should the parties to a dispute of the nature
Article 34 referred to in Article 33 fail to settle it by the
The Security Council may investigate any dis- means indicated in that Article, they shall refer it
pute, or any situation which might lead to inter- to the Security Council.
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2. If the Security Council deems that the con- employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may
tinuance of the dispute is in fact likely to endanger call upon the Members of the United Nations to
the maintenance of international peace and se- apply such measures. These may include com-
curity, it shall decide whether to take action under plete or partial interruption of economic relations
Article 36 or to recommend such terms of settle- and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio,
ment as it may consider appropriate. and other means of communication, and the sev-
erance of diplomatic relations.
Article 38
Without prejudice to the provisions of Articles Article 42
33 to 37, the Security Council may, if all the par- Should the Security Council consider that meas-
ties to any dispute so request, make recommenda- ures provided for in Article 41 would be inade-
tions to the parties with a view to a pacific settle- quate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take
ment of the dispute. such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be
necessary to maintain or restore international
CHAPTER VH peace and security. Such action may include
demonstrations, blockade, and other operations
ACTION WITH RESPECT TO THREATS TO
by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United
THE PEACE, BREACHES OF THE PEACE,
Nations.
AND ACTS OF AGGRESSION
Article 43
Article 39 1. All Members of the United Nations, in order
The Security Council shall determine the exist- to contribute to the maintenance of international
ence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace and security, undertake to make available
peace, or act of aggression and shall make recom- to the Security Council, on its call and in accord-
mendations, or decide what measures shall be ance with a special agreement or agreements,
taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to armed forces, assistance, and facilities, including
maintain or restore international peace and se- rights of passage, necessary for the purpose of
curity. maintaining international peace and security.
Article 40 2. Such agreement or agreements shall govern
In order to prevent an aggravation of the situa- the numbers and types of forces, their degree of
tion, the Security Council may, before making the readiness and general location, and the nature of
recommendations or deciding upon the measures the facilities and assistance to be provided.
provided for in Article 39, call upon the parties 3. The agreement or agreements shall be ne-
concerned to comply with such provisional meas- gotiated as soon as possible on the initiative of the
ures as it deems necessary or desirable. Such pro- Security Council. They shall be concluded be-
visional measures shall be without prejudice to the tween the Security Council and Members or be-
rights, claims, or position of the parties concerned. tween the Security Council and groups of Members
The Security Council shall duly take account of and shall be subject to ratification by the signatory
failure to comply with such provisional measures. states in accordance with their respective constitu-
tional processes. .
Article 41 Article 44
The Security Council may decide what meas- When the Security Council has decided to use
ures not involving the use of armed force are to be force it shall, before calling upon a Member not
9
represented on. it to provide armed forces in ful- 3. The Military Staff Committee shall be re-
fillment of the obligations assumed under Article sponsible under the Security Council for the
43, invite that Member, if the Member so desires, strategic direction of any armed forces placed at
to participate in the decisions of the Security the disposal of the Security Council. Questions
Council concerning the employment of contin- relating to the command of such forces shall be
gents of that Member's armed forces. worked out subsequently.
4. The Military Staff Committee, with the
Article 45 authorization of the Security Council and after
In order to enable the United Nations to take consultation with appropriate regional agencies,
urgent military measures, Members shall hold may establish regional subcommittees.
immediately available national air-force contin-
gents for combined international enforcement ac- Article 48
tion. The strength and degree of readiness of these 1. The action required to carry out the deci-
contingents and plans for their combined action sions of the Security Council for the mainte-
shall be determined, within the limits laid down in nance of international peace and security shall be
the special agreement or agreements referred to taken by all the Members of the United Nations
in Article 43, by the Security Council with the or by some of them, as the Security Council may
assistance of the Military Staff Committee. determine.
2. Such decisions shall be carried out by the
Article 46 Members of the United Nations directly and
Plans for the application of armed force shall through their action in the appropriate interna-
be made by the Security Council with the assist- tional agencies of which they are members.
/
ance of the Military Staff Committee.
Article 49
Article 47 The Members of the United Nations shall join
1. There shall be established a Military Staff in affording mutual assistance in carrying out the
Committee to advise and assist the Security measures decided upon by the Security Council.
Council on all questions relating to the Security
Council's military requirements for the mainte- Article 50
nance of international peace and security, the em- If preventive or enforcement measures against
ployment and command of forces placed at its any state are taken by the Security Council, any
disposal, the regulation of armaments, and pos- other state, whether a Member of the United
sible disarmament. Nations or not, whichfindsitself confronted with
2. The Military Staff Committee shall consist special economic problems arising from the carry-
of the Chiefs of Staff of the permanent members ing out of those measures shall have the right to
of the Security Council or their representatives. consult the Security Council with regard to a solu-
Any Member of the United Nations not perma- tion of those problems.
nently represented on the Committee shall be in-
vited by the Committee to be associated with it Article 51
when the efficient discharge of the Committee's Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the
responsibilities requires the participation of that inherent right of individual or collective self-
Member in its work. defense if an armed attack occurs against a Mem-
10
ber of the Ünited Nations, until the Security Coun- agencies for enforcement action linder its author-
cil has taken the measures necessary to maintain ity. But no enforcement action shall be taken
international peace and security. Measures taken under regional arrangements or by regional agen-
by Members in the exercise of this right of self- cies without the authorization of the Security
defense shall be immediately reported to the Se- Council, with the exception of measures against
curity Council and shall not in any way affect the any enemy state, as defined in paragraph 2 of
authority and responsibility of the Security Coun- this Article, provided for pursuant to Article
cil under the present Charter to take at any time 107 or in regional arrangements directed against
such action as it deems necessary in order to main- renewal of aggressive policy on the part of any
tain or restore international peace and security. such state, until such time as the Organization
may, on request of the Governments concerned,
be charged with the responsibility for preventing
CHAPTER VIH further aggression by such a state.
2. The term enemy state as used in paragraph
REGIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
1 of this Article applies to any state which during
Article 52 the Second World War has been an enemy of any
1. Nothing in the present Charter precludes signatory of the present Charter.
the existence of regional arrangements or agen-
cies for dealing with such matters relating to the Article 54
maintenance of international peace and security The Security Council shall at all times be kept
as are appropriate for regional action, provided fully informed of activities undertaken or in con-
that such arrangements or agencies and their ac- templation under regional arrangements or by
tivities are consistent with the Purposes and Prin- regional agencies for the maintenance of inter-
ciples of the United Nations. national peace and security.
2. The Members of the United Nations enter-
ing into such arrangements or constituting such
agencies shall make every effort to achieve pacific CHAPTER IX
settlement of local disputes through such re-
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND
gional arrangements or by such regional agencies
SOCIAL COOPERATION
before referring them to the Security Council.
3. The Security Council shall encourage the Article 55
development of pacific settlement of local dis- With a view to the creation of conditions of
putes through such regional arrangements or by stability and well-being which are necessary for
such regional agencies either on the initiative of peaceful and friendly relations among nations
the states concerned or by reference from the based on respect for the principle of equal rights
Security Council. and self-determination of peoples, the United
4. This Article in no way impairs the applica- Nations shall promote:
tion of Articles 3 4 and 35. a. higher standards of living, full employ-
ment, and conditions of economic and social
Article 53 progress and development;
1. The Security Council shall, where appro- b. solutions of international economic, so-
priate, utilize such regional arrangements or cial, health, and related problems; and inter-
11
national cultural and educational cooperation; the Economic and Social Council, which shall
and have for this purpose the powers set forth in
c. universal respect for, and observance of, Chapter X.
human rights and fundamental freedoms for
all without distinction as to race, sex, language,
or religion. CHAPTER X
Article 56
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
All Members pledge themselves to take joint
and separate action in cooperation with the Or- Composition
ganization for the achievement of the purposes set Article 61
forth in Article 55. 1. The Economic and Social Council shall con-
sist of eighteen Members of the United Nations
Article 57 elected by the General Assembly.
1. The various specialized agencies, estab- 2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3,
lished by intergovernmental agreement and hav- six members of the Economic and Social Council
ing wide international responsibilities, as defined shall be elected each year for a term of three years.
in their basic instruments, in economic, social, A retiring member shall be eligible for immediate
cultural, educational, health, and related fields, re-election.
shall be brought into relationship with the United 3. At the first election, eighteen members of
Nations in accordance with the provisions of the Economic and Social Council shall be chosen.
Article 63. The term of office of six members so chosen shall
2. Such agencies thus brought into relation- expire at the end of one year, and of six other
ship with the United Nations are hereinafter re- members at the end of two years, in accordance
ferred to as specialized agencies. with arrangements made by the General Assembly.
4. Each member of the Economic and Social
Article 58 Council shall have one representative.
The Organization shall make recommendations
for the coordination of the policies and activities Functions and Powers
of the specialized agencies. Article 62
1. The Economic and Social Council may make
Article 59 or initiate studies and reports with respect to inter-
The Organization shall, where appropriate, national economic, social, cultural, educational,
initiate negotiations among the states concerned health, and related matters and may make recom-
for the creation of any new specialized agencies mendations with respect to any such matters to the
required for the accomplishment of the purposes General Assembly, to the Members of the United
set forth in Article 55. Nations, and to the specialized agencies concerned.
2. It may make recommendations for the pur-
Article 60 pose of promoting respect for, and observance of,
Responsibility for the discharge of the func- human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
tions of the Organization set forth in this Chap- 3. It may prepare draft conventions for sub-
ter shall be vested in the General Assembly and, mission to the General Assembly, with respect to
under the authority of the General Assembly, in matters falling within its competence.
12
4. It may call, in accordance with the rules Assembly, perform services at the request of
prescribed by the United Nations, international Members of the United Nations and at the request
conferences on matters falling within its com- of specialized agencies.
petence. 3. It shall perform such other functions as are
Article 63 specified elsewhere in the present Charter or as
1. The Economic and Social Council may en- may be assigned to it by the General Assembly.
ter into agreements with any of the agencies re-
ferred to in Article 57, defining the terms on Voting
which the agency concerned shall be brought into Article 67
relationship with the United Nations. Such agree- 1. Each member of the Economic and Social
ments shall be subject to approval by the Gen- Council shall have one vote.
eral Assembly. 2. Decisions of the Economic and Social Coun-
2. It may coordinate the activities of the spe- cil shall be made by a majority of the members
cialized agencies through consultation with and present and voting.
recommendations to such agencies and through
recommendations to the General Assembly and to Procedure
the Members of the United Nations. Article 68
The Economic and Social Council shall set up
Article 64 commissions in economic and socialfieldsand for
1. The Economic and Social Council may the promotion of human rights, and such other
take appropriate steps to obtain regular reports commissions as may be required for the perform-
from the specialized agencies. It may make ar- ance of its functions.
rangements with the Members of the United
Nations and with the specialized agencies to obtain Article 69
reports on the steps taken to give effect to its own The Economic and Social Council shall invite
recommendations and to recommendations on any Member of the United Nations to participate,
matters falling within its competence made by withouti vote, in its deliberations on any matter
the General Assembly. of particular concern to that Member.
2. It may communicate its observations on
these reports to the General Assembly. Article 70
The Economic and Social Council may make
Article 65 arrangements for representatives of the special-
The Economic and Social Council may furnish ized agencies to participate, without vote, in its
information to the Security Council and shall deliberations and in those of the commissions
assist the Security Council upon its request. established by it, and for its representatives to
participate in the deliberations of the specialized
Article 66 agencies.
1. The Economic and Social Council shall per- Article 71
form such functions as fall within its competence The Economic and Social Council may make
in connection with the carrying out of the recom- suitable arrangements for consultation with non-
mendations of the General Assembly. governmental organizations which are concerned
2. It may, with the approval of the General with matters within its competence. Such arrange-
13
ments may be made with international organiza- c. to further international peace and se-
tions and, where appropriate, with national or- curity;
ganizations after consultation with the Member d. to promote constructive measures of de-
of the United Nations concerned. velopment, to encourage research, and to co-
operate with one another and, when and where
Article 72 appropriate, with specialized international bod-
1. The Economic and Social Council shall ies with a view to the practical achievement of
adopt its own rules of procedure, including the the social, economic, and scientific purposes
method of selecting its President. set forth in this Article; and
2. The Economic and Social Council shall meet e. to transmit regularly to the Secretary-
as required in accordance with its rules, which General for information purposes, subject to
shall include provision for the convening of meet- such limitation as security and constitutional
ings on the request of a majority of its members. considerations may require, statistical and other
information of a technical nature relating to
CHAPTER XI economic, social, and educational conditions in
14
in accordance with the Purposes of the United will be brought under the trusteeship system and
Nations laid down in Article 1 of the present Char- upon what terms.
ter, shall be:
a. to further international peace and se- Article 78
curity; The trusteeship system shall not apply to terri-
b. to promote the political, economic, social, tories which have become Members of the United
and educational advancement of the inhabitants Nations, relationship among which shall be based
of the trust territories, and their progressive on respect for the principle of sovereign equality.
development towards self-government or inde-
pendence as may be appropriate to the par- Article 79
ticular circumstances of each territory and its The terms of trusteeship for each territory to
peoples and the freely expressed wishes of the be placed under the trusteeship system, including
peoples concerned, and as may be provided by any alteration or amendment, shall be agreed upon
the terms of each trusteeship agreement; by the states directly concerned, including the
c. to encourage respect for human rights mandatory power in the case of territories held
and for fundamental freedoms for all without under mandate by a Member of the United Na-
distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, tions, and shall be approved as provided for in
and to encourage recognition of the interde- Articles 83 and 85.
pendence of the peoples of the world; and
d. to ensure equal treatment in social, eco- Article 80
nomic, and commercial matters for all Members 1. Except as may be agreed upon in individual
of the United Nations and their nationals, and trusteeship agreements, made under Articles 77,
also equal treatment for the latter in the ad- 79, and 81, placing each territory under the trus-
ministration of justice, without prejudice to the teeship system, and until such agreements have
attainment of the foregoing objectives and sub- been concluded, nothing in this Chapter shall be
ject to the provisions of Article 80. construed in or of itself to alter in any manner
therightswhatsoever of any states or any peoples
or the terms of existing international instruments
Article 77 to which Members of the United Nations may re-
1. The trusteeship system shall apply to spectively be parties.
such territories in the following categories as may 2. Paragraph 1 of this Article shall not be in-
be placed thereunder by means of trusteeship terpreted as giving grounds for delay or postpone-
agreements: ment of the negotiation and conclusion of agree-
a. territories now held under mandate; ments for placing mandated and other territories
b. territories which may be detached from under the trusteeship system as provided for in
enemy states as a result of the Second World Article 77.
War; and Article 81
c. territories voluntarily placed under the The trusteeship agreement shall in each case
system by states responsible for their admin- include the terms under which the trust territory
istration. will be administered and designate the authority
2. It will be a matter for subsequent agreement which will exercise the administration of the trust
as to which territories in the foregoing categories territory. Such authority, hereinafter called the
15
administering authority, may be one or more regard to trusteeship agreements for all areas not
states or the Organization itself. designated as strategic, including the approval of
the terms of the trusteeship agreements and of
Article 82 , their alteration or amendment, shall be exercised
There may be designated, in any trusteeship by the General Assembly.
agreement, a strategic area or areas which may 2. The Trusteeship Council, operating under
include part or all of the trust territory to which the authority of the General Assembly, shall assist
the agreement applies, without prejudice to any the General Assembly in carrying out these
special agreement or agreements made under functions.
Article 43.
Article 83
1. All functions of the United Nations relating CHAPTER XIII
to strategic areas, including the approval of the
THE TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
terms of the trusteeship agreements and of their
alteration or amendment, shall be exercised by the Composition
Security Council. Article 86
2. The basic objectives set forth in Article 76 1. The Trusteeship Council shall consist of
shall be applicable to the people of each strategic the following Members of the United Nations :
area. a. those Members administering trust ter-
3. The Security Council shall, subject to the ritories;
provisions of the trusteeship agreements and with- b. such of those Members mentioned by
out prejudice to security considerations, avail name in Article 23 as are not administering
itself of the assistance of the Trusteeship Council trust territories; and
to perform those functions of the United Nations c. as many other Members elected for three-
under the trusteeship system relating to political, year terms by the General Assembly as may be
economic, social, and educational matters in the necessary to ensure that the total number of
strategic areas. members of the Trusteeship Council is equally
divided between those Members of the United
Article 84 Nations which administer trust territories and
It shall be the duty of the administering author- those which do not.
ity to ensure that the trust territory shall play its 2. Each member of the Trusteeship Council
part in the maintenance of international peace and shall designate one specially qualified person to
security. To this end the administering authority represent it therein.
may make use of volunteer forces, facilities, and
assistance from the trust territory in carrying out
Functions and Powers
the obligations towards the Security Council un-
dertaken in this regard by the administering au- Article 87
thority, as well as for local defense and the main- The General Assembly and, under its author-
tenance of law and order within the trust territory. ity, the Trusteeship Council, in carrying out their
functions, may:
Article 85 a. consider reports submitted by the admin-
1. The functions of the United Nations with istering authority;
16
b. accept petitions and examine them in CHAPTER XIV
consultation with the administering authority; THE INTERNATIONAL COURT
c. provide for periodic visits to the respec- OF JUSTICE
tive trust territories at times agreed upon with
the administering authority; and Article 92
d. take these and other actions in conformity The International Court of Justice shall be the
with the terms of the trusteeship agreements. principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
It shall function in accordance with the annexed
Article 88 Statute, which is based upon the Statute of the
The Trusteeship Council shall formulate a Permanent Court of International Justice and
questionnaire on the political, economic, social, forms an integral part of the present Charter.
and educational advancement of the inhabitants
of each trust territory, and the administering Article 93
authority for each trust territory within the com- 1. All Members of the United Nations are ipso
petence of the General Assembly shall make an facto parties to the Statute of the International
annual report to the General Assembly upon the Court of Justice.
basis of such questionnaire. 2. A state which is not a Member of the United
Nations may become a party to the Statute of
Voting the International Court of Justice on conditions
Article 89 to be determined in each case by the General
1. Each member of the Trusteeship Council Assembly upon the recommendation of the Secu-
shall have one vote. rity Council.
2. Decisions of the Trusteeship Council shall
be made by a majority of the members present and Article 94
voting. 1. Each Member of the United Nations under-
takes to comply with the decision of the Inter-
Procedure national Court of Justice in any case to which it is
Article 90 a party.
1. The Trusteeship Council shall adopt its own 2. If any party to a case fails to perform the
rules of procedure, including the method of select- obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment
ing its President. rendered by the Court, the other party may have
2. The Trusteeship Council shall meet as re- recourse to the Security Council, which may, if it
quired in accordance with its rules, which shall deems necessary, make recommendations or de-
include provision for the convening of meetings cide upon measures to be taken to give effect to
on the request of a majority of its members. the judgment.
Article 91 Article 95
The Trusteeship Council shall, when appropri- Nothing in the present Charter shall prevent
ate, avail itself of the assistance of the Economic Members of the United Nations from entrusting
and Social Council and of the specialized agencies the solution of their differences to other tribunals
in regard to matters with which they are respec- by virtue of agreements already in existence or
tively concerned. which may be concluded in the future.
17
Article 96 tary-General and the staff shall not seek or receive
1. The General Assembly or the Security instructions from any government or from any
Council may request the International Court of other authority external to the Organization.
Justice to give an advisory opinion on any legal They shall refrain from any action which might
question. reflect on their position as international officials
2. Other organs of the United Nations and responsible only to the Organization.
specialized agencies, which may at any time be 2. Each Member of the United Nations under-
so authorized by the General Assembly, may also takes to respect the exclusively international
request advisory opinions of the Court on legal character of the responsibilities of the Secretary-
questions arising within the scope of their activ- General and the staff and not to seek to influence
ities. them in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Article 101
CHAPTER XV 1. The staff shall be appointed by the Secre-
tary-General under regulations established by the
THE SECRETARIAT
General Assembly.
Article 97 2. Appropriate staffs shall be permanently
The Secretariat shall comprise a Secretary- assigned to the Economic and Social Council, the
General and such staff as the Organization may Trusteeship Council, and, as required, to other
require. The Secretary-General shall be ap- organs of the United Nations. These staffs shall
pointed by the General Assembly upon the recom- form a part of the Secretariat.
mendation of the Security Council. He shall be 3. The paramount consideration in the em-
the chief administrative officer of the Organization. ployment of the staff and in the determination of
the conditions of service shall be the necessity of
Article 98 securing the highest standards of efficiency, com-
The Secretary-General shall act in that capacity petence, and integrity. Due regard shall be paid
in all meetings of the General Assembly, of the to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide
Security Council, of the Economic and Social a geographical basis as possible.
Council, and of the Trusteeship Council, and shall
perform such other functions as are entrusted to
him by these organs. The Secretary-General shall CHAPTER XVI
make an annual report to the General Assembly
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
on the work of the Organization.
Article 102
Article 99 1. Every treaty and every international agree-
The Secretary-General may bring to the atten- ment entered into by any Member of the United
tion of the Security Council any matter which in Nations after the present Charter comes into force
his opinion may threaten the maintenance of in- shall as soon as possible be registered with the
ternational peace and security. Secretariat and published by it.
2. No party to any such treaty or international
Article 100 agreement which has not been registered in ac-
1. In the performance of their duties the Secre- cordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of
18