Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

International law, according to the rich and powerful

By Stephen Cheleda - posted Tuesday, 8 April 2008


Therefore, perhaps we should stress this aspect of insecurity around the world, rather than let the major powers foist on us a “war on terror”.

Regarding the reform of the United Nations, there has been unease about the veto powers of the Permanent Five in the Security Council since the inception of the UN in 1945. It was the USSR (under Stalin’s rule) that insisted on the veto in order to safeguard itself against, what it perceived as the possibility of a majority of states ganging up against it in the Security Council. It was either the veto, or no agreement about the Charter. The USA and the other major powers acquiesced to the idea of the veto, and saw it as advantageous (to them). The other countries taking part in the negotiations at San Francisco were less certain of the merits of the veto.

Brian Urquhart, (who was Under Secretary General of the UN from 1974 to 1986), and Erskine Childers (who was a UN civil servant for 22 years, and Senior Advisor to the UN Director General for Development) wrote extensively and with deep knowledge about the need for a more effective United Nations, hence, a more effective international law.

Advertisement

Though these data are well known among academics and leading statesmen, they have not yet percolated to the public domain to the extent that they may become the catalyst for radical change in the way international law is implemented.

As a first step, people should insist that their representative to the United Nations is answerable to their elected legislature, with regular reports available to every citizen. Until more people become aware of how international law is managed by the super-powers, and realise what they can do to alter the situation, then the UN is unlikely to be reformed to be in tune with the wishes of all the member states.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Stephen Cheleda was born in Budapest in 1938 and has lived in the UK since December 1956. After working in industry, he became a teacher of Mathematics in 1971. Stephen did an MA in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford. He retired in 2003.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Stephen Cheleda

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy