Questions tagged [united-nations]
For questions on The United Nations, an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace.
243
questions
10
votes
5
answers
3k
views
What would be the advantage of launching an UN-led inquiry over the Nord Stream sabotage?
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow was presenting a request for an independent investigation in light of doubts about the integrity and transparency of Denmark, Germany and Sweden in ...
- 14.5k
21
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Why did Ukraine abstain from the UNHRC vote on China?
After reading the answers to this question, I noticed something odd: Ukraine appears to have abstained in the recent vote over China's policy towards the Uyghurs.
However, given the context of the ...
- 3,967
13
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"?
From the Wikipedia article on Small Island Developing States, I was surprised to find Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau. None of those are on islands. Why are they included in this category?
(One ...
- 46.9k
19
votes
12
answers
8k
views
Why are non-Western countries siding with China in the UN?
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/un-body-rejects-historic-debate-chinas-human-rights-record-2022-10-06/
The U.N. rights council on Thursday voted down a Western-led motion to
hold a debate about ...
- 14.5k
3
votes
1
answer
230
views
The Pitcairn Islands (pop. 50) are on the UN list of non-self governing nations. Does the UN have a proposal for the ultimate status of that "nation"?
The Pitcairns Islands are listed on the UN list of non-self governing territories. Unlike all the other entries which might theoretically function as an independent state, the Pitcairn Islands have a ...
- 48.6k
4
votes
0
answers
104
views
Why were the UN Sustainable Goals created?
So far, very few to none of the Sustainable Goals have been achieved. What led to the creation of the SDGs, and were they actually expected to be achieved?
- 135
1
vote
1
answer
104
views
What privileges do non-member observers of the United Nations have?
It seems like they generally aren't allowed to vote on various issues, but they can voice their opinion on various issues if they please. Do they have any major powers in UN decision-making?
WhyDenounce
3
votes
2
answers
262
views
(2014?) Proposal of an alternative referendum form in Crimea and Donbass under the supervision of the UN / OSCE
I'm trying to find out if there were (official) proposals* to hold alternative forms of referendums in the two areas. I know that the UN and OSCE have criticized and not recognized the referenda that ...
- 155
12
votes
8
answers
3k
views
What are the possible mechanisms of security guarantees for Ukraine?
My question is based on this post by Radio Free Europe.
In a nutshell, there was a peace plan suggested that includes security guarantees for Ukraine. What are some reasonable mechanisms for such ...
- 1,131
8
votes
1
answer
234
views
What determines the order of the flags at the UN headquarters in Geneva?
Outside the UN headquarters in Geneva, the flags of the member states are flown in the 'Allée des Drapeaux'. However, looking at photos of the flags, they never appear to be flown in the same order.
...
CDJB♦
- 96.1k
13
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Why did most Western countries vote against the UN proposed resolution “Towards a New International Economic Order”?
The Assembly adopted the resolution “Towards a New International
Economic Order” by a recorded vote of 123 in favour to 50 against with
1 abstention (Türkiye). By its terms, the Assembly expressed ...
- 14.5k
1
vote
1
answer
115
views
Is there a list of which country has how many (UN-designated) terrorists / terrorist entities
Recently, India's statement on Pakistan said:
No other country can boast having 126 UN-designated terrorists and 27 UN-designated terrorist entities
Is this correct?
Is there a list of which ...
- 3,333
9
votes
1
answer
642
views
Making sense of a vote about Israel and nuclear weapons at the UNGA
Israel must get rid of its nuclear weapons, UNGA majority decides
Why did this voting take place? Did Egypt submit proof of Israel having nuclear weapons before proposing this vote?
Why voted ...
- 13.5k
2
votes
0
answers
76
views
Provisions for a UN security council expansion [duplicate]
When the UN was started way back in 1945 did the charter provide for reforms or was it envisioning itself as a long term exclusive club? Or were there some provisions to expand membership from time ...
- 197
-7
votes
1
answer
224
views
Why is Empowering Women considered important by the UN? [closed]
I have some doubts about women empowerment, let's take 1 example to illustrate the problem:
a group of women organized a free computer programming class or lesson ONLY for women, by the intention to ...
- 119
40
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Why did The Bahamas vote against the UN resolution for Ukraine reparations?
The United Nations General Assembly voted on 2022-11-14 to hold Russia responsible for war reparations.
Tally
94
For
14
Against
73
Abstain
The "For" and "Abstain" votes are ...
- 2,876
0
votes
3
answers
532
views
What benefits would the U.S. gain from voting against A/HRC/51/L.28 Rev.1?
https://twitter.com/UN_HRC/status/1578407316583497729
#HRC51 | Draft resolution A/HRC/51/L.28 Rev.1: “From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against #racism, racial
...
- 14.5k
-3
votes
2
answers
317
views
What is the implicit meaning of abstaining from voting at the UN? [closed]
Recently, India abstained from voting against China regarding the Uyghur persecution question.
What does it imply when a country abstains from voting at any of the UN councils?
In the case of the UNSC,...
- 13.5k
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What was the exact vote of the UN Human Rights Council on Xinjiang?
There just was a vote in the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council, and it is really easy to find quotes like this:
The 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council has rejected a resolution to hold a debate ...
- 2,467
-1
votes
1
answer
285
views
What are the difficulties of replacing the UN with a new, similar organization but without veto powers?
The UN Security Council can not act against Russia as they use their veto on any resolution against their invasion. It seems obvious that we need a reformation of the council so no country can block ...
- 27
0
votes
0
answers
54
views
What % of coups has the UNGA condemned and how long does it typically take for the UNGA to condemn a coup after it happens?
For example (quoting the NYT from 18/06/2021) the UNGA condemned the Myanmar coup approximately 5 months after it happened
“A system built on brutality and bloodshed will not survive. It’s not too ...
- 125k
5
votes
1
answer
885
views
If one country doesn't recognize another's existence, does the UN charter prohibit anything short of crimes against humanity in their "relations"?
Israel and some Muslim countries (e.g. Syria) have been engaged in a "forever war". Quoting from Wikipedia:
[T]he State of Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic [...] have been locked in a ...
- 125k
0
votes
0
answers
37
views
How many major intergovernmental organizations are there?
By 'major' I mean organizations that have more than half of the total number of UN states participating and/or all five of the permanent members.
By intergovernmental organization, I mean any body ...
- 1,056
2
votes
2
answers
268
views
What is the position of the United Nations on state mergers?
In general, the trend in recent years has been toward countries splitting into smaller independent entities. However, the opposite is also possible. For instance, suppose that tomorrow the European ...
- 13.2k
19
votes
11
answers
6k
views
Is there a political solution to climate change without some kind of world government
A conservative opposition to anti Global Warming policy is that it will lead to a "One World Government". This is often derided as a conspiracy theory.
Here is a thought experiment:
If my ...
- 1,067
3
votes
1
answer
408
views
Are international organizations becoming less democratic?
The countries in the world are becoming more and more democratic. Are international organizations like the UN and IMF becoming less democratic? If yes, why?
6
votes
2
answers
439
views
Weighted voting in the UN
Is any voting in the UN ever weighted against the population, contribution or consequences?
I understand that some countries have a better footing due to historical reasons. However, just to name some ...
- 2,312
6
votes
1
answer
472
views
Is there any truth to Russia's claim at the United Nations that there have been food embargos against the Donbass by Ukraine?
For eight years, the people of the Donbas region have been subject to economic, transport and food embargos, the elderly and children were forced to hide from shelling and tens of thousands of ...
- 4,337
-4
votes
3
answers
266
views
Is armament considered an aggression in international law? [closed]
I have read many articles claiming the armament of Ukraine or other post-Soviet states to consist an act of aggression vs. Russia.
However the UN charta gives the following definition of aggression:
&...
- 467
8
votes
1
answer
682
views
Are there benefits except moral support for the victim country to approach ICJ when the offender is a UNSC Permanent member?
I am having some trouble understanding the present relevance of ICJ in matters of war between two countries when at least one of them is a permanent member of UNSC. Indeed, cases of 2 permanent ...
- 2,285
24
votes
4
answers
7k
views
On what grounds did Vladimir Putin invoke Article 51 of the UN Charter for self defence while going into Ukraine?
In his announcement (at 20:02) of the special military operations, Vladimir Putin invoked article 51 of the UN charter, justifying these operations as self-defence. However, since Russia was never ...
- 4,337
1
vote
1
answer
200
views
Are families with trans teens who leave Texas counted as Internally Displaced Persons?
Internally displaced persons are defined as,
"Persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a ...
- 239
2
votes
2
answers
154
views
What troops does the United Nations use to enforce a no-fly zone?
The United Nations Security Council has in the past declared no-fly zones over conflict regions.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2011/sc10200.doc.htm
But, what troops does the UN use to enforce this given ...
- 4,337
38
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What reasoning did Eritrea provide for its vote on the UN resolution against the war in Ukraine?
In the recent UN General Assembly resolution denouncing Russia's actions in Ukraine, only four countries were opposed, besides Russia itself.
We have Belarus, a close ally of Russia that is involved ...
- 13.2k
24
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why has India abstained on the UNSC resolution on Russia in Ukraine?
Why has India abstained on the UN Security Council resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
EDIT:
The Finantial Times published India sticks with Russia after Vladimir Putin’s invasion ...
- 481
29
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Was it advantageous for Russia to invade while holding the presidency of UN Security Council?
The Russian Federation is the current president of the UN Security Council. During the emergency UN security meeting, Ukraine asked that Russia give up their title in light of the recent attack.
Did ...
- 401
-4
votes
1
answer
165
views
What institutions are currently in place to prevent authoritarian militarism?
Russia invaded Crimea in 2014 without any real consequences as evidenced by their ability to pull this stunt again now. Maybe tomorrow China annexes Taiwan, Serbia annexes Bosnia etc.
Do we have ...
- 1,483
10
votes
3
answers
646
views
Legal basis for self-determination vs. territorial integrity
There are many examples where self-determination means secession of a territory from a state, typically opposed by the latter. The most obvious recent example are the eastern regions of the Ukraine, ...
- 9,498
-1
votes
1
answer
135
views
Solutions to the problem of the US's strong offensive capabilities incentivising potential adversaries to create 'buffers'?
The US has great reach with very destructive conventional weapons, particularly aircraft carriers and their entourage, which can sit off an enemy coastline and pummel a large landmass indefinitely.
...
- 2,061
2
votes
1
answer
176
views
Which countries or territories are not parties to the UNFCCC?
According to Wikipedia's list of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:
As of 2015, the UNFCCC has 197 parties including all United Nations member states, United ...
- 1,765
4
votes
1
answer
204
views
Penal labour in United States
Penal labour is banned in most if not all of the United Kingdom. Perhaps because of
No prisoner shall be employed, in the service of the institution, in any disciplinary capacity
https://www.ohchr....
- 2,285
10
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Who defines which countries are permanent members of UN Security Council?
The P5+1 refers to the UN Security Council's five permanent members (the P5); namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; plus Germany.
Here on Wikipedia it says that ...
user39855
2
votes
1
answer
138
views
How many people are no longer registered refugees with UNRWA?
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The number of registered refugees on UNRWA's books has continuously risen1:
Year
Refugees
1949
726,000
...
- 327
5
votes
2
answers
276
views
Can the United Nations security council deploy forces in areas of conflict without consent from a rebel group?
On a United Nations site for, DEPLOYING PEACEKEEPERS, it said that
As a conflict develops, worsens, or approaches resolution, the UN is frequently involved in a number of consultations to determine ...
- 4,337
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Why did China and Russia abstain on the UN security council resolution 2593 on the situation in Afghanistan?
The United Nations security council passed resolution 2593 (2021) on the 30th of August, 2021 with a vote of 13 in favour and 2 abstentions. Why did China and the Russian Federation abstain on this ...
- 4,337
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How did the UN (or at least the member states which were involved in this decision) motivate the rejection of the Gibraltar referenda?
Wikipedia says:
Gibraltar is largely a self-governing British territory on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula with a population of about 30,000 people, whose territory is claimed by Spain. It continues ...
- 125k
3
votes
0
answers
115
views
What are the consequences for Iraq if it chooses to not repay the amount of war reparation owed?
After the Gulf War, Iraq accepted United Nations Security Council
Resolution 687, which declared Iraq's financial liability for damage
caused in its invasion of Kuwait.[17] The United Nations ...
- 14.5k
1
vote
1
answer
198
views
Is there any legal consequence in infringing a U.N. resolution?
Is there any legal consequence in infringing a U.N. resolution? Let's say a U.N. resolution passes, but a country decides to infringe that resolution. What would be the likely consequences of such an ...
- 14.5k
5
votes
3
answers
218
views
How binding are International Tribunal decisions on nations? Can the International Tribunal supercede the law of a nation or force it to abide?
I was reading the UN Security Council's Resolution 827, formally establishing the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and came across the following clause,
"Decides that ...
- 4,337
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Where can I find a copy of Iran's proposal pertaining to Palestine to U.N. Security Council on November 1, 2019?
From the official Khamenei.ir's "Which final solution?"
It appears that the uproar and the responses of the American and Zionist authorities and their mercenaries are for the most part ...
- 2,710