In particular, an understanding needs to be reached on the definition of mass atrocities: the 2005 World Summit declaration and many international conventions, including the 1948 Convention on Genocide and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, may provide a starting-point. The criteria for activating self-regulation still need to be defined by the permanent members of the Security Council, with whom we have entered into detailed discussions. What criteria would be used to regulate use of the veto? Proposed by the President of the Republic in 2013, regulation of use of the s would mean that the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Russia) would voluntarily and collectively undertake not to use the veto where a mass atrocity has been ascertained.īeing a voluntary measure, it would not require a revision of the United Nations Charter. The right to veto was granted to the five permanent members to foster cooperation among them to enable the United Nations to prevent and resolve international conflicts, ensure effective compliance with international law and protect civilian populations. It carries with it duties and a special responsibility granted by the Charter of the United Nations. In order not to merely accept paralysis in the Security Council when mass atrocities are committed.īecause France is convinced that the veto should not and cannot be a privilege. Security Council decisions are adopted if nine members vote in favour, provided that none of the permanent members (China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Russia) votes against. Provision for a veto was made when the United Nations was created, in Article 27 of the United Nations Charter. What is the veto in the United Nations Security Council?

United Nations Security Council (Photo: UN) 1.

P5 countries