Mr. President,
I thank you for convening today’s important debate on the ‘Use of Veto’ under Agenda item 63. This is important in the context of the ongoing serious polarization in the Council, resulting into unfortunate stalemate on a number of issues that are major threats to international peace and security.
Bangladesh continues to reiterate that the General Assembly, as the most representative, inclusive, and democratic organ of the United Nations, embodies international solidarity and serves as the cornerstone of multilateralism. Its work better reflects the will of the world’s peoples than any other principal organ of the United Nations, including the Security Council.
Mr. President,
We believe that it is important for the Security Council to be held accountable by the General Assembly. Article 24.1 of the UN Charter makes it clear that “Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and agree that, in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf”. Therefore, accountability of the Council to the general membership is an implicit logical expectation.
As the custodian of international peace and security, the permanent members of the Council have been endowed with the privilege of using veto; however, this privilege comes with great responsibility. We also need to realize the fact that the geo-political realities of the world have substantially changed in comparing to the post-World War 2 era when the UN was established. Indeed, the composition of the Council and its work method, including the veto power only by five permanent members, do not commensurate with the changing global political and economic dynamics of today. Veto should not be used to disable the Council from taking important decisions, including the inclusion of new member states. Recently we have noticed that the will of the overwhelming majority of member states to accept Palestine as a full member state of the UN has been nullified by the veto in the Security Council. Veto should also not be used to shield the violators of UN Charter and international norms, practice and law. We have recently witnessed, on repeated occasions, how the demand of immediate ceasefire in Gaza could not be agreed due to unjustified use of the veto in the Council, owing to which the brutal onslaught perpetrated against the Palestinians has only continued unabated resulting in the killing of more than 35,000 civilians 70% whom are women and girls, starving millions, obstructing humanitarian assistance, destructing houses, schools, hospitals, mosques en masse.
The veto and its undemocratic nature run against the very principles that the United Nations was built upon. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a continuing, inclusive and in-depth dialogue among the member states on the question of veto. Bangladesh I ready to join consensus that emerges on this question. Pending that, we call for its judicious application of the veto so long as it exists, by limiting its application for certain compelling situations such as, to prevent genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and grave violations of international law.
Mr. President,
My delegation welcomes the UNGA Resolution 76/262 on a “Standing mandate for a General Assembly debate when a veto is cast in the Security Council”, which indeed signifies a step forward for accountability within the UN system in order to address the issue of balance of power among the principal organs of the organization, particularly between the General Assembly and the Security Council. Indeed, the adoption of this resolution has, to some extent, strengthened the role of the General Assembly. This might discourage, at least in some cases, the excessive or unjustified use of the veto in the Security Council, and also contribute to create public awareness in the matter. Furthermore, the initiative might hopefully promote a culture of dialogue, transparency, and cooperation between the General Assembly and the Security Council; ultimately leading to increased caution in the application of the veto.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by reaffirming that Bangladesh would continue to work constructively with other Member States, including through the Intergovernmental Negotiations, on the Security Council reform. We believe that this process would eventually contribute positively towards improving the United Nations system to make it more efficient, transparent, inclusive, and, most importantly, credible; and, in preserving its member-state-driven nature in the context of the 21st century. Honest and frank discourse and subsequent consensus-based actions can only take us towards such positive direction.
I thank you.