What is a Veto? Know who can use it and how it works?

Recently, Russia Vetoed a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Ukraine. With this, Russia prevents itself from the harsh effects of this resolution. But, do you know what Veto is and how it works? Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council often use this power to make different resolutions of UNSC ineffective.

The fact is that Veto is a power of the negative vote and the main difference between permanent and non-permanent members of UNSC. The procedure of using the Veto power is mentioned in Article 27 of the United Nations Charter. Go through this post to understand what veto is and how it is used.

What is a Veto Power and who can use it?

As mentioned earlier, Veto power is the most significant difference between a permanent and non-permanent member of the UNSC (United Nations Security Council). Go through the following points to understand various aspects of this power.

Get Articles,Exam Updates through e-mail, by entering your details below.
  • UN Security Council is the most powerful international body. It consists of five permanent members also known as P5 i.e. USA, Russia, UK, France, and China.
  • Apart from the permanent members, UNSC also has 10 non-permanent members. Currently, these members are India, Ireland, Estonia, Niger, Mexico, Tunisia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Norway, and Vietnam.
  • According to article 27 of the United Nations Charter, all decisions of the United Nations Security Council should be taken as per the concurring votes of the permanent members.
  • The permanent members of the UNSC have the power to veto any resolution to defend their national interest. After using Veto that resolution becomes null and void. So, you should note that the following five countries have the power to veto a UNSC resolution – the USA, Russia, the UK, France, and China.

Point to remember – Many a time, countries present a resolution in the UNSC even though they are aware that it would be voted. This is done to show moral support to that resolution. For example – US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield sponsored a resolution against Russian action against Ukraine knowing that Russia will veto it. The statement she made while presenting this resolution is “You cannot veto the truth. You cannot veto our principles. You cannot veto the Ukrainian people. You cannot veto the UN charter.”

Use of Veto Power so far

All five permanent members of the UNSC have used Veto power multiple times to save their national interest. Soviet Union (Presently Russia) is the first country that used Veto power on 16th February 1946 to block a resolution to withdraw foreign troops from Lebanon and Syria. Let’s take a look at which country has used the Veto power the most times.

Name of the country Number of Vetoes used
Russia/ USSR 120 times
United States 82 times
United Kingdom 29 times
China (Republic of China (ROC)/ Peoples Republic of China (PRC)) 16 times
France 16 times

Analysis of Veto Power used by different countries

United States of America (USA)

  • US Ambassador Charles W. Yost used the veto power for the first time on behalf of the US in 1970 over Rhodesia.
  • The USA also used Veto in the year 1972 to block resolution the condemn Israel for war against Arab Nations.
  • Trump administration again used Veto power to block a resolution against Israel.

China (ROC/ PRC)

  • China used the Veto power for the first time on 25th August 1972 to block Bangladesh’s admission to the United Nations.
  • It is often observed that China often abstain from voting rather than Vetoing resolutions. In fact, China abstains from 30% of Security Council Resolutions between 1971 and 1976.
  • Apart from this, China combined with Russia double vetoed many resolutions.
  • China hasn’t cast a lone Veto since 1999.

Soviet Union/ Russia

  • When United Nations was created, the Soviet Union was responsible for almost all vetos.
  • Soviet ambassador Andrei Gromyko got a nickname called “Mr. Nyet” due to frequent use of the Veto Power.
  • The Soviet Union also helped India when it vetoes the resolution condemning Indian action against Pakistan in the year 1971
  • After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russian Federation got the Veto power.

France

  • France used Veto power unilaterally only once when it vetoed the draft of a resolution in 1976 related to the independence of Comoros.
  • Apart from this, France used Veto power along with the UK to stop Israel army action against Egypt in the year 1956 during Suez Crisis.
  • France hasn’t used its Veto power since 1989 when it joined the United States.

United Kingdom

  •  UK has used its Veto Power at UNSC 32 times.
  • The first time, the UK used its Veto Power was in October 1956 when it Vetoed a letter from the US to the President of the Security Council concerning Palestine.
  • In addition to this, the UK used Veto power at the time of Suez Canal Crisis.

Criticism of Veto Power

The Veto power is often criticized by many experts. According to them, this power is undemocratic in nature. A single country has the power to prevent the majority of UNSC from taking any kind of action. There are many examples in which a lone country stopped UNSC from taking action. Some of these examples are as follows.

  • The US excercised veto power to stop resolutions criticizing Israel.
  • Russia vetoed a resolution condemning its action when annexed Crimea.
Share This Information

For Latest Updates Please Subscribe our Telegram Channel: Here

Leave a Comment