Sushma Swaraj criticizes UN; calls it ineffective and asks for reforms
UNITED NATIONS: Minister for external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, on Thursday criticized the United Nations for being ineffective in preventing some of the crisis around the world. She was speaking at the UN General Assembly.
While the minister acknowledged some of the successes of the UN, she harsh on some others. “UN has been successful in preventing a third world war, in assisting decolonization and dismantling apartheid, in combating global epidemics, reducing global hunger and in promiting democracy and human rights,” she said. She then went on to some of things the organization has not been able to achieve.
“When we ask ourselves whether we have been able to prevent conflicts taking place in several parts of the world, the answer is no. If we ask whether we were able to find permanent solution to these conflicts, the answer is no. If we ask whether we were able to show the path of peace to a world which is going on the way of violence, the answer is no,” she said. “It has failed to effectively address the new challenges to international peace and security,” she added.
Adding to the clamour for India’s permanent seat at the UN Security Council, she said its high time the UN reforms. “If we are to preserve the centrality and legitimacy of the UN as the custodian of global peace, security and development, the reform of the Security Council is its most urgent and pressing need. This is the need of the hour. How can we have a Security Council in 2015 which still reflects the geo-political architecture of 1945? How can we have a Security Council which still does not give place as a permanent member to Africa and Latin America?,” she said.
“We have to include more developing nations in the decision making structures of the Security Council. And we need to change the way it does business by doing away with outdated and non-transparent working methods. Imparting more legitimacy and balance to the Council would restore its credibility and equip it to confront the challenges of our times,” she added, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s opinion.
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Source:Timesofindia
Sushma swaraj
