The Myths and Realities of the United Nations: The light is flickering

 

The United Nations began its journey on October 24, 1945, standing on the ruins of the Second World War. It is the successor of the League of Nations (1919). The objectives are to establish peace throughout the world, to create friendship among countries and to ensure development through international cooperation, including ensuring peace through peaceful means. The philosophy of the collective security faces serious threats and hurdles from the permanent states and nuclear states.

The United Nations peacekeeping missions are one of the vital segments of the United Nations to reduce conflict and war as well as establish peace and security. The Department of Peace Operations coordinates global peacekeeping operations. Currently, there are twelve (12) peacekeeping operations working in conflict zones around the world. United Nations peacekeeping operations are a very effective tool in addressing global peace and security challenges. May 29 has been celebrated as International UN Peacekeeper Day since 2002, after the adoption of Resolution No. 5/199 (2002) by the United Nations General Assembly. The concerned authorities recognize the brave and professional men and women who have contributed to UN peacekeeping operations and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in peacekeeping in different missions.

The United Nations has severe limitations in addressing the ongoing skirmishes, protracted civil war, and prolonged crisis among the nation-states. The conflict occurred not only in Ukraine but also in other African countries and other parts of the world. Israel has occupied Palestine at gunpoint for decades. The United Nations is unable to do anything other than accept some innocuous proposals on these questions.

Some powerful nuclear-armed states often violate the basic norms and regulations of the United Nations (UN). A new UN report has sharply criticized the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The report prepared by three human rights experts criticizes Israel, saying that by building these Jewish settlements, Palestinians are being pushed out of their land. It is also said that they are being harassed and insulted in various ways on a daily basis. Palestinians continue to suffer harassment and intimidation. The officials of the UN accused the Israeli government of various forms of non-cooperation during the preparation of the report.

October 24 is the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. The Organization of Independent States is the fruit of a united effort to work for world peace and against injustice. This international organization was born on October 24, 1945, with the formal recognition of its charter by a majority of its founding members. The United Nations is working to resolve conflicts, establish peace and promote development around the world. Sometimes it deviates from its objectives and principles of the UN.

The politics of membership in the UN is one of the structural problems of the UN. Some powerful states and the permanent states block the UN's resolutions to be a member of the UN. Though Palestine and other nation states have four basic criteria, they did not gain membership of the UN due to ideological differences of permanent member states and their own national interests. Today is United Nations Day. The United Nations officially started on October 24, 1945. This organization, formed after the Second World War to establish peace, has grown in size over time. It started its journey in 1945 with 51 member states, but currently has a membership of 193. The journey of Bangladesh at the UN has not been smooth since its membership. Bangladesh failed to gain membership of the United Nations due to Pakistan's opposition and China's veto power for two consecutive years.

Finally, Bangladesh gained membership on September 17, 1974. Bangladesh became a full member of the United Nations in September 1974, three years after the victory in the 1971 Liberation War. After five years, Bangladesh was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council. Bangladesh was again elected as a member for the second term in 2000 and 2001. Among these, Bangladesh served as the President of the Security Council from March to June 2000. Earlier in 1986, the then Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Humayun Rashid Chowdhury, served as the President of the 41st session of the General Assembly of the organization. Bangladesh has played a tremendous role in peacekeeping missions over the years since its journey to the UN. Some peace keepers also lost their lives on several peacekeeping missions in the last few years. In 1988, Bangladesh began its journey into UN peacekeeping operations by sending 15 military observers to the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIMOG). In 1989, Bangladesh sent its first military team to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia to monitor the peace process and elections.

The United Nations (UN) should learn from the League of Nations' failures. Some personnel and former Secretary Generals of the UN, Kofi A. Annan and Dag Hammarskjold, strongly advocated ensuring international peace and security. They and other peace-loving people have faced a lot of hurdles and challenges from the conflicting parties and powerful countries. However, they failed due to a lack of cooperation from the Security Council member states and ideological differences between the concerned parties. Therefore, the concerned authorities and permanent countries need to assist the peace lovers and high officials of the UN to implement the rule of business equally without any hassle.

Some powerful states encourage protracted conflicts for their own sake and interests. Therefore, the United Nations (UN) should focus on protracted conflicts and crises as they undermine the effectiveness of the UN. Though the United Nations played a vital role in ensuring development programs, it failed to establish peace and security for all. Therefore, the United Nations needs to focus on financial soundness and stability in order to ensure economic sustainability and avoid any upcoming economic recession. The UN and its sister organizations did not actively participate in development, economic development, or other people-oriented sectors. It has been observed that the UN is frequently preoccupied with implementing informal activities, which are then followed by commemorating various days, UN Day, and participating in the General Assembly. If the permanent member states play a neutral role in the UN in order to establish its principles, then it will be a neutral international organization in promoting international peace and security.


Md. Habibur Rahman is a
poet, writer, and researcher.