United Nations in Resolving International Disputes

The United Nations was founded in October 24, 1945, and had 192 Member States, the Articles of Association is mainly the "UN Charter", which is to maintain international peace and in security, the development of friendly relations between countries, promote international cooperation and coordination of national actions. It has a total of five major organs: the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice and the Secretariat, all agencies are to perform their functions under the provisions of the Charter.

It has always been a controversial topic that whether the United Nations plays an important role in international affairs, this essay agrees that the United Nations is indeed an effective institution, it plays an irreplaceable role in dealing with many international disputes and settlement of international affairs. However, the United Nations also has its limitations and shortcomings, which are mainly reflected in the poor settlement of regional disputes and the inability to stop the war. This essay will firstly introduce the principal organs of the United Nations in terms of the settlement of disputes. Following this, it will discuss the limitations and shortcomings of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. Finally, it will look at how the limitations and shortcomings reflected in the settlement of Iraq War.

First, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General . The United Nations General Assembly is composed by all Member States, which is the deliberative organ of the United Nations, and holding a regular session each year. There must be two-thirds of the UN General Assembly adopted on "important issues"; for the "general problems", more than half would be permitted. Generally speaking, resolutions adopted by the Assembly are not legally binding, and they are more of a political and moral strength. The role of Secretary-General of the United Nations is reflected more of a third-party intervention in the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

Second, the Security Council. Within the United Nations, Security Council plays an important political position; it is the only organization which has right to take action for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Chapter VII of "UN Charter", and all the United Nations Member States must comply with any resolution made by the Council in its terms of reference.

To take the Iraq war for example, after the 1991 Gulf War the United Nations Security Council passed a total of over 60 resolution, mainly around the Gulf War cease-fire, liability and compensation for war, destruction of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, against terrorism and the request of Iraq on full cooperation with the United Nations issues. (Bennett, 2008) In the international level, these resolutions made by the Council is the legal basis for international community to deal with the Iraq issue, which provides the rights and obligations of Iraq and other members of the United Nations on the issue, but also decides the position of the United Nations in Iraq's post-war reconstruction. But overall, the U.S. and British military action against Iraq is the challenge that defies the United Nations security system, which just exposes the limitations and shortcomings of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.

Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.