The UN Security Council

WHAT CAN THE SECURITY COUNCIL DO?

The Council has the power to consider any situation that could endanger international peace. It can take the following action:

  1. Investigate situations and determine whether they are likely to threaten international peace.
  2. Ask parties to a dispute to seek a peaceful solution, for example, by negotiating.
  3. If this fails, it can authorise non-military measures that might put pressure on the parties to reach a peaceful agreement e.g. economic sanctions such as restricting imports or exports or suspending diplomatic relations.
  4. If fighting persists, it can authorise the use of armed force to restore peace.
  5. In order to protect civilians under threat, it can send UN peacekeepers to a troubled area.
  6. If it believes that war crimes or other severe human rights abuses have taken place, it can refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.

Discussion questions:

One of the Security Council’s roles is to prevent conflicts from escalating. Think about factors that divide and unite people and list them below.

Unite People:

Divide People:

Unite People:

What about countries? List your answers below.

Divide People:

Do the same factors unite and divide different countries?