The P5 Question
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
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The P5 Question refers to the political and legal debate concerning the reserved seats of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. These five—the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom—are abbreviated as "P5" (permanent five). Their membership does not expire and requires no election, and they possess the power to block any significant resolution before the Council.
Most of the debate centres on two issues: the inequality among member states, and the exercise of decision-making power when one of the five or their allies has an interest at stake. On the other hand, defenders of the system argue that the veto power prevents the United Nations from becoming entangled in wars between major nuclear-armed states, which could destroy the organization.
Origins of the system
The structure of the Security Council was established by the United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, after the Second World War. The most powerful states in the war insisted that no new body could be created without them, and therefore secured permanent seats and the right to block resolutions. In later years, China's seat was transferred from the government of Taipei to the People's Republic of China, and the seat of the Soviet Union passed to Russia after 1991.
The veto power
A veto means that a single dissenting permanent member can block a resolution. Normally, a resolution requires nine votes in favour without a permanent member's veto to pass. Often the power is exercised indirectly: the text of a resolution is revised beforehand to avoid a veto, which results in a watered-down outcome.
The reform debate
Various state groups have proposed that the Council be enlarged, that new permanent seats be created, or that the use of the veto be restricted in cases involving allegations of grave crimes. The African continent has taken a unified position demanding permanent seats with the same rights. Any change requires amendment of the Charter, which itself requires ratification by the five permanent members—making the debate circular.