For sixty eight years, the United Nations had pledged to abide by these principles, rooted in which they’ve strengthened their foundational base. While it sustained humanity from meeting its ultimate collapse in the event of a Third World War, it is equally pertinent to understand the relevance of these principles today – in a world scenario marked by transition. With a modified version of national agendas, foreign policies, diplomatic relations in a ‘globalised’ scenario – no national entity can perceive itself to exist in isolation. Similarly, the essence of these principles experiences a constant construction and deconstruction, when placed in a relative equation. The question then arises on the indispensable attribute accorded to United Nations as an international organisation.
Interestingly, the responsibility of avoidance of war that the United Nations took up in 1945 does not become obsolete even in the present state of affairs. The inherent understanding and the nature of wars per se have however altered in response to changing circumstances. The space for action and advocacy is a constant expectation, and not restricted to certain phases of ultimate crisis, as it had been previously. The United Nations today expands its area of focus to issues that affect individuals and communities each day, beginning from humanitarian aid, environmental preservation, concern over statelessness and refugee protection. For such issues of concern, international cooperation transcending beyond national boundaries become a pre-requisite; to address the inadequate scope of individual governments in tackling the same.
The inherent attribute of dynamism therefore, is crucial in upholding the significance of the United Nations as one of the finest forums that contains the potential to bring together all countries of the world, in the light of peaceful deliberations and negotiations. On one hand, through this association, member states realise the centrality of regional and national cooperation placed parallel to links with various agencies and non-governmental organisations that get framed under the guidance of the United Nations mandate. On the other hand it equally poses a threat, it can demarcate the concerns of national interest and the thin line distinguishing an issue within jurisdiction of the nation; as against it qualifying as an international concern.
Nonetheless, expectations of judicial transparency, establishment of democracy through constant struggle and mass mobilisation, and freedom in exercising the inalienable human rights exist even today, simply because the counter forces of dictatorial rule, border disputes, terrorism, violence and killings loom larger than ever before. This can be best exemplified by the on-going struggle and series of resistance in the Arab Spring, whereby leaders and state representatives from Europe and the United States of America, among others, emphasised the invaluable presence of this international organisation, and its respective member states.
For communities who have been living on the margins, failing to be acknowledged as a citizen of a particular nation-state, the United Nations remains their crucial support. Statelessness takes away from these persons the right to life in dignity, the right to political participation in decision-making, even the right to identification – which, ironically are guiding principles of the United Nations Charter. When we analyse some of these experiences; beginning with people in Pashtunistan – concentrated in a region straddling the porous Afghan- Pakistan border; the stateless individuals alienated as a process of previously held state succession such as the disintegration of the Soviet Union, or the undocumented refugees of the Rohingyas ‘illegal’ in the eyes of legal protection, the relevance of United Nations and some of its specialised branching bodies (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is re-emphasised.
Despite United Nations’ involvement in promoting a wide variety of critical issues: poverty, health, hunger, education for all; the requirement to re-structure its organisational framework within the same cast is declared equally noteworthy. The United Nations, as previously mentioned, has to be viewed in a relative equation with the changing requirements and expectations of the world community, thereby evolving in a changing world. The motivational purpose which guided the formation of the United Nations back in 1945 too seeks for adaptation in the present day of opportunities and challenges. The existing institutional setup and provision for veto power to the permanent five members of the Security Council, among others, have been called upon to be reformed. This is precisely because the initial purpose to allocate such an expression of command was placed in accordance to the prevailing circumstances of instability – from political tensions, to the very idea of formation of the United Nations after the disappointing collapse of the League of Nations. However, gradual developments – from emergence of new states, new democratic setups, population rise and enhanced diversity among nations of Africa and Asia have not been represented adequately in this organisation.
As a young student, and firm believer of justice, equal rights and equal representation, the United Nations Charter becomes the most precious source of knowledge. However, I would not want to believe in its significance, remaining only on paper. For me, yesterdays United Nations Day might not have been an occasion to celebrate elaborately. But it equally remains a source of reassurance – to believe that the intrinsic idea of international peace and security is indeed accessible and appreciated by all; that it does not become a privilege for few; and that it’s significance is realised each day of our existence, in celebrating and becoming tolerant to differences and not inequality.
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