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Lecture 4 VMO StudentsInternational organizations
History and development of United Nations
After the Second World War, people had the idea of ‘never again’ and came to the conclusion that we
needed a new organization on global level who can secure the international peace and security.
This resulted to the United Nations in 1945.
Main organs are, in practice:
- It is important to recognize the political aspects in these bodies. For example, in the General
Assembly, all members have one vote. However, it can not adopt legally binding decisions
(Article 9 UN Charter).
Another aspect is that the developing members are in the majority. So if developing countries
want to push something through, they will put it on the agenda;
- In de Security Council, we have 15 members and 5 permanent members who the right of veto.
They can adopt legally binding decisions under Chapter VII (Article 23 UN Charter);
- The Economic and Social Council deals with both economic and social aspects including
Human Rights. However, in 2006, the UN decided that the Human Rights deserved their own
Council (Article 61 UN Charter);
- Human Rights Council;
- International Court of Justice (Article 92 UN Charter) is the major judicial organ of the UN.
Both States have to agree to the jurisdiction of the Court;
- Many organs, sub-organs and other institutions e.g. 10 human rights treaty bodies and special
procedures on human rights.
UN Specialized Agencies established by Treaty and have a Treaty-based linked to the UN (Article 57-
59 UN Charter). Examples include:
World Health Organization (WHO);
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), also known as World Bank;
International Monetary Fund (IMF);
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Note: not WTO, even if strong links with UN.
Security Council
Article 27(3) UN Charter is clear and seems to mention that every permanent member has to vote
‘yes’. However, the practice is different. A Resolution can be adopted, with a majority and if no
permanent member votes against it, because in reality, permanent members can be absent.
Namibia Advisory Opinion
The ICJ recognized this practice of permanent members of either not being present or not voting at all
(abstaining). This has to be accepted as the practice of Article 27(3) UN Charter.
Treaty is changed by practice or customary law.
So, requirement for a UNSC Resolution to be adopted:
- A majority (9 or more) of the members of UNSC vote in favor;
- And no veto (vote against, by one of the permanent members).
A discussion about the UNSC Reform has started in 1993. But it has not moved forward in terms on its
composition. It is so hard to achieve because the permanent members would have to agree to this,
and they would definitely not give up their chairs or include more chairs, which reduce their power.
The problem with the inequality of the United Nations Security Council is not only that it is unfair, but it
will also come to a point where its decisions with not be legitimate, because it is not a representative
body anymore.
Security Council’s antiterrorism legislation
These lists are publicly available. There is a difference between the list for ISIL & Al-Qaida and other
lists.
, ISIL & Al-Qaida list
Lists individuals and entities whose assets must be frozen and individuals who are subject to a travel
ban. The lists are administered by a Committee consisting of all UNSC members. Those listed can
submitted a request for delisting to the Ombudsperson.
The Ombudsperson advices on delisting and the Committee decides by consensus on
delisting, with the possibility to refer the matter to the UNSC in those cases the Committee
cannot agree by consensus on delisting the person;
So, delisting depends on the decision of the Security Council, where the veto’s apply.
Other lists
De-listing request through focal point or State of residence or citizenship. This is a more political step,
because the State then would like its citizen to be de-listed.
The focal point sends out a recommendation and the lists are administered by a Committee consisting
of all UNSC members.
Subject to a no-objection procedure in the relevant committee, in case of an objection
person/entity remains on the list.
History and development of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
It is not a UN Specialized Agency. It is created by a Treaty, that was ratified by States. It was
established in 1995. Before the WTO, there was the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
That was established in 1948 en focused on liberalizing trade in goods.
The WTO incorporates the GATT, focused on liberalizing trade more broadly, including e.g. services
and regulates trade-related intellectual property rights.
The object of the WTO is to liberalize trade. Therefore, are two main principles:
1. National treatment – if you allow as a country a certain type of gas for cars, you also have to
allow the import of these gases;
2. Most favored nation principle – if you as a country have a favorite country where you get your
fish, you also have to give fish from other countries the same treatment.
What makes the WTO special is its dispute settlement.
It includes the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), a system for compulsory inter-State
settlement of disputes that leads to binding decisions.
The DSU consists of a two-tiered dispute settlement procedure:
Panels and the Appellate Body.
The dispute will first be discussed by a Panel, which are arbitrators. The decision of
the Panel can then by appealed to the Appellate Body, which consists of lawyers who
then decide the case;
The European Union can access the dispute settlement system of the WTO. Article 1(1) DSU
states that only WTO members can bring disputes, article XI WTO Agreement enables EU to
become a party to WTO;
EU law states that they have an exclusive competence. Art. 3(1)(a)&(e) TFEU on
exclusive EU competence for customs union and commercial polity and arts. Article
206 & 207 TFEU on EU external competence regarding the establishment of a
customs union and the common commercial policy;
So, the EU is capable of becoming and is a member of the WTO.
So, the conclusion is, it is very fragmented!
History and development of IO’s in Europe
There are two main international organizations of Europe:
1. Council of Europe – created by a Treaty and deal mostly with Human Rights issues;
2. European Union.
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