OG 5 – Legal English
THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations = an ingovernmental organisation that aims to maintain international
peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international
cooperation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
5 permanent members : they have vetoright -> if they don’t like it they say no
1 What are the aims of the UN?
To maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations,
achieve international cooperation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
Article 1 UN
2 What are the organs of the UN? What is their main power and function?
The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic
and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the
UN Secretariat. Article 7 UN
Their main power and functions are:
General Assembly:
To discuss, debate and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international
peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, international law
and the peaceful arbitration of disputes between nations.
Security Council:
The establishment of peacekeeping and special political missions, authorisation of military
enforcement action, the imposition of international sanctions on member states and the
ability to refer matters to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hoofdstuk XIII UN
Economic and Social Council:
Recomandations on econ and social descisions. Hoofdstuk X UN
International Court of Justice:
To settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States
and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United
Nations organs and specialized agencies. Hoofdstuk XIV UN
UN secretariaat:
To gather and prepare background information on various issues so that government
delegates can study the facts and make recommendations;
To help carry out the decisions made by the different organs of the United Nations;
To organize international conferences;
To translate speeches and distribute documents into the UN’s official languages;
To keep the public informed about the work of the United Nations. Hoofdstuk XV UN
3 Explain the principle of sovereign equality.
The principle that all states are equal before the law and domestic behavior towards
citizens and residents is of no business to other states
4 Explain the principle of non-intervention.
THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations = an ingovernmental organisation that aims to maintain international
peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international
cooperation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
5 permanent members : they have vetoright -> if they don’t like it they say no
1 What are the aims of the UN?
To maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations,
achieve international cooperation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
Article 1 UN
2 What are the organs of the UN? What is their main power and function?
The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic
and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the
UN Secretariat. Article 7 UN
Their main power and functions are:
General Assembly:
To discuss, debate and make recommendations on subjects pertaining to international
peace and security, including development, disarmament, human rights, international law
and the peaceful arbitration of disputes between nations.
Security Council:
The establishment of peacekeeping and special political missions, authorisation of military
enforcement action, the imposition of international sanctions on member states and the
ability to refer matters to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hoofdstuk XIII UN
Economic and Social Council:
Recomandations on econ and social descisions. Hoofdstuk X UN
International Court of Justice:
To settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States
and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United
Nations organs and specialized agencies. Hoofdstuk XIV UN
UN secretariaat:
To gather and prepare background information on various issues so that government
delegates can study the facts and make recommendations;
To help carry out the decisions made by the different organs of the United Nations;
To organize international conferences;
To translate speeches and distribute documents into the UN’s official languages;
To keep the public informed about the work of the United Nations. Hoofdstuk XV UN
3 Explain the principle of sovereign equality.
The principle that all states are equal before the law and domestic behavior towards
citizens and residents is of no business to other states
4 Explain the principle of non-intervention.
