Angola, Spain, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Venezuela
has recently gained temporary seats on the United Nations Security Council.
Replacing Argentina, Venezuela faced no contest for the designated Latin
American seat. In any case, Venezuela, a state infamous for human rights
violations that fall far short of United Nations’ standards, should not have
been granted this powerful position.
Police brutality, censorship, abuse of
government power, and sexual violence have plagued the state of Venezuela
throughout the rule of deceased ruler Hugo Chavez and current President Nicolas
Madura. Meanwhile, the United Nations actively seeks to uphold its impressive
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which specifically states that “All human
beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” (Article 1). The
inclusive contents of this declaration are only relevant and meaningful if they
are upheld by those member nations who pledged to do so. The other states of
Latin America should have stepped up to challenge their Venezuelan neighbor for
this position, specifically, those who do uphold the United Nations’ Declaration
of Human Rights. Counties like Costa Rica, Panama, and many others who maintain
considerably more humane states in relation to Venezuela would be much more
suitable for this powerful role. Additionally, the other member states of the
United Nations should have encouraged another Latin American country to oppose
Venezuela, they should have blocked Venezuela from gaining this power as it is
in their own best interest not to led and influenced by an inhumane state that
does not uphold their pledges. The United States as both a regional hegemon and
permanent member of the United Nations Security Council should have used its
considerable weight to prevent this from happening. It is alarming for a
country so well known for such atrocious human rights violations to be given a
leadership opportunity that could seriously alter the progress and efforts of
the United Nations as a whole.
The permanent
members of this council include The Unites States of America, the Russian
Federation, China, France, and the United Kingdom. If Venezuela attempts to
capitalize on its newfound position of power then it just may find support from
permanent members Russia and China both of whom also have been known to
struggle with human rights violations. Venezuela has shown support for Russia
in its invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine, as well as for Iran and
Syria. These displays are not only contrary to American stances but further
reveal a level of disregard for human rights and United Nations principles.
Venezuela’s involvement with high level issues of this council could easily
threaten the council’s ability to protect human rights internationally and
further their own destructive agenda beyond their own borders.
Venezuela is not an
appropriate fit for this position. The state is responsible for atrocities
against its own citizens and has proven to be a dishonest member of the
respectable organization that is the United Nations. The United States, among
others, should have avoided this situation earlier but will now be bound to suppress
any destructive or threatening influence Venezuela may have while serving.
Sources:
http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/venezuela
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/world/americas/venezuela-gets-security-council-seat-turkey-fails.html?_r=0
Why was it that no other country in Latin America stepped up to the plate to take on Venezuela for the seat on the Security Council? Maybe now that they have a seat on the security council we can and will have to hold them more accountable for human rights abuses going on in their country.
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ReplyDeleteBridget, you do a great job characterizing why Venezuela is not a good fit for the UN Security Council. I am also curious why no other Latin American country contested them for the position (that no one even tried). However, I don't know if it's the United States job to patrol who is placed on Security Council or if it's their place to force other Latin American countries into the running. Further, few countries have much of a moral high ground in this case: Russia and China are in many ways worse than Venezuela in respect to human and civil rights, and the U.S. is no saint either (especially with police brutality and equal application of the law). All in all, you raise very important points about how important the make-up of the Security Council is.
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