UN Security Council veto hinders civilian protection, MSF says

The international medical relief agency Medecins Sans Frontieres urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to adopt new rules for the use of the veto when considering the protection of civilians in armed conflict. In his briefing MSF International Council President James Orbinski noted that the power of the veto prevented UN action during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 despite field reports of an escalating political crisis and is currently hindering UN action on the protection of civilians in Chechnya. "The question remains about the ability of the Security Council to commit to results and not simply to good intentions," Orbinski said. "When considering protection of civilians the Security Council should adopt new rules related to the use of the veto, and to the rationale behind each state's vote." MSF also rejects what it perceives to be the current trend within the UN to incorporate humanitarian issues into its global security strategy in order to facilitate the settlement of conflict. "UN agencies should be permitted to function on the ground in situations of humanitarian need as independent humanitarian actors, which by definition is independent of political considerations," Orbinski said. "The Security Council must recognise and insist that the humanitarian must remain independent of the political," he added. CARE and Oxfam also attended the Security Council briefing which was held under the Arria Formula, a special informal arrangement that allows it to hear from experts on peace and security issues. The Security Council is scheduled to have an open meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict on 19 April.