United Kingdom Joins Push to Limit UN Security Council Vetoes

The Government of the United Kingdom has joined a political declaration urging permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to refrain from using their veto power in cases of genocide and other mass atrocities. The initiative, first proposed by France and Mexico in 2015, now has the support of 128 countries, leaving it one country short of a two-thirds majority of UN member states.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco stated that the growing support demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the Security Council can maintain international peace and security. The push coincides with the start of the UN General Assembly and follows years of institutional paralysis caused by divisions among the five permanent members.

Although the declaration remains non-binding even if it reaches the two-thirds threshold, proponents intend for the measure to increase the political cost for permanent members who exercise their veto during dire emergencies.