Mar 19, 2022 (Nikkei) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will propose reforms at the United Nations to limit veto powers held by the Security Council's five permanent members, Nikkei has learned, after Russia last month blocked a resolution condemning its invasion of Ukraine.
"Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, has violated international law with its reckless actions," Kishida said at a parliamentary upper house budget committee meeting Thursday. "We need to work toward concrete reforms on the use of veto power."
Kishida had told Japanese lawmakers on Monday that he wanted to continue promoting change at the U.N. and the Security Council in cooperation with countries like France, which has proposed limits to veto power in the past.
"Japan's stance has long been that countries must exercise maximum restraint on veto use," he said.
Kishida did not give details on Japan's proposal, but possibilities include restricting the council's permanent members from vetoing resolutions on conflicts in which they are involved, or resolutions related to grave human rights violations. The permanent members are the U.S., China, France, the U.K. and Russia.
The U.K. is willing to discuss removing Russia as a permanent member of the Security Council, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on March 1.
Moscow is expected to block any attempts to remove Russia as a permanent member or to limit veto powers. The U.S. also has reservations. ...continue reading
