Hidden vetoes distort procedures of UNSC sanctions regimes: India

Slamming the use of technical blocks by some permanent members of the UN Security Council, India has said such "hidden vetoes" distort the already opaque procedures of the Council's sanctions regime as it called for the UN body to take the lead in prosecuting non-state actors.

"High priority must be accorded to effectively tackling the problem of increasing emergence of non-state actors in conflict situations, who are immune to coercive and punitive measures," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said at an open debate on 'Women, Peace and Security' at the UN Security Council here yesterday.

He said the Council should take the lead in investigating and prosecuting such non-state actors, and "not be atrophied by the opaque procedures in its sanctions regimes, which have been further distorted by hidden vetoes, called technical holds or blocks, cast by some permanent members without accountability."

Mukerji's remarks come against the backdrop of China blocking India's move in the UN earlier this year demanding action against Pakistan over release of Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi in violation of a resolution of the world body as it contended that India provided insufficient information.

At a meeting of the UN Sanctions Committee in June this year, a clarification was to be sought from Pakistan over Lakhvi's release in the 26/11 trial but Chinese representatives blocked the move on grounds that India did not provide sufficient information.

Marking the 15th anniversary the adoption of the United Nations Security Council's resolution 1325, the Council adopted a new text by which it decided to integrate women, peace and security concerns across all country-specific situations on its agenda, within relevant contexts.

"Fifteen years ago, Security Council resolution 1325 underscored the pivotal link between gender and international peace and security," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his remarks to the Council.

Mukerji said the United Nations must encourage the full and meaningful participation and leadership of women in the decision making processes of conflict prevention, conflict-resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.

He said armed conflict has escalated to unprecedented levels, dramatically reversing progress made, including in the area of women, peace and security.