United Nations and its founding charter celebrated 75th anniversary at a complicated time marred by pandemic and political upheavals. The journey of 75 years has been full of ups and downs with challenges, achievements and failures. Moreover, expansionist countries like the People’s Republic of China have posed a great challenge to the moral standing of the UN and its organs. Let us explore the dynamics of the UN through the eyes of Dr. Aniruddha Babar.
75 Years of United Nations – Retrospection and Reflections
“The U.N. was set up not to get us to Heaven but only to save us from Hell.”
― General Dag Hammarskjöld, Former United Nations Secretary-General, in a speech on May 1954.
The United Nations and its founding charter is marking its 75th anniversary and we commemorated this grand event at Tetso College under the pioneering leadership of the Dept of Political Science, at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts and also the political-strategic tantrums of countries like China and Pakistan which has evidently threatened international peace, law and order. Will the world emerge stronger and better equipped to work together? Or will distrust and isolation grow further? The upcoming days should be that of dialogue, free communication when we come together to discuss our priorities as a human family, and how we can build a better future for all.
The whole basis of the United Nations is the right of all nations- great or small- to have weight, to have a vote, to have a voice, to be attended to, to be a part of the modern world. For the first time, more than ever before in human history, we have reached the collective realization that the world has a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together hand-in-hand. And that is why we have the United Nations- a common platform for all. Let us not forget that the United Nations rose from the ashes of destruction, and created a magnificent vision for all of humankind: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, and protect universal human rights. However, there have been accusations against the UN; many times we come across concerns that the United Nations is failing. However, the fact is the United Nations is not failing. We are collectively failing its charter and ideals through the decisions we make or fail to make and implement att the right time. When we are ready, and collectively decide to fulfil the ideals of the UN in the most constructive manner, we will see the conventions, reports and structures as invaluable tools for getting there.
The modern world has been going through a very tough time. Somewhere, in the insane race of development, progress and political supremacy, the world has gone blind. Let us not forget that The United Nations was born out of the horrors of World War II. At the time of its foundation, it was primarily tasked with the goal of maintaining world peace and saving future generations from the evils of war. How far has it succeeded? How far has it succeeded in maintaining the Balance of Power in the world? How far has it succeeded in keeping fascism, communism and religious fundamentalism in check? How far has it succeeded in annihilating the roots of the colonial desires of countries like the People’s Republic of China whose actions and omissions have now dragged all of us almost to the final edge of the world war?
With the meteoric growth of economic might, China also started to flex its muscles to threaten a number of countries that were coming in its way to become a military superpower. China occupied regions of Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia by military force and also the regions like Hongkong and Taiwan are being troubled and threatened by China’s racist, supremacist and expansionist policies. China, who claimed to be a friend of Nepal, has successfully captured a part of its region by means of “Salami Slicing”. As per the latest reports from Survey Department of Agriculture Ministry of Nepal, China has successfully penetrated and occupied land in seven border districts including Dolakha, Gorkha, Darchula, Humla, Sindhupalchowk, Sankhuwa-sabha and Rasuwa of Nepal. China is also eying on the land of Bhutan with a vision firmly set on the South-China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The statesmen in Tokyo are shocked and surprised by Chinese attempts to claim and their willingness to capture the disputed ‘Senkaku’, ‘Ryukyu’ islands. China also claims large parts of Vietnam on historical precedent (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644). Also, Macclesfield Bank, Paracel Islands, parts of the South China Sea and the Spratly Islands. 160,000 square kilometres area of Russia is still unilaterally claimed by China, despite China signing several agreements.
Bhutanese enclaves in Tibet, namely Cherkip Gompa, Dho, Dungmar, Gesur, Gezon, Itse Gompa, Khochar, Nyanri, Ringung, Sanmar, Tarchen and Zuthulphuk, also Kula Kangri and mountainous areas to the west of this peak, plus the western Haa District of Bhutan have strongly been claimed by China. Moreover, China also claimed parts of Laos, Brunei, Tajikistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and entire countries of Mongolia, Taiwan, South Korea and North Korea. Expansionist policies of China have formally claimed every region and country that has traditionally been inhabited by ‘people with typical East Asian or Mongoloid features’.
Besides allegations about state sponsored atrocities and genocide of Uyghur population, People’s Republic of China has also been largely held responsible by the international community for hatching a criminal conspiracy to spread Covid-19 all over the planet which has resulted in the destruction of not only economy of the world but also of the invaluable human resources. It has been found and established that China’s deliberate criminal negligence in the initial stages of the Covid-19 is responsible for the unparalleled destruction that the world has witnessed in the ongoing year due to coronavirus.
On this occasion of 75th Anniversary of the United Nations it is important to appeal to the International Community to take steps to establish the Rule of Law by making China answerable to all its unlawful actions, omissions and human rights violations (specifically in the case of Tibetans and Uyghurs). We must appeal to the United Nations to make the People’s Republic Of China morally responsible and legally accountable for its role in destabilizing the world through its direct actions and their direct/indirect consequences on world peace. We must appeal to the United Nations to take necessary actions to remove China from the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council In the best interest of International Peace, Order, Equity and Justice.
Time has come for the people of the world to unite to support and help the United Nations. We should not forget that the UN is not any sacrosanct, sanctum sanctorum or larger than life body beyond the reach of a common man. UN is “us” and “we” are the “UN”. We, as free citizens of the “free world” have every right to urge our leaders and representatives in the UN to exert enough pressure, to be firm and deal with those countries, large and small that have become expansionist, war mongering, belligerent and a threat to the international peace and the survival of this planet as well as of Human Race.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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