UK's Global Influence: UN & NATO

• The UK exerts global influence through its relationships with the United Nations, NATO, the Commonwealth, and the World Trade Organization.

The United Nations (UN)

• The UN was established in 1945 by the international community post-World War II to prevent war and address global issues via discussion including 193 member countries.
• The UK joined the UN in October 1945.
• The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, allowing it to veto resolutions.
• The UN General Assembly is the main body, which discusses important issues and makes recommendations.
• The Human Rights Council works to uphold global human rights.
• The World Food Programme delivers aid to people in disaster areas.
• UNICEF advocates for the protection of children worldwide.
• The core functions of the UN include maintaining peace, protecting human rights, delivering aid, promoting development, and upholding law.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

• NATO was founded in 1949 to protect Western Europe and the Western world from Soviet aggression.
• In 2018, NATO was composed of 29 members, including the UK as an original member.
• NATO aims to ensure the freedom and security of its members through political and military means, resolving issues via negotiation and military backup if necessary.
• NATO has been involved in Afghanistan and Iraq in response to terrorism and weapons of mass destruction threats.

The Commonwealth

• The Commonwealth comprises countries formerly part of the British Empire with 53 member states.
• Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Commonwealth; Prince Charles was appointed as her designated successor in 2018.
• The Commonwealth works to promote economic, social, and sustainable development, democracy, peace, and environmental protection.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

• The WTO is an international body that manages trade relations between countries including 164 members.
• The UK has been a member since 1995.
• The WTO sets rules for international business practices.
• The WTO resolves trade disputes between countries.
• The WTO aims for free, open, and transparent trade to foster trust among members.

Benefits and Commitments of UK Membership

• UN benefits include the UK's veto power on the Security Council and disaster assistance from other members.
• UN commitments require the UK to pay a membership fee, contribute to peacekeeping, and maintain global peace.
• NATO benefits: The UK military shares expertise and enhances security through collaboration.
• NATO commitments: The UK must send troops if a member is threatened and allocate 2% of its budget to NATO funding.
• Commonwealth benefits include mutual support and stronger international relationships.
• Commonwealth commitments: The UK upholds peace, democracy, human rights, and environmental protection.
• WTO benefits include reduced trade barriers for UK companies and smoother international trade.
• WTO commitments involve avoiding trade barriers, adhering to WTO dispute resolutions, and treating all nations without favoritism.

Global Responsibilities

• The UK balances its rights and responsibilities in global issues and human rights.

Human Rights

• All people are entitled to universal and inalienable human rights, as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
• Governments that have signed the UDHR are responsible for respecting it.

Conflict Situations

• Conflicts, including civil wars and persecution of minorities, threaten human rights, exemplified by the civil war in Syria and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

• Human rights have a higher moral authority than national laws, requiring countries to prioritize human rights over self-interest.

Protecting Human Rights

• The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court enforce international humanitarian law on human rights.
• Individuals who violate human rights can be tried in these courts.

Humanitarian Intervention

• Humanitarian intervention involves countries acting to address human rights abuses in another country.
• Between 1998 and 2008, the UK and NATO intervened in Kosovo to protect civilians' human rights during the civil war.

International Law

• International law limits the effects of armed conflict on civilians through international humanitarian law, which establishes the rules of war.

The Geneva Conventions

• The 1949 Geneva Conventions are internationally accepted agreements.
• They establish rules for the treatment of individuals during war, including prisoners, the wounded, and civilians.
• Use of biological and chemical weapons is prohibited.
• Killing an enemy who surrenders is not permitted.
• The wounded and sick must be cared for, and civilians must not be attacked.

International Humanitarian Law

• These are rules agreed upon by countries to protect citizens' human rights during war.
• It aims to protect civilians and those no longer fighting.
• It permits outside organizations to intervene to protect human rights if a government abuses its citizens or cannot prevent abuse.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

• The ICC created in 2002 in The Hague, is independent from the UN.
• It has 123 members and hears cases of serious crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• It acts when national courts cannot handle a case or when referred by the UN or a country.
• Judgments at the ICC balance punishment and restorative justice.

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

• The ICJ ('World Court') is a UN organization in The Hague.
• It settles legal disputes between nations on issues like land or resources.
• It consists of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, serving 9-year terms.
• Only states can bring cases, not individuals or organizations.
• Permanent UN Security Council members can avoid the ICJ through a UN resolution.
• Countries ruled against are not forced to comply.

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• NGOs are independent bodies that provide relief, protect people, and support development.
• NGOs include charities and focus on human rights, disaster relief, the environment, and development.
• They operate on humanitarian aims without seeking profit.
• They raise funds from the public and may work with governments but remain non-partisan in conflicts.
• NGOs protect people, support development by aid during disasters, disease control, refugee assistance, human rights advocacy, and infrastructure improvement.
• NGOs lack the resources of governments, limiting their capabilities, rely on public support and are susceptible to scandals.