Is the UN Just a Bystander?

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: The United Nations (UN) has faced increasing criticism for its inability to effectively address the long-standing conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir, which have led to the deaths of thousands of civilians, including women and children.

Despite decades of resolutions, reports, and international condemnation, the organization has been unable to take decisive action, leading to widespread frustration with its role as a global peacekeeper.

In Palestine, the situation has worsened dramatically since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The Israeli government, in response to the UN’s criticism of its military actions, has declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “persona non grata,” barring him from entering the country. This move reflects the deep distrust Israel has developed toward the UN, accusing it of bias and antisemitism.

Israel’s strained relationship with the UN has been building for decades, but the recent conflict has brought it to a breaking point. Israel’s Foreign Minister accused the UN of supporting terrorists by failing to condemn Iran’s missile attack on the country.

Meanwhile, the UN has repeatedly highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with calls for accountability for the significant loss of civilian lives.

However, Israel’s disregard for UN resolutions and international law, particularly regarding its occupation of Palestinian territories and settlement policies, remains unchanged.

Critics of Israel point to the large number of UN resolutions targeting the country, with no significant consequences for its continued defiance.

Israel, for its part, argues that the UN unfairly singles it out, while ignoring the broader context of the conflict. The situation has led to calls from some within the UN to reconsider Israel’s membership in the organization, although such drastic measures are unlikely to gain traction.

The conflict in Kashmir is another example of the UN’s ineffectiveness.

The region has seen decades of violence and unrest, with thousands of civilians killed in clashes between Indian security forces and local populations.

Reports of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and the use of excessive force, have been well-documented by the UN. Yet, despite numerous resolutions and international pressure, the situation remains unresolved, with no end in sight.

India’s actions in Kashmir, including its revocation of the region’s semi-autonomous status, have drawn international condemnation, but the UN has been unable to intervene in any meaningful way.

The lack of accountability has emboldened India to continue its military operations, resulting in further civilian casualties and human rights violations. The demographic changes being implemented in the region have been described as a war crime, but the international community has remained largely silent on the issue.

The UN’s inability to enforce its resolutions and hold violators accountable has undermined its credibility as a global peacekeeping organization. The veto power held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council has effectively paralyzed the body, preventing it from taking decisive action on critical issues.

This structural flaw has allowed powerful countries to ignore international law with impunity, while the people in Palestine and Kashmir continue to suffer.

The conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir are not just regional disputes; they pose a threat to global stability. The failure of the UN to address these issues has led to a growing sense of frustration and hopelessness among the affected populations.

Without intervention, the violence and suffering will only continue to escalate, further destabilizing the regions and potentially leading to broader conflicts.

Reforming the UN, particularly its Security Council, is essential if the organization is to regain its relevance and effectiveness in maintaining international peace.

The current system, which allows a single permanent member to block any meaningful action, has proven to be a major obstacle to resolving global conflicts. Without significant changes, the UN risks losing its moral authority and becoming irrelevant in the eyes of the international community.

The ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir serve as stark reminders of the limitations of the UN. Despite its founding principles of promoting peace and protecting human rights, the organization has been unable to fulfill its mandate in these regions.

As the violence continues and the death toll rises, the UN’s inaction becomes harder to justify. The world is watching, and the stakes could not be higher.

The question remains: will the UN step up and take meaningful action, or will it continue to be a bystander to the suffering of millions?

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.

Asem Mustafa Awan has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.

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