Quiz: Humanity Vetoed – How Much Do You Know About The United Nations Security Council?

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You can find answers to the questions at the end of the page. Remember not to cheat and good luck!

Questions:

1. Which one of the following is the body of the United Nations where all member nations participate?

1. Economic and Social Council
2. DISEC
3. General Assembly
4. Security Council

2. In total, how many members does the UN Security Council have? 

1. 5
2. 15
3. 75
4. 193

3. Which one of the following countries are not one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council? (Choose three)

1. France
2. Brazil
3. Russia
4. Japan
5. China
6. United States
7. United Kingdom
8. Germany

4. As of now, March 2021, what country holds the president of the UN Security Council? 

1. United States
2. Tunisia 
3. Estonia
4. France

5. What does the term Veto powers mean? 

1. Any of the veto power countries can block decisions made by the UN.
2. Any of the veto power countries can vote alone.
3. Any of the veto power countries can withdraw from the Council at their own will.
4. Any of the veto power countries can promote peace.

6. How many resolutions has Russia vetoed since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011? 

1. 3
2. 12
3. 14
4. 20

7. From top to bottom, order the five permanent members of the security council according to the number of resolutions vetoed since 1946? (Countries in particular order: Russia, France, China, UK, US) 

1. France – China – UK – Russia – US
2. China – France – UK – Russia – US
3. China – France – UK – US – Russia
4. China – France – UK – Russia – US
5. France – UK – China – US – Russia

8. How can members of the UN General Assembly vote to abolish the veto power of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council? 

1. By a simple vote of majority 
2. By ⅔ of majority
3. By the direct order of the UN Secretary General
4. None of the above

Answers:

1. General Assembly
2. 5: The Security Council consists of fifteen members, of which five are permanent
3. Brazil, Japan, Germany
4. Tunisia: The presidency of the UN Security Council is responsible for leading the United Nations Security Council. It rotates among the 15 member-states of the council monthly. 
5. Any of the veto power countries can block decisions made by the UN: The idea of countries having a veto over the actions of international organisations was not new in 1945. In the League of Nations, every member of the League Council had a veto on any non-procedural issue.
6. 20: Since 2011 Russia has vetoed about 20 UN resolutions with more than 15 of them being in support of the Assad Regime in Syria. Learn more here. 
7. China – France – UK – US – Russia
8. None of the above: The veto issue can only be resolved amongst the five permanent members themselves. Some countries, led by France, have tried to limit the use of veto power in extremely serious situations. The cynical response of the Russian Ambassador to the UN was “We see it as a somewhat populist proposal. If France wants to limit its own veto, they are welcome.”