Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
The UN needs to update its mandate
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterresspeaks during the United Nations General Assembly,Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at UN headquarters.(Photo: Bebeto Matthews)
Letters
May 16, 2021

The UN needs to update its mandate

Dear Editor,

The past week the world watched in horror the conflict taking place between Israel and Palestine. The most significant event occurred during the weekend when the building which houses the prestigious new agencies such as The Associated Press and the Al Jazeera networks was totally demolished in an air strike by the Israeli security forces. The situation has deteriorated so much that even women and children have been the main victims.

The media reported that since the start of the conflict at least 180 people have been killed in Palestine, and at least 30 people in Israel. Moreover, this past weekend, one family lost 10 members, including five sons and a mother.

I listened to the United Nations Security Council meeting which was held this weekend in New York, at which representatives from from both sides of the conflict presented their arguments, including other members of the UN Security Council. A few member states also strongly voiced their opposition and condemnation of the violence. Some members even provided solutions ranging from adopting firmer policies to adopting a two-state solution proposed by the Oslo Accords.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterrez noted that the UN is actively engaging all sides towards a ceasefire in ending the conflict and has reminded both sides that the constant bombardment of media houses and civilian targets violates international law. But how effective are these attempts at ceasefire?

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing since 1948, and attempts by various groups, nations, and even the UN itself to resolve it have been futile. I even recall that historic handshake between the two leaders of Palestine and Israel, which US President Bill Clinton negotiated at the White House lawn in 1993. However, the media reported today that the UN’s hands were tied prior to this new violence, as the US asked them to not to intervene so early at this stage.

I have always wondered the true mandate of the UN Security Council. One may recall that the United States invaded Iraq in the second Gulf War, despite objections from the UN Security Council.

According to the UN’s website, it operates by a charter. Moreover, the website reveals that one of its main objectives is the maintenance of international peace and security and to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”. However, one of its roles involves peacekeeping, which naturally evolved with the passage of time, and was not explicitly provided for in the charter — which is quite disturbing. Therefore, the UN Security Council should urgently change its mandate to include those specific revisions and to include others that may be effective.

It could also expand its charter and, in effect, update it to grant more power to effectively make its own decisions and disarm groups or member states that have not been adhering to the rules of international interactions. In other words, it should be able to operate independently and free from outside interferences. Finally, it should continually invoke Chapter VII: Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression of the charter to make it a permanent feature.

Daniel Morgan

dmorgan239@gmail.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Samuels, regional heads of judiciary bemoan leak of internal CCJ emails
Latest News, News
Samuels, regional heads of judiciary bemoan leak of internal CCJ emails
BY JASON CROSS Observer staff reporter crossj@jamaicaobserver.com 
August 12, 2026
Veteran attorney-at-law Bert Samuels on Tuesday doubled down on his call for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to be Jamaica’s final appellate cour...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers to be sold for US$12.5 billion—reports
International News, Latest News
NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers to be sold for US$12.5 billion—reports
August 12, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States(AFP)—The Los Angeles Lakers -- one of the most successful teams in NBA history -- are being sold to former Disney CEO Bob Ig...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts
International News, Latest News
Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts
August 12, 2026
NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—Two United States (US) media groups on Wednesday sued President Donald Trump over his move to charge for early access to...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trelawny Mayor rejects claims Gov’t responsible for Coopers Pen eviction
Latest News, News
Trelawny Mayor rejects claims Gov’t responsible for Coopers Pen eviction
August 12, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation Mayor Colin Gager is rejecting claims that the Government of Jamaica is responsible ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Bellevue CEO calls for compassion after daughter allegedly told to ‘wheel yourself’ at UHWI
Latest News, News
Bellevue CEO calls for compassion after daughter allegedly told to ‘wheel yourself’ at UHWI
BY BRIAN PITTER Observer writer pitterb@jamaicaobserver.com 
August 12, 2026
Bellevue Hospital Chief Executive Officer Suzette Buchanan is calling for greater accountability and compassion in Jamaica’s healthcare sector after a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Scotiabank creates unexpected moments of care through Your Future Is Safe With Us campaign
Latest News, News
Scotiabank creates unexpected moments of care through Your Future Is Safe With Us campaign
August 12, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—From helping children cross busy roads safely before the school day begins to surprising motorists by paying their tolls, Scotiabank...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Humble Lion return with ambitions beyond survival
Latest News, Sports
Humble Lion return with ambitions beyond survival
August 12, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Humble Lion FC president Christopher Jackson says the club’s return to the Jamaica Premier League is about more than simply regainin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Two die in Manchester crash
Latest News, News
Two die in Manchester crash
August 12, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica— Two men died in a two-vehicle crash on the New Forest main road in south Manchester Wednesday morning. Preliminary reports are th...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct