Emmanuel Macron calls for reform of UNSC, asks veto be limited in cases of mass killings

Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (September 25) called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to limit veto power in cases of mass killings.

“Reform of the composition alone of the Security Council is not sufficient to make it more effective. I also wish for reform to change the operational methods to limit the right to a veto in case of mass crimes,” the French president told the UN General Assembly.

First proposed in 2013 by France, regulation of use of the veto would mean that the five permanent members of the Security Council– China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States– would voluntarily and collectively undertake not to use the veto where a mass atrocity has been ascertained.

France had proposed that in order to determine the existence of mass atrocities, the UN Secretary-General would decide to refer the matter to the Security Council either on his own initiative or on a proposal from the High Commissioner for Human Rights or from a certain number of Member States.

Being a voluntary measure, it would not require a revision of the United Nations Charter.

Macron’s statement is believed to be a reference to Russia’s acts in the Russia-Ukraine war.

However, for Western nations, it could become a double edged sword, especially in light of the mounting criticism of their role in arming Israel as it continues operations in the brutal war in Gaza.

A host of UN experts, including Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, have called Israel’s actions in Gaza a ‘genocidal assault’. They have repeatedly called Western nations like the United States to stop providing arms to Israel.

Macron seemed at least somewhat ready to face the consequences of this double-edged sword. The Gaza war “has gone on too long,” Macron told the United Nations, adding that “there is no explanation possible” for the thousands of civillian deaths.