(Nov.18,2009): The Vatican is in favour of reforming the veto power of the five permanent
members of the United Nations Security Council. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Apostolic
Nuncio and Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the UN, in his address to the 64th Session
of UN’s General Assembly, said that the Vatican is in favour of reforming the veto
power of the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France, the five permanent
members of UN’s Security Council, so that certain issues that affect most of the
international community can be discussed and not blocked by a single nation. Archbishop
Migliore said placing limits on its use would be a positive development because on
many occasions in history, its use has slowed down and even obstructed the solution
of the issues crucial to international peace and security, thereby allowing the perpetration
of violations of freedom and human dignity. He said “For this reason, the Holy See
joins all those, who share the view put forward by other delegations, that the Security
Council’s permanent members should commit themselves to a practice of not casting
a veto in situations, where genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, serious
violations of international humanitarian law or similar acts are involved.” The Vatican
diplomat expressed hope for more open dialogue and cooperation between the permanent
and other members of the Security Council to explore all diplomatic channels to settle
questions.