With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
- It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
- It traditionally meets in March, June, and September every year.
- It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 3 only
- 1 and 3
- 2 and 3
- 1 and 2
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect
- The United Nations Credentials Committee is not set up by the UN Security Council; rather, it is established by the General Assembly at the beginning of each regular session. It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President. It operates under the authority of the General Assembly, not the Security Council.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- The Credentials Committee schedule is not as such fixed to meet in in March, June, and September each year.
Statement 3 is correct
- The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon (Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly).
- For example: In the scenario involving Afghanistan and Myanmar, the UN Credentials Committee was tasked with reviewing competing claims about representation from both countries.
- Afghanistan: The Taliban sent a communication to the UN Secretary-General nominating Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan’s envoy to the UN, while the previous representative, Ghulam Isaczai, appointed by the ousted Ashraf Ghani government, was listed to speak on behalf of Afghanistan. The Credentials Committee was review these conflicting credentials and decide who should represent Afghanistan.
- Myanmar: Following the coup, Myanmar’s military rulers have dismissed the previous UN Ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, and appointed Aung Thurein as the new representative. The Credentials Committee was tasked to review this change in representation.
- The Credentials Committee assess these credentials and submit a report with its findings to the General Assembly. The General Assembly then decide on the appropriate representation for both countries based on the Committee’s report.
