A UN resolution is a formal expression of the collective decision of a UN organ, such as the Security Council. It requires at least nine votes in favour to pass, except for “important questions” (concerning the maintenance of international peace and security, admission of new members to the United Nations, suspension of the rights and privileges of membership, the expulsion of members, operation of the trusteeship system and budgetary issues), for which a two-thirds majority is required. The text is then formally adopted, or vetoed, by a show of hands and published in the UN documents system.
Resolutions include operative paragraphs, or requests for action. Non-binding operative paragraphs typically start with words such as “recommends”, “urges”, or “invites”. Binding operative paragraphs usually start with words such as “decides” or “calls upon”. Actions may range from the appointment of special envoys and the establishment of missions to sanctions and the severance of diplomatic ties.
Experts who spoke with RS counter that it is incorrect to say that non-binding resolutions have no enforcement mechanism and are therefore useless. According to Article 25 of the Charter, the member states are bound to carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Defying a non-binding UN resolution, therefore, is a breach of international law.
