SOLOMON Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has called for an end to veto powers held by permanent members of the United Nations.
Wale said double standards at the UN had led to unresolved human rights issues in West Papua and contributed to wars around the world.
The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, representing the allied powers after World War II. China holds the seat originally held by Taiwan until 1971.
Each of the five countries can block any non-procedural resolution, even if all other members vote in favour.
Wale described this provision as a “relic of 1945.”
“Too often it has been used to shield violations of international law and entrench the double standards that fuel conflict,’’ he said the United Nations General Assembly.
“The veto must never again be used in situations of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Ultimately it should be abolished.’’
Wale pointed at continued human rights abuse in West Papua by members of the Indonesian security forces and Jakarta’s refusal to allow a visit to the territory by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
He said Solomon Islands reaffirmed its support for self-determination in Kanaky (New Caledonia) and the rights of the Maohi people in French Polynesia.
