§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out Her Majesty's Government's policy on the application of Article 53 of the UN Charter, with particular reference to Security Council approval for regional organisations' peace enforcing, peacekeeping or humanitarian interventions. [82663]
§ Mr. Tony LloydUnder Article 53 of the United Nations (UN) Charter, enforcement action under regional arrangements described in Article 52 requires Security Council authorisation. Prohibitions on the use of force contained in the UN Charter do not preclude the use of force by state or group of states in accordance with Articles 51 or under the authority of the Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the Charter.
Cases have also arisen when, in the light of all the circumstances, a limited use of force was justifiable in support of the purposes laid down by the Security Council but without the Council's express authorisation when that was the only means to avert an immediate and overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe. Such cases would in the nature of things be exceptional and would depend on an objective assessment of the factual circumstances at the time and on the terms of relevant decisions of the Security Council bearing on the situation in question.
We are working to ensure the closest possible co-operation between the Security Council and regional arrangements. I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the 30 November statement by the President of the Security Council, "Enhancing Monitoring of Activities authorised by the Council but carried out by Member States or Coalitions of States", which has been placed in the Library of the House (ref. DEP 99/333).