Which UN organ’s veto power has drawn criticism as potentially hindering action?

• A. United Nations General Assembly
• B. UN Security Council
• C. International Court of Justice
• D. Secretariat

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how decisions get made when action is needed. The body that can bind member states to a course of action on peace and security also carries the veto power, held by its five permanent members. That veto means any one of those members can block a measure, even if there is broad support elsewhere, which can stall or derail responses to crises. Because of this, critics argue that the veto can hinder timely action and limit the UN’s effectiveness in preventing or stopping serious harm. The other bodies don’t operate with a veto: the General Assembly passes non-binding resolutions, the International Court of Justice issues rulings or opinions without a veto mechanism, and the Secretariat is the administrative arm. So the Security Council is the one whose veto power is most often criticized for potentially hindering action.