The United Nations Security Council, terrorism and the rule of law

Terrorism Rule of law Security

The United Nations Security Council is in a unique position amongst interstate bodies. It is entrusted by an institution with almost universal membership – the United Nations – with maintaining international peace and security. To carry out its mandate, the Council enjoys an extraordinary power: if it finds a threat to the peace, a breach of the peace or an act of aggression, the Council is empowered by Chapter VII of the UN Charter to issue mandatory resolutions – resolutions which states are obliged, under the Charter, to implement. An example is the imposition of a mandatory arms embargo against apartheid South Africa in November 1977.