Settlement of International Disputes

Sociology | Mercantile Law | International Law | International Relations

The UN was established in order to avert the minor conflicts and disputes among the states which, in the past, often led to the long term destructive wars; along with Security Council to take into account the disputes among states; UN also took care of instituting an international Judicial Organ. But it has also secured other options i.e. diplomatic methods to solve the inter-state frictions, if some state does not want to attend to the jurisdiction of its judicial organ. Peaceful settlement of disputes between the states is the ultimate insurance to avoid another world war thus; international law has proposed comprehensive recommendations in this regard.

PACIFIC SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES UNDER UN CHARTER
Chapter-6 of the UN charter comprising of Article 33 to Article 38 emphasizes over the pacific settlement of disputes among the states. Some prominent points mentioned under these articles are;

  • The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice. (33-1)
  • The Security Council shall, when it deems necessary, call upon the parties to settle their dispute by such means. (33-2)
  • Any state whether member of the UN or not can bring a dispute into the attention of the Security Council for investigation over which the appropriate recommendations will be given to sort out the problem. It may also if deemed necessary call upon the states breeding dispute which may prove to be a threat to the international peace and may set up the machinery for settlement.