October 30, 2025 | 09:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - France and Spain on Thursday, October 30, 2025, renewed calls to limit the use of veto power in the UN Security Council, arguing that the mechanism has repeatedly blocked international action in addressing humanitarian crises, including the ongoing violence in Gaza.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the Security Council requires reform to reflect modern geopolitical realities and restore legitimacy to its decisions.
"We want to make sure that two seats of the permanent Security Council are given to Africa, that Japan, Germany, and Brazil can have a seat … to make decisions more legitimate," Barrot said during the Paris Peace Forum, as quoted by Anadolu.
He added that France has long worked with Mexico on initiatives to limit veto power in cases of mass atrocities—a proposal now backed by more than 20 countries.
"We were unable to reach a joint commitment on Gaza," he said, emphasizing that the Security Council must assume "moral and political responsibility" to uphold international law.
"That’s why we’re pleading so hard in favor of Security Council reform, to unlock decisions that are blocked by veto when basic human rights are affected."
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares echoed Barrot’s call, stressing Spain’s consistent position on crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and the Sahel.
"We defend international law, international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians," Albares said.
Albares highlighted the role of UNRWA, describing it as a "highly necessary UN agency," noting that "the lives of six million Palestinians in the Middle East depend on it."
He called for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza unhindered and stressed that those responsible for attacks on aid workers must be held accountable.
"We must recall that the rulings of the International Court of Justice are binding for everyone in the United Nations, including the state of Israel," Albares said. "Israel cannot have a right of veto."
Meanwhile, Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), warned that humanitarian operations in Gaza remain "highly complex, sensitive, and dangerous."
"The ceasefire must hold, millions of lives hang in the balance," she said. "IIf hostilities resume, there is no resilience left for the people."
Spoljaric-Egger cautioned that ignoring international law in Gaza and Sudan sends a "signal to 450 armed groups and non-state actors that anything is permitted," warning that these groups’ power is being amplified by new technologies.
Editor’s Choice: Xi Jinping Commends Trump for World Peace Efforts
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Is the Ozone Layer Finally Recovering? UN Findings Offer Hope
42 menit lalu
If current trends hold, the ozone hole could shrink back to its size in the 1980s, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Xi Jinping Commends Trump for World Peace Efforts
2 jam lalu
The meeting of Xi Jinping and Trump marked the first face-to-face encounter in six years between the leaders of the world's two largest economies.
French Police Arrest Five More Suspects in Louvre Jewel Heist
3 jam lalu
French police have arrested five additional individuals, including a key suspect, in connection with the massive Louvre Museum jewelry heist.
Francesca Albanese Alleges 63 Countries Complicit in Gaza Genocide
6 jam lalu
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has accused numerous countries of complicity in the genocide committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
More Than 100 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza, Officials Report
1 hari lalu
Israel's prime minister has accused Hamas of breaching the Gaza ceasefire. Israel also accused the militants of returning the wrong hostage remains.
Ceasefire in Gaza Holds Despite Israel's Ceasefire Breaches, Says Trump
1 hari lalu
The US-backed ceasefire in Gaza is reportedly still intact despite the recent Israeli attacks that killed at least 90 people.
Netanyahu Claims Right to Attack Gaza, Lebanon Despite Civilian Casualties
1 hari lalu
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu frames his stance as necessary for "Israel's defense" and sovereignty.
Netanyahu Says Israel Will Decide Which Countries Join Gaza Peace Force
1 hari lalu
Israel insists on regulating the foreign military presence in Gaza. Indonesia is reportedly among the countries permitted to send troops.
Indonesian Armed Forces Prepare Initial Steps for Troop Deployment to Gaza
1 hari lalu
The initial steps will form the basis for the Indonesian military's preparation to send troops to Gaza for a peacekeeping mission
Hamas Hands Over Remains of Captives as Israel Attacks Gaza Despite Ceasefire
2 hari lalu
Hamas has handed over the remains of another captive to Israel hours after a drone attack in southern Gaza.
