Article 99 of the UN Charter

What is Article 99?

• Article 99 empowers the UN Secretary-General to alert the UNSC about any issues that may threaten international peace and security. 
• It’s a discretionary power requiring careful political judgment and is rarely used.

Few Noted Historical Usage of Article 99:

• 1950 – Korean War: This is one of the earliest and most significant uses of Article 99. This led to UN intervention in the conflict.
• 1960 – Congo Crisis: Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld used Article 99 to address the Security Council about the situation in the Congo.
• 1961 – Berlin Crisis: The situation in Berlin, especially the construction of the Berlin Wall, prompted Secretary-General to use Article 99 to bring attention to the potential for conflict escalation in Europe.

Why in News:

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following Israel’s military operations.