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Reference.org
United Nations Security Council veto power
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<p>The United Nations Security Council veto power is the power of the five <a href="/facts/Permanent_members_of_the_United_Nations_Security_Council/4Vkl8rI0">permanent members</a> of the <a href="/facts/United_Nations_Security_Council/ytwaz2e4">UN Security Council</a> (<a href="/facts/China/lTjIXY5p">China</a>, <a href="/facts/France/CxIeIKM3">France</a>, <a href="/facts/Russia/jfkCwyxn">Russia</a>, the <a href="/facts/United_Kingdom/kuPAILt2">United Kingdom</a>, and the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a>) to <a href="/facts/Veto/F7oEHNlw">veto</a> any decision other than a "procedural" decision. </p><p>A permanent member's <a href="/facts/Abstention/xSIw3Rxu">abstention</a> or absence does not count as a veto. A "procedural" decision (such as changing the meeting agenda or inviting a non-member to sit at a UNSC meeting) also cannot be vetoed. </p><p>The veto power is controversial. Supporters state that the United Nations would break down if it attempted to enforce binding action against a permanent member and that the veto is a critical safeguard against <a href="/facts/American_imperialism/hd2Pxs5u">United States domination</a>. Russia and China regard the veto as a promoter of international stability and a check against military interventions. Critics say that the veto is the most undemocratic element of the <a href="/facts/United_Nations/fgXLnmgT">UN</a>, as well as the main cause of inaction on <a href="/facts/War_crime/36qQAugC">war crimes</a> and <a href="/facts/Crimes_against_humanity/N4nRKINC">crimes against humanity</a>, as it effectively prevents UN action against the permanent members and their allies. </p>