UN Charter
Definition
The UN Charter is a foundational treaty of the United Nations, signed in 1945. It sets out the rights and obligations of member states, and establishes the main organs and procedures of the UN.
Analogy
Think about it as your school’s rulebook or constitution which outlines how things should be run, what are everyone’s responsibilities and what happens if rules are broken.
Related terms
International Law: This is a set of rules generally accepted by nations as binding in their relations with each other. The UN Charter forms an important part of international law.
Veto Power: This refers to the power given to five permanent members (China, France, Russia, UK, US) of the Security Council to reject any resolution - it's like having an ultimate 'no' vote in student council decisions.
Human Rights: These are basic rights and freedoms that all people should have. The promotion and protection of human rights is one key purpose outlined in the UN Charter.
"UN Charter" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.