Dec. 7, 2023
UN Secretary-General António Guterres invoked, on Wednesday, Article 99 of the founding UN Charter. What does it mean?
Article 99 allows the Secretary-General to “bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
The article has not been used for decades, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
Guterres reiterated in the letter his appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
What Did the Letter Say?
“I am writing under Article 99 of the United Nations Charter to bring to the attention of the Security Council a matter which, in my opinion, may aggravate existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security,” read the letter.
“This is urgent. The civilian population must be spared from greater harm. With a humanitarian ceasefire, the means of survival can be restored, and humanitarian assistance can be delivered in a safe and timely manner across the Gaza Strip,” it said.
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