UN fact-finding missions

United Nations fact-finding missions are United Nations missions intended to discover facts. They are often sent to troubled areas. Fact-finding missions have been sent by the UN to a number of trouble-spots over the past 50 years, on a pragmatic, occasional, case-by-case basis. There are legal and political parameters for fact-finding, which stresses its value and opens the door for more comprehensive, ongoing use of this tool, particularly by the Secretary-General.

The draft declaration was adopted without a vote by the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization at the end of its three-week sessions (4-22 February 1991, New York).

The declaration that defines and institutionalizes the use of such missions states that it is not only a tool to gather information, but also to signal concern over a potentially explosive situation. It states that fact-finding should be "comprehensive, objective and impartial". It should be used at the earliest possible stage to prevent disputes. Fact-finding missions may be undertaken by the Security Council, the General Assembly and the Secretary-General, with the consent of the "receiving State". Nations, however, are asked to receive and cooperate with these missions. Refusals to do so should be explained.

The Secretary-General should monitor conflicts which may threaten international peace and security, and bring relevant information to the attention of the Council. He should be able to mount an emergency mission in case of need. The Secretariat's early warning capability should be enhanced [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1309/is_n2_v28/ai_10977825 Charter committee drafts declaration on UN fact-finding activities - declaration sets clear, legal and political parameters for fact-finding missions | UN Chronicle | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ] .

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