Conditions of Admission of a State to Membership in the United Nations (Article 4 of the Charter)
Overview of the case
From the creation of the United Nations some 12 States had unsuccessfully applied for admission. Their applications were rejected by the Security Council in consequence of a veto imposed by one or other of the States which are permanent members of the Council. A proposal was then made for the admission of all the candidates at the same time. The General Assembly referred the question to the Court. In the interpretation it gave of Article 4 of the Charter of the United Nations, in its Advisory Opinion of 28 May 1948, the Court declared that the conditions laid down for the admission of States were exhaustive and that if these conditions were fulfilled by a State which was a candidate, the Security Council ought to make the recommendation which would enable the General Assembly to decide upon the admission.
This overview is provided for information only and in no way involves the responsibility of the Court.
Request for Advisory Opinion
Request for Advisory Opinion (including the dossier of documents transmitted to the Court pursuant to article 65, paragraph 2 of the Statute)
12 December 1947
Request for Advisory Opinion (including the dossier of documents transmitted to the Court pursuant to article 65, paragraph 2 of the Statute)
Available in:
English
French
Written proceedings
Written Statements
19 January 1948
Available in:
English
French
Oral proceedings
Verbatim record 1948
Pleadings, Public Sittings held at the Peace Palace, The Hague, on April 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 1948, the President, M. Guerrero, presiding
Available in:
Original Language
Orders
Order of 12 December 1947
Fixing of time-limit: Written Statements
Available in:
English
French
Bilingual
Advisory opinions
Advisory Opinion of 28 May 1948
Available in:
English
French
Bilingual
Summaries of Advisory Opinions and Orders
Summary 1948/2
Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 28 May 1948
Available in:
English
French
Press releases
Press release 1948/23
16 February 1948
Conditions of Admission of a State to Membership in the United Nations (Article 4 of the Charter) - The Court fixes the date for the opening of the oral proceedings
Available in:
English
French
Press release 1948/24
19 February 1948
Conditions of Admission of a State to Membership in the United Nations (Article 4 of the Charter) - Siam presents a written statement
Available in:
English
French
Press release 1948/28
(French version only)
19 February 1948
Conditions de l'admission d'un Etat comme membre des Nations Unies (article 4 de la Charte) - La Cour remet au 22 avril 1948 la date d'ouverture de la procédure orale (French version only)
Available in:
French
(French version only)