All the fifty States which were signatories to the Charter at San Francisco were accepted as original members of the United Nations Organisation.
The membership is open, vide Article 4 of the Charter, to all other peace- loving States who accept the obligations of the Charter, and in the judgment of the United Nations are able and willing to carry out these obligations. Admission is effected by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
In 1946, the Security Council unanimously recommended the admission of Afghanistan, Iceland, Siam and Sweden, and on the approval of the General Assembly these States became accredited members of the United Nations.
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In the following year Pakistan and Yemen were admitted, and in 1948 Burma also became a member, bringing the membership to fifty-eight. But unfortunately there had been an unhealthy rivalry between the major powers of East and West on the issue of admission of new States in their bid “for maintaining the existing balance in the General Assembly between their respective supporters.
The deadlock continued till 1956, when matters were eased by the “package deal” enabling thereby the admission of 17 States. The total membership of the United Nations was 80 on January 1, 1957. At the end of 1964, it was 115, including Indonesia, which withdrew its membership in January, 1965.
On October 25, 1971, the General Assembly approved by 76 votes to 35, with 17 abstentions, the formal resolution tabled by Albania, Algeria and twenty other nations, admitting the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations. Simultaneously, Taiwan, which had till then represented China in the United Nations, was expelled.
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With the admission of a tiny principality of Monaco followed by the newly independent country of Eritrea in May 1993 the membership increased to 183. Another principality was granted admission in July 1993, thus, bringing the present total to 184 member-States. With the re-admission of South Africa the number comes to 185.
The Charter of the United Nations provides for the suspension and expulsion of members, but no provision has been made for withdrawal from membership. It has, however, been held that the absence of an express prohibition “must be deemed to have preserved the right to sever”, and Indonesia’s withdrawal set the precedent.
If a member- State persistently violates the principles of the Charter, it may be expelled from the Organization by the Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
Similarly, if the United Nations is taking preventive measures or enforcement action against a member-State, it may be suspended from exercising its rights and privileges by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The Security Council may, however, restore these rights whenever it deems necessary.