Security Council Resolution 579 (1985) [on Hostage-Taking and Abduction]

S/RES/579(1985)View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the Security Council, under agenda item 64 Letter dated 16 December 1985 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/17685), published in 1985.

What subjects does this mandate have?

4 subjects

Abduction Hostages International Cooperation Treaties

What’s in this document?

5 operative paragraphs

This extracted fulltext may contain errors or omissions. Please check the source document.

At the 2618th meeting, on 9 October 1985, prior to the "They endorse the Secretary-General's statement of adoption of the agenda, 97 the President made the follow- 8 October 1985, which condemns all acts of terrorism. ina statement" on behalf of the members of the Council:

"They resolutely condemn this unjustifiable and "The members of the Security Council welcome the criminal hijacking as well as other acts of terrorism,

n~ws of the release of the passengers and the crew of including hostage-taking.

"They also condemn terrorism in all its forms,

wherever and by whomever committed."

LETI'ER DATED 6 DECEMBER 1985 FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. OF THE PERMANENT MIS- SION OF NICARAGUA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECU- RITY COUNCIL Decisions At its 2634th meeting, on 11 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Costa At its 2633rd meeting, on 10 December 1985, the Rica, Cuba, Honduras and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Council decided to invite the representatives of the to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Syrian question. Arab Republic and Viet Nam to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 6 December 1985 from the Charge d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Nicaragua to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council At its 2636th meeting, on 12 December 1985, the (S/ 17671 )". 99 Council decided to invite the representative of Zimbabwe to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.

LETI'ER DATED 16 DECEMBER 1985 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATF..4!i OF AMERICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECU- RITY COUNCIL Decision Resolution 579 (1985)

At its 2637th meeting, on 18 December 1985, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "Letter dated 16 December 1985 from the Perma-

Condemns unequivocally all acts of hostage-

taking and abduction;

Calls for the immediate safe release of all

COMPLAINT BY LESOTHO AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA Decisions At its 2638th meeting, on 30 December 1985, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Burundi, Lesotho, Senegal and South Africa to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "Complaint by Lesotho against South Africa: letter dated 23 December 1985 from the Permanent Representative of Lesotho to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/17692)". 101 At the same meeting, the Council also decided, at the request of the representatives of Burkina Faso, Egypt and Madagascar, 1 08 to extend an invitation to Mr. Neo Mnumzana under rule 39 of the provisional rules of procedure.

Resolution 580 (1985)

Affirms the obligation of all States in whose territory hostages or abducted persons are held urgently to take all appropriate measures to secure their safe release and to prevent the commission of acts of hostage-taking and abduction in the future;

Appeals to all States that have not yet done so to consider the possibility of becoming parties to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Interntionally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft and other relevant conventions;

Urges the further development of international co-operation among States in devising and adopting effective measures which are in accordance with the rules of international law to facilitate the prevention, prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostage-

taking and abduction as manifestations of international terrorism.

Lesotho to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, 109

Having heard the statement by the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Mr. M. V. Makhele, 110

Bearing in mind that all Member States must refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or acting in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling its resolution 527 (1982),

Gravely concerned at the recent unprovoked and premeditated killings for which South Africa is responsible, in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and their consequences for peace and security in southern Africa,

Gravely concerned that this act of aggression is aimed at weakening the determined and unrelenting humanitarian support given by Lesotho to South African refugees,

Grieved at the tragic loss of life of six South African refugees and three nationals of Lesotho resulting from this act of aggression committed against Lesotho,

Alarmed at the fact that the continued existence of apartheid in South Africa is the root cause of increased

97 The qenda for the meeting was: The Middle East problem includina the Palestinian question. • S/17554.

99 See Official Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Suppkment for October, November and December 1985.

of 18 December 1915 100 Ibid.

101 See p. 24, Statement by the President. 102 General Assembly resolution 34/146, annex. 103 Gei:ieral As~embly resolution 3166 (XXVIII), annex. 104 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 974, No. 14118, p. 178. ios Umted Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 860, No. 12325, p. 105.

of 30 December 1985 106 Resolutions or decisions on this question were also adopted by the Council in 1976, 1977, 1982 and 1983. 107 See Official Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1985. 108 Document S/17700, incorporated in the record of the 2638th meeting.

Adopted unanimously at the

2637th meeting.

10 •

109 Official Records of the Security Council, Fortieth Year, Supplement for October, November and December J 985, document SI 17692. 110 Ibid., Fortieth Year, 2638th meeting.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

Resolution 580 (1985)

Table of contents