Security Council Resolution 580 (1985) [on South Africa's Military Activities Against Lesotho and Compensation for Lesotho]

S/RES/580(1985)View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the Security Council, under agenda item 62 Complaint by Lesotho against South Africa, published in 1985.

What subjects does this mandate have?

6 subjects

Apartheid Lesotho Military Activity South Africa South African Refugees War Damage Compensation

What’s in this document?

9 operative paragraphs

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 25

violence both within South Africa and from South Africa against neighbouring countries,

Strongly condemns these killings and recent acts of unprovoked and premeditated violence, for which South Africa is responsible, against the Kingdom of Lesotho in flagrant violation fo the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country;

Demands the payment by South Africa of full and adequate compensation to the Kingdom of Lesotho for the damage and loss of life resulting from this act of aggression;

Calls upon all parties to normalize their relations and to employ established channels of communication on all matters of mutual concern;

Reaffirms Lesotho's right to receive and give sanctuary to the victims of apartheid in accordance with its traditional practice, humanitarian principles and its international obligations;

Requests Member States to extend urgently all necessary economic assistance to Lesotho in order to strengthen its capacity to receive, maintain and protect South African refugees in Lesotho;

Calls upon the South African Government to resort to peaceful means in resolving international problems in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Declaration on Principles of International Law concernin~ Friendlr Relations and Co-operation

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.

Adopted unanimously at the

2639th meeting.

111 General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV), annex.

112 The ~enda for the meeting was: Complaint by Lesotho against 113 S/17702.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

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