United Nations Security Council Resolution 1067
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1067, adopted on July 26, 1996, after noting various statements and resolutions by the President of the Security Council
and International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) deploring the shooting down of two civilian aircraft by the Cuban Air Force on February 24, 1996, the Council called on Cuba
to comply with international obligations relating to aviation
, particularly the Convention on International Civil Aviation
.
The Security Council recalled the sovereignty
that all countries had in the airspace
above their territory and territorial waters
. In this regard, all countries had to abide by principles, rules and standards in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), including rules relating to the interception and non-use of weapons against civil aircraft.
The resolution noted that the shooting down of the two planes, which were part of the Brothers to the Rescue
organisation run by Cuban exiles, was a violation of the principle that no weapons were to be used against civil aircraft in flight and that, when intercepting such aircraft, the lives of those on board not should be jeopardised. Cuba had argued that the flights were provocative acts in its airspace. Condolences were expressed to the families of the four persons who died as a result of the interception, which was condemned by the Council. All the parties were called to respect international civil aviation
laws and procedure, while at the same time reaffirming the right of states to use appropriate measures against aircraft being used for purposes contrary to that of the Chicago Convention.
All states that had not yet ratified the Chicago Convention were urged to do so, while the decision of the ICAO to investigate standards and practices to avoid a similar incident in the future was welcomed.
China
and Russia
abstained
from voting on Resolution 1067, which was approved by the other 13 members of the Council. Dissenting members believed that the resolution was singling out Cuba for condemnation, and instead should have issued a call which urged states both to refrain from shooting down civilian airplanes as well as to prevent the improper use of civil aviation.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1067, adopted on July 26, 1996, after noting various statements and resolutions by the President of the Security Council
President of the United Nations Security Council
The President of the United Nations Security Council is the presiding officer of that body. The president is the head of the delegation from the Security Council member state that holds the rotating presidency.-Selection:...
and International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO) deploring the shooting down of two civilian aircraft by the Cuban Air Force on February 24, 1996, the Council called on Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
to comply with international obligations relating to aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
, particularly the Convention on International Civil Aviation
Convention on International Civil Aviation
The Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention, established the International Civil Aviation Organization , a specialized agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air travel...
.
The Security Council recalled the sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
that all countries had in the airspace
Airspace
Airspace means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere....
above their territory and territorial waters
Territorial waters
Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most from the baseline of a coastal state...
. In this regard, all countries had to abide by principles, rules and standards in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), including rules relating to the interception and non-use of weapons against civil aircraft.
The resolution noted that the shooting down of the two planes, which were part of the Brothers to the Rescue
Brothers to the Rescue
Brothers to the Rescue is a Miami-based activist organization headed by José Basulto. Formed by Cuban exiles, the group is widely known for its opposition to the Cuban government and, then President, Fidel Castro...
organisation run by Cuban exiles, was a violation of the principle that no weapons were to be used against civil aircraft in flight and that, when intercepting such aircraft, the lives of those on board not should be jeopardised. Cuba had argued that the flights were provocative acts in its airspace. Condolences were expressed to the families of the four persons who died as a result of the interception, which was condemned by the Council. All the parties were called to respect international civil aviation
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
laws and procedure, while at the same time reaffirming the right of states to use appropriate measures against aircraft being used for purposes contrary to that of the Chicago Convention.
All states that had not yet ratified the Chicago Convention were urged to do so, while the decision of the ICAO to investigate standards and practices to avoid a similar incident in the future was welcomed.
China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
abstained
Abstention
Abstention is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be contrasted with "blank vote", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by...
from voting on Resolution 1067, which was approved by the other 13 members of the Council. Dissenting members believed that the resolution was singling out Cuba for condemnation, and instead should have issued a call which urged states both to refrain from shooting down civilian airplanes as well as to prevent the improper use of civil aviation.
See also
- Cuba – United States relations
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1001 to 1100 (1995 – 1997)