United Nations Security Council Resolution 1537
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1537, adopted unanimously on March 30, 2004, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone
, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone
(UNAMSIL) for six months until September 30, 2004 with a residual force remaining in the country until June 2005.
(ECOWAS) to build peace in the subregion and to countries contributing towards UNAMSIL. It welcomed progress made towards benchmarks for the drawdown of UNAMSIL in accordance with resolutions 1436
(2002) and 1492
(2003). At the same time, the Council noted that progress towards the benchmarks was fragile and there were concerns about security and the capabilities of the Sierra Leone Police
.
The introduction also stressed the importance of the consolidation of state authority throughout Sierra Leone, including the diamond
-producing and border areas. Furthermore, it was important that free and fair local elections were held in May 2004, according to the Council. A Human Rights Commission was to be established following a report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Council also noted the need for the Sierra Leonean government to assume responsibility for the country's national security as soon as possible, and the Secretary-General's conclusion that a small presence of the United Nations had to remain in Sierra Leone into 2005.
, the Council welcomed the Secretary-General's adjustment of the drawdown timetable to ensure a more gradual military reduction. It urged the government of Sierra Leone to continue efforts to develop a sustainable police force, army
, penal system and independent judiciary
so that it could assume full responsibility from UNAMSIL at the end of its mandate. The Council also urged the government to increase control and regulation of the diamond mining industry.
The resolution authorised a residual presence of UNAMSIL to remain in Sierra Leone until June 2005, while being reduced to 3,250 troops, 141 military observers and 80 United Nations police. Tasks for the remaining personnel would be arranged by September 30, 2004. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General was requested to report on the situation in Sierra Leone, the conflict in Liberia
and on the work of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
by September 15, 2004, particularly welcoming his intention to keep the human rights
, humanitarian, security and political situation in Sierra Leone under review.
The Council appreciated the work of the Special Court but noted financial concerns, calling for countries to submit outstanding contributions. Finally, UNAMSIL was asked to share its expertise with the United Nations Mission in Liberia
and United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
, particularly with regard to the movements of weapon
s and combatants across borders.
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"....
1537, adopted unanimously on March 30, 2004, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone
The United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone was a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone from 1999 to 2005. It was created by the United Nations Security Council in October 1999 to help with the implementation of the Lomé Peace Accord, an agreement intended to end the Sierra Leonean...
(UNAMSIL) for six months until September 30, 2004 with a residual force remaining in the country until June 2005.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Security Council praised the efforts of the Economic Community of West African StatesEconomic Community of West African States
The Economic Community of West African States is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region....
(ECOWAS) to build peace in the subregion and to countries contributing towards UNAMSIL. It welcomed progress made towards benchmarks for the drawdown of UNAMSIL in accordance with resolutions 1436
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1436
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1436, adopted unanimously on September 24, 2002, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone for a further six months beginning on September 30,...
(2002) and 1492
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1492
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1492, adopted unanimously on July 18, 2003, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council approved a four stage reduction of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone , culmuinating in a complete withdrawal by...
(2003). At the same time, the Council noted that progress towards the benchmarks was fragile and there were concerns about security and the capabilities of the Sierra Leone Police
Sierra Leone Police
The Sierra Leone Police locally known as Salone Police is the national police force of the Republic of Sierra Leone, responsible for law enforcement and crime investigation throughout Sierra Leone...
.
The introduction also stressed the importance of the consolidation of state authority throughout Sierra Leone, including the diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
-producing and border areas. Furthermore, it was important that free and fair local elections were held in May 2004, according to the Council. A Human Rights Commission was to be established following a report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Council also noted the need for the Sierra Leonean government to assume responsibility for the country's national security as soon as possible, and the Secretary-General's conclusion that a small presence of the United Nations had to remain in Sierra Leone into 2005.
Acts
Extending UNAMSIL's mandateMandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
, the Council welcomed the Secretary-General's adjustment of the drawdown timetable to ensure a more gradual military reduction. It urged the government of Sierra Leone to continue efforts to develop a sustainable police force, army
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces is the armed forces of Sierra Leone, responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone's border and defending the national interests of Sierra Leone, within the framework of its international obligations...
, penal system and independent judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
so that it could assume full responsibility from UNAMSIL at the end of its mandate. The Council also urged the government to increase control and regulation of the diamond mining industry.
The resolution authorised a residual presence of UNAMSIL to remain in Sierra Leone until June 2005, while being reduced to 3,250 troops, 141 military observers and 80 United Nations police. Tasks for the remaining personnel would be arranged by September 30, 2004. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General was requested to report on the situation in Sierra Leone, the conflict in Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
and on the work of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone is an independent judicial body set up to "try those who bear greatest responsibility" for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996 during the Sierra Leone Civil War...
by September 15, 2004, particularly welcoming his intention to keep the human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, humanitarian, security and political situation in Sierra Leone under review.
The Council appreciated the work of the Special Court but noted financial concerns, calling for countries to submit outstanding contributions. Finally, UNAMSIL was asked to share its expertise with the United Nations Mission in Liberia
United Nations Mission in Liberia
The United Nations Mission in Liberia is a peace-keeping force established in September 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia following the resignation of President Charles Taylor and the conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War....
and United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire
The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire is a peacekeeping mission whose objective is "to facilitate the implementation by the Ivorian parties of the peace agreement signed by them in January 2003"...
, particularly with regard to the movements of weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s and combatants across borders.
See also
- Ivorian Civil War
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1501 to 1600 (2003 – 2005)
- Second Liberian Civil WarSecond Liberian Civil WarThe Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, emerged in the south, and...
- Sierra Leone Civil WarSierra Leone Civil WarThe Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front , with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia , intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government...
- Special Court for Sierra LeoneSpecial Court for Sierra LeoneThe Special Court for Sierra Leone is an independent judicial body set up to "try those who bear greatest responsibility" for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996 during the Sierra Leone Civil War...