United Nations Security Council Resolution 1595
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1595, adopted unanimously on April 7, 2005, after recalling its support for the sovereignty
, territorial integrity
and independence of Lebanon
, the Council established a commission to assist Lebanese authorities in their investigation of the assassination
of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in Beirut
on February 14, 2005.
The resolution effectively established the United Nations' first-ever murder investigation.
to investigate the assassination and identify the perpetrators, further calling upon the Lebanese government to ensure its findings were taken fully into account. It stated that the commission would have full freedom of movement
, co-operation from Lebanese authorities, collect additional evidence and have the necessary facilities in order to perform its functions appropriately. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
was asked to assist in the establishment of the commission and recruitment of its staff.
All countries were called upon to co-operate with the commission, which was instructed to complete its work within three months, though the Secretary-General could authorise an additional three month extension if required.
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"....
1595, adopted unanimously on April 7, 2005, after recalling its support for 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...
, territorial integrity
Territorial integrity
Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other nation-states...
and independence of Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, the Council established a commission to assist Lebanese authorities in their investigation of the assassination
Assassination of Rafic Hariri
On 14 February 2005, Rafic Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, was killed, along with 77 others, when explosives equivalent of around 1,000 kg of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove near the St. George Hotel in Beirut. Among the dead were several of Hariri's bodyguards and his friend...
of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
on February 14, 2005.
The resolution effectively established the United Nations' first-ever murder investigation.
Observations
In the preamble of the resolution, the Council condemned the assassination of Rafic Hariri in the Lebanese capital, and urged all concerned to act with restraint. A fact-finding mission had reported that the Lebanese investigation into the incident would reach a satisfactory or credible conclusion. Therefore, the Council decided that an international independent investigation would be necessary, as it was aware that those responsible for the attack had to be identified and held accountable. It thanked the Lebanese government for approving permission for an international inquiry.Acts
The Council established an international commissionUnited Nations International Independent Investigation Commission
The United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission was established in April 2005 by Security Council Resolution 1595 to investigate the assassination of Rafic Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon on 14 February 2005....
to investigate the assassination and identify the perpetrators, further calling upon the Lebanese government to ensure its findings were taken fully into account. It stated that the commission would have full freedom of movement
Freedom of movement
Freedom of movement, mobility rights or the right to travel is a human right concept that the constitutions of numerous states respect...
, co-operation from Lebanese authorities, collect additional evidence and have the necessary facilities in order to perform its functions appropriately. The Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006...
was asked to assist in the establishment of the commission and recruitment of its staff.
All countries were called upon to co-operate with the commission, which was instructed to complete its work within three months, though the Secretary-General could authorise an additional three month extension if required.
See also
- Assassination of Rafic HaririAssassination of Rafic HaririOn 14 February 2005, Rafic Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, was killed, along with 77 others, when explosives equivalent of around 1,000 kg of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove near the St. George Hotel in Beirut. Among the dead were several of Hariri's bodyguards and his friend...
- Lebanon–Syria relations
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1501 to 1600 (2003 – 2005)
- Mehlis ReportMehlis reportThe Mehlis Report is the result of the United Nations' investigation into the 14 February 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri. The investigation was launched in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1595 and headed by the German judge, Detlev Mehlis...
- Special Tribunal for LebanonSpecial Tribunal for LebanonThe Special Tribunal for Lebanon is an international tribunal for the prosecution under Lebanese law of those responsible for the assassination of Rafic Hariri on February 14, 2005. The tribunal also has jurisdiction over a series of other attacks in Lebanon if they are proven to be connected...