United Nations Security Council Resolution 591
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
591, adopted unanimously on November 28, 1986, after recalling resolutions 418
(1977), 421
(1977), 473
(1980) and 558
(1984), the Council strengthened the mandatory arms embargo
against apartheid South Africa
imposed by Resolution 418, and made it more comprehensive. Resolution 591 sought to clarify vague terms from previous resolutions on the topic.
The Council recognised the struggle of the South African people, calling for the establishment of a democratic state
with full civil and political rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(1948). It also condemned the "racist
regime" in South Africa for its repression against opponents of apartheid, killing demonstrators, holding of political prisoner
s and defiance of Security Council and General Assembly
resolutions.
The resolution urged Member States to ensure that components of embargoed items did not reach South Africa through third countries, including spare parts for aircraft and other military equipment belonging to South Africa, and any items which other countries may feel are destined for use by the South African police force
or military. Items included aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, electronic and telecommunications equipment, computers and four-wheel drive
vehicles. In terms of "arms and related material" from Resolution 418, this included nuclear, strategic and conventional weapon
s, all military and paramilitary police vehicles and equipment and other related material. The Council urged particularly against any cooperation in the nuclear field.
The Council then went on to urge Member States to not receive any imports of arms, ammunition or military vehicles from South Africa, asking those that had not yet done so to put and end to all exchanges and visits, including by government personnel. It also requested Member States, and those who are not a member of the United Nations, to not participate in any activities in the country that may contribute to South Africa's military capability, ensuring national legislation should reflect this. However though they did not agree with apartheid policies some states still cooperated with South Africa; Israel
and the military government of Chile
provided arms and Paraguay
acted as a third country which goods were delivered. Also, as many UN member states observed the resolution, non-member states, including Taiwan
, saw a risinng share of its companies operating in South Africa, though it did not necessarily provide weaponry, due to pressure from other states.
Finally, Resolution 591 called on the Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
to report on the progress of the implementation of the current resolution by no later than June 30, 1987.
Though the resolution was adopted unanimously, its rulings were voluntary. The sanctions were lifted under Resolution 919
in 1994.
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"....
591, adopted unanimously on November 28, 1986, after recalling resolutions 418
United Nations Security Council Resolution 418
United Nations Security Council Resolution 418, adopted unanimously on 4 November 1977, imposed a mandatory arms embargo against apartheid South Africa. This resolution differed from the earlier Resolution 282, which was only voluntary...
(1977), 421
United Nations Security Council Resolution 421
United Nations Security Council Resolution 421, adopted unanimously on December 9, 1977, after recalling Resolution 418, the Council decided to establish a committee to oversee the implementation of that resolution...
(1977), 473
United Nations Security Council Resolution 473
United Nations Security Council Resolution 473, adopted unanimously on June 13, 1980, after recalling resolutions 392 , 417 , 418 , 454 and 466 and letters from the Committee for South Africa, the Council expressed its concern and condemned South Africa for the killing of protesters, including...
(1980) and 558
United Nations Security Council Resolution 558
United Nations Security Council Resolution 558, adopted unanimously on December 13, 1984, after recalling resolutions 418 and 421 which imposed a compulsory arms embargo on South Africa and established a committee to monitor it, the Council stressed the continuing need for all Member States and...
(1984), the Council strengthened the mandatory arms embargo
Arms embargo
An arms embargo is an embargo that applies to weaponry. It may also include "dual use" items. An arms embargo may serve one or more purposes:# to signal disapproval of behavior by a certain actor,# to maintain neutral standing in an ongoing conflict, or...
against apartheid South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
imposed by Resolution 418, and made it more comprehensive. Resolution 591 sought to clarify vague terms from previous resolutions on the topic.
The Council recognised the struggle of the South African people, calling for the establishment of a democratic state
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
with full civil and political rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
(1948). It also condemned the "racist
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
regime" in South Africa for its repression against opponents of apartheid, killing demonstrators, holding of political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
s and defiance of Security Council and General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
resolutions.
The resolution urged Member States to ensure that components of embargoed items did not reach South Africa through third countries, including spare parts for aircraft and other military equipment belonging to South Africa, and any items which other countries may feel are destined for use by the South African police force
South African Police
The South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
or military. Items included aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, electronic and telecommunications equipment, computers and four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
vehicles. In terms of "arms and related material" from Resolution 418, this included nuclear, strategic and conventional weapon
Conventional weapon
The terms conventional weapons or conventional arms generally refer to weapons that are in relatively wide use that are not weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Conventional weapons include small arms and light weapons, sea and land mines, as well as ...
s, all military and paramilitary police vehicles and equipment and other related material. The Council urged particularly against any cooperation in the nuclear field.
The Council then went on to urge Member States to not receive any imports of arms, ammunition or military vehicles from South Africa, asking those that had not yet done so to put and end to all exchanges and visits, including by government personnel. It also requested Member States, and those who are not a member of the United Nations, to not participate in any activities in the country that may contribute to South Africa's military capability, ensuring national legislation should reflect this. However though they did not agree with apartheid policies some states still cooperated with South Africa; Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the military government of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
provided arms and Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
acted as a third country which goods were delivered. Also, as many UN member states observed the resolution, non-member states, including Taiwan
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, saw a risinng share of its companies operating in South Africa, though it did not necessarily provide weaponry, due to pressure from other states.
Finally, Resolution 591 called on the Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar y de la Guerra is a Peruvian diplomat who served as the fifth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1991. He studied in Colegio San Agustín of Lima, and then at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. In 1995, he ran unsuccessfully...
to report on the progress of the implementation of the current resolution by no later than June 30, 1987.
Though the resolution was adopted unanimously, its rulings were voluntary. The sanctions were lifted under Resolution 919
United Nations Security Council Resolution 919
United Nations Security Council Resolution 919, adopted unanimously on May 25, 1994, after recalling all resolutions on South Africa, in particular resolutions 282 , 418 , 421 , 558 and 591 , the Council welcomed the recent general elections and new government and decided, under Chapter VII of the...
in 1994.
See also
- Academic boycott of South Africa
- Disinvestment from South AfricaDisinvestment from South AfricaDisinvestment from South Africa was first advocated in the 1960s, in protest of South Africa's system of Apartheid, but was not implemented on a significant scale until the mid 1980s...
- Foreign relations of apartheid South AfricaForeign relations of apartheid South AfricaSouth Africa introduced apartheid in 1948, as a systematic extension of pre-existing racial discrimination in the country. As a result, the country became increasingly isolated internationally until apartheid was ended and racial equality introduced in 1993....
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 501 to 600 (1982 – 1987)
- South Africa under apartheid
- Sporting boycott of South AfricaSporting boycott of South AfricaSouth Africa under apartheid was subjected to a variety of international boycotts, including on sporting contacts. There was some debate about whether the aim of the boycott was to end segregation in sport or to end apartheid altogether.-United Nations:...