United Nations Security Council Resolution 423
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In United Nations
Security Council Resolution 423, adopted on March 14, 1978, after recalling its resolutions on Southern Rhodesia
, particularly 415
(1977), the Council condemned attempts by the "illegal racist regime
" in Southern Rhodesia to retain power and prevent the independence of Zimbabwe
. It also criticised the country's executions of political prisoner
s and actions against neighbouring countries.
The Council declared that any settlement by the regime in Southern Rhodesia would be illegal and asked other Member States not to offer recognition of it. It also called on the "illegal regime" to transfer power and hold free and fair elections, requiring the Government of the United Kingdom
to take all measures necessary to bring about an end to the regime.
The resolution then called on all parties concerned to enter into negotiations to achieve genuine decolonisation of the territory. Finally, Resolution 423 called on the Secretary-General to monitor the situation and report back no later than April 15, 1978.
The resolution was adopted by 10 votes to none; Canada
, France
, West Germany
, the United Kingdom
and United States
abstained
.
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 423, adopted on March 14, 1978, after recalling its resolutions on Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
, particularly 415
United Nations Security Council Resolution 415
United Nations Security Council Resolution 415, adopted on September 29, 1977, noted a letter and an invitation from the United Kingdom to the President of the Security Council to appoint a representative to "enter into discussions with the British Resident Commissioner designate and with all the...
(1977), the Council condemned attempts by the "illegal racist regime
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (Rhodesia)
The Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia from the United Kingdom was signed on November 11, 1965, by the administration of Ian Smith, whose Rhodesian Front party opposed black majority rule in the then British colony. Although it declared independence from the United Kingdom it...
" in Southern Rhodesia to retain power and prevent the independence of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. It also criticised the country's executions 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 actions against neighbouring countries.
The Council declared that any settlement by the regime in Southern Rhodesia would be illegal and asked other Member States not to offer recognition of it. It also called on the "illegal regime" to transfer power and hold free and fair elections, requiring the Government of the United Kingdom
Government of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Government is the central government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Government is led by the Prime Minister, who selects all the remaining Ministers...
to take all measures necessary to bring about an end to the regime.
The resolution then called on all parties concerned to enter into negotiations to achieve genuine decolonisation of the territory. Finally, Resolution 423 called on the Secretary-General to monitor the situation and report back no later than April 15, 1978.
The resolution was adopted by 10 votes to none; Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
.
See also
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 401 to 500 (1976 – 1982)
- Rhodesian Bush WarRhodesian Bush WarThe Rhodesian Bush War – also known as the Second Chimurenga or the Zimbabwe War of Liberation – was a civil war which took place between July 1964 and December 1979 in the unrecognised country of Rhodesia...