United Nations Security Council Resolution 579
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
579, adopted unanimously on December 18, 1985, in a meeting called by the United States
, the Council expressed its deep concern at the prevalence in incidents of hostage-taking
having grave consequences for the international community and relations between states.
The Council recalled various General Assembly
and other resolutions, condemning all incidences of hostage-taking and abductions and calling for the immediate safe release of hostages wherever they are. It also affirmed the responsibility of Member States in whose territory hostages are being held to take all appropriate measures to secure the safe release of hostages.
The resolution also asked Member States not party to the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages to become party to it and other treaties. Finally, the Council urged greater cooperation in devising and adopting effective measures in accordance with international law
to facilitate the prosecution, prevention and punishment of all acts of hostage taking as "manifestations of international terrorism
".
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"....
579, adopted unanimously on December 18, 1985, in a meeting called by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Council expressed its deep concern at the prevalence in incidents of hostage-taking
Hostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
having grave consequences for the international community and relations between states.
The Council recalled various 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...
and other resolutions, condemning all incidences of hostage-taking and abductions and calling for the immediate safe release of hostages wherever they are. It also affirmed the responsibility of Member States in whose territory hostages are being held to take all appropriate measures to secure the safe release of hostages.
The resolution also asked Member States not party to the International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages to become party to it and other treaties. Finally, the Council urged greater cooperation in devising and adopting effective measures in accordance with international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
to facilitate the prosecution, prevention and punishment of all acts of hostage taking as "manifestations of international terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
".
See also
- List of hostage crises
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 501 to 600 (1982 – 1987)
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 638United Nations Security Council Resolution 638United Nations Security Council Resolution 638, adopted unanimously on July 31, 1989, after reaffirming resolutions 579 and 618 , the Council expressed its deep concern at the prevalence in incidents of hostage-taking having grave consequences for the international community and relations between...