United Nations Security Council Resolution 610
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
610, adopted unanimously on March 16, 1988, after reaffirming resolutions 503
(1982), 525
(1982), 533
(1983) and 547
(1984) expressing concern at the imposed death sentences
of anti-apartheid activists, the Council noted the deteriorating situation in South Africa
. Resolution 610 concerned the Sharpeville Six
, accused of the murder of the Deputy Mayor of Sharpeville on December 12, 1985.
The resolution expressed deep concern at the decision of the "Pretoria
regime" to execute the Sharpeville Six on March 18, 1988 despite worldwide appeal, noting that the court proceedings showed that none of the six suspects was found to have killed the Councillor, but all were only convicted as they had a "common purpose" with the actual perpetrators.
Resolution 610 urged the Government of South Africa
to commute the sentences and stay execution, urging other Member States, acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter
, to save the lives of the six people. The following day after the resolution was adopted, a one month stay of execution was granted by a South African Court, and the six appealed.
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"....
610, adopted unanimously on March 16, 1988, after reaffirming resolutions 503
United Nations Security Council Resolution 503
United Nations Security Council Resolution 503, adopted unanimously on April 9, 1982, after reaffirming Resolution 473 , the Council expressed its concern at the death sentences issued by the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court of South Africa against Ncimbithi Johnson Lubisi,...
(1982), 525
United Nations Security Council Resolution 525
United Nations Security Council Resolution 525, adopted unanimously on December 7, 1982, after hearing of the death sentences on Anthony Tsotsobe, Johannes Shabangu and David Moise, the Council expressed its concern at the sentences passed by the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, in addition...
(1982), 533
United Nations Security Council Resolution 533
United Nations Security Council Resolution 533, adopted unanimously on June 7, 1983, after reaffirming Resolution 525 , the Council expressed its concern at the death sentences issued to Thelle Simon Mogoerane, Jerry Semano Mosololi and Marcus Thabo Motaung, all members of the African National...
(1983) and 547
United Nations Security Council Resolution 547
United Nations Security Council Resolution 547, adopted unanimously on January 13, 1984, after reaffirming previous resolutions on the topic, the Council expressed its concern at the death sentences issued to Malesela Benjamin Maloise, all members of the African National Congress.The resolution...
(1984) expressing concern at the imposed death sentences
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
of anti-apartheid activists, the Council noted the deteriorating situation in 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...
. Resolution 610 concerned the Sharpeville Six
Sharpeville Six
The Sharpeville Six were six South African protesters convicted of the murder of Deputy Mayor of Sharpeville, Kuzwayo Jacob Dlamini, and sentenced to death....
, accused of the murder of the Deputy Mayor of Sharpeville on December 12, 1985.
The resolution expressed deep concern at the decision of the "Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
regime" to execute the Sharpeville Six on March 18, 1988 despite worldwide appeal, noting that the court proceedings showed that none of the six suspects was found to have killed the Councillor, but all were only convicted as they had a "common purpose" with the actual perpetrators.
Resolution 610 urged the Government of South Africa
Government of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a nearly unique system that combines aspects of parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa...
to commute the sentences and stay execution, urging other Member States, acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter
United Nations Charter
The Charter of the United Nations is the foundational treaty of the international organization called the United Nations. It was signed at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in San Francisco, United States, on 26 June 1945, by 50 of the 51 original member countries...
, to save the lives of the six people. The following day after the resolution was adopted, a one month stay of execution was granted by a South African Court, and the six appealed.
See also
- Internal resistance to South African apartheidInternal resistance to South African apartheidInternal resistance to the apartheid system in South Africa came from several sectors of society and saw the creation of organisations dedicated variously to peaceful protests, passive resistance and armed insurrection. It came from both black activists like Steve Biko and Desmond Tutu as well as...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 601 to 700 (1987 – 1991)
- South Africa under apartheid
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 615United Nations Security Council Resolution 615In United Nations Security Council Resolution 615, adopted unanimously on June 17, 1988, after reaffirming resolutions 503 , 525 , 533 , 547 and 610 expressing concern at the imposed death sentences of anti-apartheid activists, the Council noted the deteriorating situation in South Africa.The...