United Nations Security Council Resolution 615
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In United Nations
Security Council Resolution
615, adopted unanimously on June 17, 1988, after reaffirming resolutions 503
(1982), 525
(1982), 533
(1983), 547
(1984) and 610
(1988) expressing concern at the imposed death sentences
of anti-apartheid activists, the Council noted the deteriorating situation in South Africa
.
The resolution expressed deep concern at the restrictions on eighteen anti-apartheid activists and organisations, as well as the detention of church leaders on February 29, 1988, all of which it said "undermined the possibilities of a peaceful resolution of the South African situation".
Regarding the Sharpeville Six
, the Council expressed its concern at the rejection of an appeal by them and a refusal to reopen the case at the Pretoria
Supreme Court
on June 13, 1988. The resolution called on the Government of South Africa
to commute the death sentences
of the six people, imposed in defiance of world opinion the Council said, urging other Member States to use their influence to pressure South Africa in order to save the lives six anti-apartheid activists.
Pressure from abroad finally led to sentences of all six being commuted to 18–25 years in prison by President Pieter Willem Botha
, and between 1991 and 1992 they were all released from prison.
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"....
615, adopted unanimously on June 17, 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), 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) and 610
United Nations Security Council Resolution 610
United Nations Security Council Resolution 610, adopted unanimously on March 16, 1988, after reaffirming resolutions 503 , 525 , 533 and 547 expressing concern at the imposed death sentences of anti-apartheid activists, the Council noted the deteriorating situation in South Africa...
(1988) 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...
.
The resolution expressed deep concern at the restrictions on eighteen anti-apartheid activists and organisations, as well as the detention of church leaders on February 29, 1988, all of which it said "undermined the possibilities of a peaceful resolution of the South African situation".
Regarding 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....
, the Council expressed its concern at the rejection of an appeal by them and a refusal to reopen the case at 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...
Supreme Court
Supreme Court of South Africa
The Supreme Court of South Africa was a superior court of law in South Africa from 1910 to 1996. It was made up of various provincial and local divisions with jurisdiction over specific geographical areas, and an Appellate Division which was the highest appellate court in the country...
on June 13, 1988. The resolution called on 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 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 the six people, imposed in defiance of world opinion the Council said, urging other Member States to use their influence to pressure South Africa in order to save the lives six anti-apartheid activists.
Pressure from abroad finally led to sentences of all six being commuted to 18–25 years in prison by President Pieter Willem Botha
Pieter Willem Botha
Pieter Willem Botha , commonly known as "P. W." and Die Groot Krokodil , was the prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and the first executive state president from 1984 to 1989.First elected to Parliament in 1948, Botha was for eleven years head of the Afrikaner National Party and the...
, and between 1991 and 1992 they were all released from prison.
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