United Nations Security Council Resolution 1478

UN Security Council
Resolution 1478
UN Security Council ; Resolution 1478
	Liberian forest
Date	6 May 2003
Meeting no.	4,751
Code	S/RES/1478 (Document)
Subject	The situation in Liberia
Voting summary	15 voted for; None voted against; None abstained;
Result	Adopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members	China ; France ; Russia ; United Kingdom ; United States ;
Non-permanent members	Angola ; Bulgaria ; Chile ; Cameroon ; Germany ; Guinea ; Mexico ; Pakistan ; Spain ; Syria ;

Last updated February 07, 2022

United Nations Security Council resolution 1478, adopted unanimously on 6 May 2003, after recalling resolutions 1132 (1997), 1171 (1998), 1306 (2000), 1343 (2001), 1385 (2001), 1395 (2002), 1400 (2002), 1408 (2002), 1458 (2003), 1467 (2003) and others on the situation in Liberia, the Council extended sanctions against the Liberian government for an additional period of twelve months until 7 May 2004 and imposed a ban on imports of its timber for ten months.^[1]

Resolution

Observations

The Security Council expressed concern at the findings of the investigative panel about the Liberian government, the Guinean-backed Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and other armed groups concerning breaches of Resolution 1343. It welcomed the launch of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme on 1 January 2003 and the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and International Contact Group on Liberia to bring about peace and stability in the region, particularly the appointment of Nigerian President Atiku Abubakar as mediator in Liberia. Furthermore, the Council noted positive progress the Rabat Process had made in the subregion and urged members of the Mano River Union to reinvigorate the process, while civil society initiatives were also encouraged.

The preamble of the resolution additionally urged all states in the region, particularly Liberia, to co-operate with the Special Court for Sierra Leone. It remained concerned at the humanitarian situation, violations of human rights and serious instability in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire.^[3] Support offered by the Liberian government to rebels in the civil war in Côte d'Ivoire and to the Revolutionary United Front rebels in Sierra Leone was determined to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region.

Acts

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council decided that the Liberian government had not complied with Resolution 1343, and was concerned that a new aircraft registry remained inactive. It stressed that demands to comply with Resolution 1343 were to help build peace and security in Sierra Leone and the region. All states in the region were called upon to participate in regional peace initiatives, while Liberia and the LURD were urged to enter into bilateral negotiations aimed at finalising a ceasefire.^[4] Exemptions to the travel ban imposed on Liberian officials would be granted in cases where such travel would assist in the resolution of conflict in the region. Both the Liberian government and LURD were called upon to allow unimpeded and safe access to United Nations humanitarian personnel and those of non-governmental organisations and to end the use of child soldiers, sexual violence and torture. Additionally, all states in the region were asked to refrain from supporting armed groups in nearby countries, and in the event of non-compliance, further measures would be considered to ensure compliance.

The resolution extended existing international sanctions against Liberia for another year and would be extended or terminated if necessary. The Liberian government was asked to establish a certificate of origin regime for rough diamonds, while it was reaffirmed that diamonds controlled by the government would be exempt from previous restrictions. Considering that audits commissioned by the Liberian government did not demonstrate revenue from the Liberia Ship and Corporate Registry and timber industry was used for legitimate purposes, the Council imposed a ban on imports of Liberian timber for ten months.^[5] The ban would come into force on 7 July 2003 unless decided otherwise and would be reviewed before the end of the period.^[6] The socio-economic impact of the sanctions would also be considered by 7 September 2003.

The Secretary-General Kofi Annan was requested to submit reports on the socio-economic implications of the sanctions and, along with ECOWAS, on compliance of the Liberian government with the Security Council's demands and their implementation. States in the region were called upon to strengthen measures against the proliferation of small arms, light weapons and mercenary activities. Furthermore, the secretary-general was requested to an expert panel consisting of six members to conduct a follow-up mission to Liberia and neighbouring states on the Liberian government's compliance; investigate the illegal use of revenues; assess the socio-economic impact of the sanctions; and report with observations and recommendations to the council by 7 October 2003.

The Security Council urged states to comply in the implementation of previous resolutions and impose a travel ban on LURD members. A list of maritime and air companies acting in violation of Resolution 1343 would be listed and ECOWAS states were requested to assist in the identification of such aircraft and vessels. A review of the measures would be conducted before 7 November 2003 and every six months thereafter.

Related Research Articles

The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD), emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), emerged in the south, and by June–July 2003, Charles Taylor's government controlled only a third of the country.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1071, adopted unanimously on 30 August 1996, after recalling all resolutions on the situation in Liberia, particularly Resolution 1059 (1996), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) until 30 November 1996 and discussed matters relating to UNOMIL.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1132, adopted on 8 October 1997, after expressing concern at the situation in Sierra Leone, the council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, imposed an oil and arms embargo on the country.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1306, adopted on 5 July 2000, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, particularly resolutions 1132 (1997), 1171 (1998) and 1299 (2000), the Council decided to prohibit the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from the country. The rebel Revolutionary United Front controlled 90% of the diamond-producing areas in Sierra Leone and was using diamonds to finance its operations.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1343, adopted unanimously on 7 March 2001, after recalling resolutions on Sierra Leone and the region, including resolutions 1132 (1997), 1171 (1998) and 1306 (2000), the Council demanded that Liberia end its support for rebels in Sierra Leone and threatened the imposition of wide-ranging sanctions unless the country complied with the Security Council.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1346, adopted unanimously on 30 March 2001, after recalling previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for a further six months and increased the size of its military component.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1370, adopted unanimously on 18 September 2001, after recalling resolutions 1270 (1999), 1289 (2000), 1313 (2000), 1317 (2000), 1321 (2000) and 1346 (2001) on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for a period of six months until 31 March 2002, beginning from 30 September 2001.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1395, adopted unanimously on 27 February 2002, after reaffirming Resolution 1343 (2001) which imposed sanctions on Liberia for support of rebels during the civil war in Sierra Leone, the Council re-established an expert panel to monitor compliance with the restrictions relating to embargoes on arms and unofficial rough diamonds from Sierra Leone.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1408, adopted unanimously on 6 May 2002, after recalling resolutions 1132 (1997), 1171 (1998), 1306 (2000), 1343 (2001), 1385 (2001), 1395 (2002) and 1400 (2002) on the situation in Sierra Leone, the council extended sanctions against Liberia for its support of rebels in the civil war in Sierra Leone.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1436, adopted unanimously on 24 September 2002, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for a further six months beginning on 30 September 2002.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1458, adopted unanimously on 28 January 2003, after reaffirming Resolution 1408 (2002) on the situation in Liberia, and recognising the importance of implementing Resolution 1343 (2001), the Council re-established an expert panel to monitor the implementation of sanctions against the Liberian government including an arms embargo, travel ban for officials, and prohibitions on the import of its rough diamonds.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1497, adopted on 1 August 2003, after expressing concern at the situation in Liberia, the Council authorised a multinational force to intervene in the civil war to support the implementation of a ceasefire agreement using "all necessary measures".

United Nations Security Council resolution 1508, adopted unanimously on 19 September 2003, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for six months until 31 March 2004.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1521, adopted unanimously on 22 December 2003, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Liberia and West Africa, the council established a monitoring body to oversee international sanctions against Liberia. It was the final Security Council resolution adopted in 2003.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1537, adopted unanimously on 30 March 2004, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) for six months until 30 September 2004 with a residual force remaining in the country until June 2005.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1940, adopted unanimously on September 29, 2010, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, including resolutions 1132 (1997) and the 1171 (1998), the Council lifted an arms embargo and remaining sanctions against the country imposed in 1997.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1941, adopted unanimously on September 29, 2010, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, particularly Resolution 1886 (2009), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) until September 15, 2011.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1562 was adopted unanimously on 17 September 2004. After recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Sierra Leone, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) residual presence for a period of nine months until 30 June 2005.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1626, adopted unanimously on 19 September 2005, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, particularly resolutions 1509 (2003), 1610 (2005) and 1620 (2005), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) until 31 March 2006 and authorised the deployment of 250 troops to Sierra Leone to protect the Special Court.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1689, adopted unanimously on June 20, 2006, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Liberia and West Africa, the Council decided to continue sanctions against the import of diamonds from the country for six months, though similar restrictions relating to timber imports were lifted.

References

↑ "Security Council extends sanctions against Liberia until 7 May 2004". United Nations. 6 May 2003.
↑ Kamara, Thomas S. (2003). "Liberia: Civil War and Regional Conflict" (PDF). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees : 1–20. ISSN 1020-8429.
↑ Gowlland-Debbas, Vera; Tehindrazanarivelo, Djacoba Liva (2004). National implementation of United Nations sanctions: a comparative study. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 978-90-04-14090-5.
↑ "UN extends Liberian sanctions". BBC News. 6 May 2003.
↑ Brzoska, Michael; Lopez, George A. (2009). Putting teeth in the tiger: improving the effectiveness of arms embargoes. Emerald Group Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-84855-202-9.
↑ Blundell, Arthur G. (28 December 2003). "A New Environment for Liberia: A Road Map for the Forest Sector" (PDF). USAID.

External links

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Text of the Resolution at undocs.org

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[un-1] "Security Council extends sanctions against Liberia until 7 May 2004". United Nations. 6 May 2003.

[2] Kamara, Thomas S. (2003). "Liberia: Civil War and Regional Conflict" (PDF). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees : 1–20. ISSN 1020-8429.

[3] Gowlland-Debbas, Vera; Tehindrazanarivelo, Djacoba Liva (2004). National implementation of United Nations sanctions: a comparative study. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 978-90-04-14090-5.

[4] "UN extends Liberian sanctions". BBC News. 6 May 2003.

[5] Brzoska, Michael; Lopez, George A. (2009). Putting teeth in the tiger: improving the effectiveness of arms embargoes. Emerald Group Publishing. p. 107. ISBN 978-1-84855-202-9.

[6] Blundell, Arthur G. (28 December 2003). "A New Environment for Liberia: A Road Map for the Forest Sector" (PDF). USAID.

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