UN Security Council Resolution 554 | ||
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Date | 17 August 1984 | |
Meeting no. | 2,551 | |
Code | S/RES/554 (Document) | |
Subject | South Africa | |
Voting summary |
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Result | Adopted | |
Security Council composition | ||
Permanent members | ||
Non-permanent members | ||
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United Nations Security Council resolution 554, adopted on 17 August 1984, after recalling 473 (1980), the Council condemned the 1984 general election in South Africa and the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act (110 of 1983). [1]
The Council stated that the constitution was against the United Nations Charter and declared the elections and constitution both null and void as it would further entrench minority rule in the country. The resolution also urged Member States and international organisations not to accord recognition to the elections, stating that the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of democracy in South Africa would lead to a just and lasting solution to the "explosive situation" in the country.
The resolution, which required the Secretary-General to monitor its implementation, was approved by 13 votes to none against, while the United Kingdom and United States abstained from voting.
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The Tricameral Parliament, officially the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, was the legislature of South Africa between 1984 and 1994, established by the South African Constitution of 1983, which gave a limited political voice to the country's Coloured and Indian population groups. The majority Black population group was however still excluded, their interests notionally represented in the governments of the black homelands, or "bantustans", of which they were formally citizens. As these institutions were largely politically impotent, its principal effect was to further entrench the political power of the White section of the South African population.
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United Nations Security Council resolution 566, adopted on 19 June 1985, after recalling resolutions 269 (1969), 276 (1970), 301 (1971), 385 (1976), 431 (1978), 432 (1978), 435 (1978), 439 (1978), 532 (1983) and 539 (1983), the Council expressed concern at the tension and instability caused the continued occupation of Namibia by South Africa, noting the apartheid policies implemented in the territory and that the territory was used as a springboard for attacks on other southern African countries.
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United Nations Security Council resolution 772, adopted unanimously on 17 August 1992, after recalling Resolution 765 (1992) concerning the Boipatong massacre in South Africa and a report from the Secretary-General, the Council authorised Boutros Boutros-Ghali to deploy observers to the country after concerns raised in the report, known as the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa.
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