The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the organ of the United Nations charged with maintaining peace and security among nations. While other organs of the United Nations only make recommendations to member governments, the Security Council has the power to make decisions; which member governments must carry out if they fall under Chapter VII of the under the United Nations Charter. The decisions of the Council are known as United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
A UN member State, is obligated to respect the United Nations Charter and UN members are bound by its articles. Cyprus claims that Turkey violates the charter against Republic of Cyprus. Turkey does not recognize the continued existence of the Republic of Cyprus, as established by the London and Zurich Agreements[1] Turkey refers to the Republic of Cyprus as the "Greek Cypriot administration" or "South Cyprus". [2][3]
In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus, after a military coup staged by the Greek Junta against the lawfully elected Government of Cyprus under President Makarios. The Turkish army subsequently occupied ~38% of the territory of the island which to this day remains de facto divided with "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) proclaimed in 1983 following a UDI by the Turkish Cypriots. The "TRNC" is an illegal entity as per UN Security Council Resolutions UN Security Council Resolution 541 and UN Security Council Resolution 550 and is recognized only by Turkey. The latter has, subsequently, been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for human rights violations in Cyprus.
Cyprus related Resolutions
editResolution | Date | Vote | Concerns |
---|---|---|---|
155 | 23 August 1960 | Adopted unanimously | Sovereign, island nation Republic of Cyprus becomes a United Nations Member. |
186 | 4 March 1964 | Adopted unanimously | Present situation in Cyprus likely to threaten international peace. Calls all member states to refrain from any action that would worsen the situation in the sovereign Republic of Cyprus. Asks the Government of Cyprus to take all additional measures necessary to stop violence and bloodshed in Cyprus.[1]
Recommends the creation, with the consent of the Republic of Cyprus, of a U.N peace keeping force. |
187 | 13 March 1964 | Adopted unanimously | Calls all member states to refrain from any action that would worsen the situation in the sovereign Republic of Cyprus. Noting the progress in regards to the establishment of a UN peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (already en route). |
192 | 20 June 1964 | Adopted unanimously | Calls all member states to comply with resolution 186 and 187. Expresses appreciation to all members that have contributed troops, police, supplies and financial support. With the consent of the Republic of Cyprus extends the presence of UN Force. |
193 | 25 September 1964 | Adopted unanimously | Reaffirms resolutions 186 and 187. Reaffirms the appeal by the President of the Security council worded as follows: "The Security Council has authorized me to make an urgent appeal to the Government of Turkey to cease instantly the bombardment of and the use of military force of any kind against Cyprus [4], and to the Government of Cyprus to order the armed forces under its control to cease firing immediately". |
194 | 25 September 1964 | Adopted unanimously | [5] The council notes with satisfaction the cease fire being observed throughout Cyprus; asks all governments to stop all flights over the territory of the Republic of Cyprus in violation of its sovereignty. Asks all member to comply with resolution 193. Noting that the Republic of Cyprus has indicated its desire that the stationing of UN be extended; extends the presence of the Force. |
198 | 18 December 1964 | Adopted unanimously | Noting with satisfaction that the situation in Cyprus has improved and significant progress has been made. Noting that the Republic of Cyprus has indicated its desire that the stationing of UN be extended; extends the presence of UN Force.[6] |
353 | 20 July 1974 Timeline of the 1974 Invasion of Cyprus | Adopted unanimously | [7] Deeply deploring the outbreak of violence and the continuing bloodshed. Gravely concerned about the situation which has led to a serious threat to international peace and security and which has created a most explosive situation in the whole of Eastern Mediterranean area. Equally concerned about the necessity to restore the constitutional structure of the Republic of Cyprus established and guaranteed by international agreements. Recalling resolution 186 and its subsequent resolutions on this matter:
|
354 | 23 July 1974 | Adopted unanimously | Reaffirming the provisions of its resolution 353, Demands all parties to the present fighting to comply immediately with the cease fire.[8] |
355 | 1 August 1974 | Adopted unanimously | Deeply deplores the fact that members of the peace keeping force have been killed and wounded. |
357 | 14 August 1974 Timeline of the 1974 Invasion of Cyprus | Adopted unanimously | Deeply deploring the resumption of fighting in Cyprus contrary to the provisions of Resolution 353. Reaffirms resolution 353.Decides to remain seized of the situation and on instant call to meet as necessary to consider what more effective measures may be required if the ceasefire is not respected |
358 | 15 August 1974 Timeline of the 1974 Invasion of Cyprus | Adopted unanimously | The Security Council deeply concerned about the continuation of violence and bloodshed in Cyprus; Deeply deploring the non compliance with its resolution 357; recalls resolution 353, 354 and 355. Insists on full implementation of the above by all parties. |
359 | 15 August 1974 | 14-0 (People's Republic of China did not participate in the voting.) | Deeply deplores the fact that members of the peace keeping force have been killed and wounded. Demands that all parties cooperate with the UN in carrying out its tasks, including humanitarian aid. |
360 | 16 August 1974 | 11-0-3 (abstentions: Belarus, Iraq, USSR; People's Republic of China did not participate in the voting) | Formal disproval of military action against Republic of Cyprus Noting that all States have declared their respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic Of Cyprus, Gravely concerned at the deterioration of the situation in Cyprus resulting from the further military operations which constituted a most serious threat to peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean:
|
361 | 30 August 1974 | Adopted unanimously - People's Republic of China did not participate | Asking for Humanitarian aid for the Refugees. Noting that a large number of people in Cyprus have been displaced, calls upon all parties to do everything in their power to alleviate human suffering. Expresses its grave concern at the plight of the refugees as the result of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus. |
364 | 13 December 1974 | Adopted unanimously by 14 to none -1 abstention | In search for peaceful settlement |
365 | 13 December 1974 | Adopted unanimously | Negotiations |
367 | 12 March 1975 | Adopted unanimously | In absence of progress condemns the unilateral decision that declares part of the Republic of Cyprus as "Turkish Federal state" |
370 | 13 June 1975 | Adopted unanimously | After request by the Republic of Cyprus extends the presence of UN Force |
383 | 13 December 1975 | Adopted by 14 to none | Cyprus |
391 | 15 June 1976 | Adopted by 13 to none | UN Peace keeping force restricted access to the occupied Cyprus |
401 | 14 December 1976 | Adopted by 13 to none | UN Peace keeping force restricted access to the occupied Cyprus |
410 | 15 June 1977 | Adopted by 14 to none | UN Peace keeping force still restricted access to the occupied part of Cyprus |
414 | 15 September 1977 | Adopted unanimously | Expresses concern at the lack of progress of intercommunal talks |
422 | 15 December 1977 | Adopted unanimously | Expresses concern at the lack of progress of intercommunal talks |
430 | 16 June 1978 | Adopted unanimously - People's Republic of China did not participate | Extends the stationing in Cyprus |
440 | 27 November 1978 | Adopted unanimously | Deeply concerned at the lack of progress in the solution of the Cyprus issue |
443 | 14 December 1978 | Adopted unanimously | Deeply concerned at the lack of progress in the solution of the Cyprus issue |
451 | 15 June 1979 | Adopted unanimously | Urges parties to proceed talks within the framework of the ten point agreement without delay |
458 | 14 December 1979 | Adopted unanimously | Urges parties to proceed talks within the framework of the ten point agreement without delay |
472 | 13 June 1980 | Urges parties to proceed talks | |
482 | 11 December 1980 | [9] | |
486 | 4 June 1981 | [10] | |
495 | 14 December 1981 | [11] | |
510 | 15 June 1982 | [12] | |
526 | 14 December 1982 | [13] | |
534 | 15 June 1983 | [14] | |
541 | 18 November 1983 | [15] | |
544 | 15 December 1983 | [16] | |
550 | 11 May 1984 | [17] | |
553 | 15 June 1984 | [18] | |
559 | 14 December 1984 | [19] | |
565 | 14 June 1985 | [20] | |
578 | 12 December 1985 | [21] | |
585 | 13 June 1986 | [22] | |
593 | 11 December 1986 | [23] | |
597 | 12 June 1987 | [24] | |
604 | 14 December 1987 | [25] | |
614 | 15 June 1988 | [26] | |
625 | 15 December 1988 | [27] | |
634 | 9 June 1989 | [28] | |
646 | 14 December 1989 | [29] | |
649 | 12 March 1990 | [30] | |
657 | 15 June 1990 | [31] | |
682 | 21 December 1990 | [32] | |
697 | 14 June 1990 | [33] | |
698 | 14 June 1990 | [34] | |
716 | 11 October 1991 | [35] | |
723 | 12 December 1991 | [36] | |
750 | 10 April 1992 | [37] | |
774 | 26 August 1992 | [38] | |
789 | 25 November 1992 | [39] | |
796 | 14 December 1992 | [40] | |
831 | 27 May 1992 | [41] | |
839 | 11 June 1992 | [42] | |
889 | 15 December 1993 | [43] | |
902 | 11 March 1994 | On achieving of an agreement on the confidence-building measures relating to Varosha and Nicosia International Airport, Cyprus [44] | |
927 | 15 June 1994 | On extension of the mandate of the UN Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus and implementation of confidence-building measures between the parties in Cyprus.[45] | |
939 | 29 July 1994 |
Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly
edit- 2077 (XX) 1965
- 3212 (XXIX) 1974
- 3395 (XXX) 1975
- 31/12 1976
- 32/15 1977
- 33/15 1978
- 34/30 1979
- 37/253 1983
On Missing Persons
edit- 3450 (XXX) 1975
- 32/128 1977
- 33/172 1978
- 36/164 1981
- 37/181 1982
On Human Rights
edit- 4 (XXXI) 1975
- 4 (XXXII) 1976
- 17 (XXXIV) 1978
- 1987/50 1987