United Nations Security Council Resolution 1638
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1638, adopted unanimously on November 11, 2005, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Liberia
, Sierra Leone
and West Africa
, the Council included the apprehension, detention and transfer to the Special Court for Sierra Leone
of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia
(UNMIL).
Russia
n ambassador Andrey Denisov said the resolution would send a "strong signal" to Charles Taylor that he was to be arrested and stand trial.
and its President, Olusegun Obasanjo, for efforts to restore peace and stability in Liberia and West Africa. It acknowledged that the country had acted with international backing when it gave refuge to Charles Taylor temporarily. At the same time, the Council determined that Taylor's return to Liberia would threaten the stability of the country and that he remained under the indictment of the Special Court. Nigeria had refused to hand over Charles Taylor as it would contravene the terms of the deal under which he stepped down.
, allowed for UNMIL to apprehend and detain Charles Taylor in the event he returned to Liberia, and to facilitate his transfer to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
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"....
1638, adopted unanimously on November 11, 2005, after recalling all previous resolutions on the situation in Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, the Council included the apprehension, detention and transfer to the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone is an independent judicial body set up to "try those who bear greatest responsibility" for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996 during the Sierra Leone Civil War...
of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia
United Nations Mission in Liberia
The United Nations Mission in Liberia is a peace-keeping force established in September 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in Liberia following the resignation of President Charles Taylor and the conclusion of the Second Liberian Civil War....
(UNMIL).
Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n ambassador Andrey Denisov said the resolution would send a "strong signal" to Charles Taylor that he was to be arrested and stand trial.
Observations
The Council began by expressing appreciation to NigeriaNigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and its President, Olusegun Obasanjo, for efforts to restore peace and stability in Liberia and West Africa. It acknowledged that the country had acted with international backing when it gave refuge to Charles Taylor temporarily. At the same time, the Council determined that Taylor's return to Liberia would threaten the stability of the country and that he remained under the indictment of the Special Court. Nigeria had refused to hand over Charles Taylor as it would contravene the terms of the deal under which he stepped down.
Acts
The resolution, enacted under Chapter VII of the United Nations CharterChapter VII of the United Nations Charter
Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter sets out the UN Security Council's powers to maintain peace. It allows the Council to "determine the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression" and to take military and nonmilitary action to "restore international peace...
, allowed for UNMIL to apprehend and detain Charles Taylor in the event he returned to Liberia, and to facilitate his transfer to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
See also
- Liberian general election, 2005
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1601 to 1700 (2005 – 2006)
- Sierra Leone Civil WarSierra Leone Civil WarThe Sierra Leone Civil War began on 23 March 1991 when the Revolutionary United Front , with support from the special forces of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia , intervened in Sierra Leone in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Momoh government...
- United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra LeoneUnited Nations Integrated Office in Sierra LeoneThe United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone was established by Resolution 1620 of the United Nations Security Council in 2005 to begin operations in 2006 as a follow up to United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone which helped end the Sierra Leone Civil War.It was extended twice and ended...