United Nations Security Council Resolution 820
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
820, adopted on April 17, 1993, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the topic for a lasting peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the region, the Council discussed the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and comprehensive steps to ensure its implementation.
was unacceptable and that all displaced persons should be returned to their homes. It noted Resolution 808
(1993) in which proposals for an international tribunal
were confirmed, further expressing its alarm at the condition of the victims of the conflict.
The resolution went on to confirm the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its acceptance by two of the Bosnian parties, however concern was expressed over the rejection by the Bosnian Serb party of the Agreement on Interim Arrangements. All sides were requested to observe a ceasefire
and engage in no further hostilities, respecting the right of the United Nations Protection Force
(UNPROFOR) and international humanitarian agencies to have unimpeded access to the entire country and ensure the safety of their staff. Violations of international humanitarian law
were condemned, in particular ethnic cleansing and the detention and rape
of women. All statements made under duress
were declared null and void
and that all persons displaced have the right to return home.
The Security Council declared its intention to help implement the peace plan and asked the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
to report back with detailed proposals including the effective control of heavy weapons within 9 days of the adoption of the current resolution, requesting Member States to co-operate with him.
Resolution 820 was adopted by 13 votes to none and two abstention
s from China
and Russia
.
, then decided that the measures listed below were to be implemented within 9 days unless the Bosnian Serbs signed the peace plan and ceased their attacks, noting that if they should continue, the measures would take effect immediately. The measures included:
The Council confirmed that the above measures do not apply to UNPROFOR, the International Conference on the former Yugoslavia
and European Community Monitoring Mission. It also announced its attention that the measures would be reconsidered once the Bosnian Serb party co-operates in good faith with the United Nations peace plan.
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"....
820, adopted on April 17, 1993, after reaffirming all previous resolutions on the topic for a lasting peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and the region, the Council discussed the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and comprehensive steps to ensure its implementation.
Contents
The Council reaffirmed that the practice of ethnic cleansingEthnic cleansing
Ethnic cleansing is a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic orreligious group from certain geographic areas....
was unacceptable and that all displaced persons should be returned to their homes. It noted Resolution 808
United Nations Security Council Resolution 808
United Nations Security Council Resolution 808, adopted unanimously on February 22, 1993, after reaffirming Resolution 713 and subsequent resolutions on the situation in former Yugoslavia, including resolutions 764 , 771 and 780 , the Council, after stating its determination to put an end to...
(1993) in which proposals for an international tribunal
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
The International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991, more commonly referred to as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia or ICTY, is a...
were confirmed, further expressing its alarm at the condition of the victims of the conflict.
The resolution went on to confirm the peace plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its acceptance by two of the Bosnian parties, however concern was expressed over the rejection by the Bosnian Serb party of the Agreement on Interim Arrangements. All sides were requested to observe a ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
and engage in no further hostilities, respecting the right of the United Nations Protection Force
United Nations Protection Force
The United Nations Protection Force ', was the first United Nations peacekeeping force in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav wars. It existed between the beginning of UN involvement in February 1992, and its restructuring into other forces in March 1995...
(UNPROFOR) and international humanitarian agencies to have unimpeded access to the entire country and ensure the safety of their staff. Violations of international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
were condemned, in particular ethnic cleansing and the detention and rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
of women. All statements made under duress
Duress
In jurisprudence, duress or coercion refers to a situation whereby a person performs an act as a result of violence, threat or other pressure against the person. Black's Law Dictionary defines duress as "any unlawful threat or coercion used... to induce another to act [or not act] in a manner...
were declared null and void
Void (law)
In law, void means of no legal effect. An action, document or transaction which is void is of no legal effect whatsoever: an absolute nullity - the law treats it as if it had never existed or happened....
and that all persons displaced have the right to return home.
The Security Council declared its intention to help implement the peace plan and asked the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali is an Egyptian politician and diplomat who was the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996...
to report back with detailed proposals including the effective control of heavy weapons within 9 days of the adoption of the current resolution, requesting Member States to co-operate with him.
Resolution 820 was adopted by 13 votes to none and two abstention
Abstention
Abstention is a term in election procedure for when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot. Abstention must be contrasted with "blank vote", in which a voter casts a ballot willfully made invalid by...
s from China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and 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...
.
Sanctions
The Council, acting 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...
, then decided that the measures listed below were to be implemented within 9 days unless the Bosnian Serbs signed the peace plan and ceased their attacks, noting that if they should continue, the measures would take effect immediately. The measures included:
- the import, export and transhipment through protected areas and areas controlled by the Bosnian Serbs would only be permitted by the governments of CroatiaCroatiaCroatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
or Bosnia and Herzegovina, excluding humanitarian aidHumanitarian aidHumanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
; - all States should, in implementing resolutions 757United Nations Security Council Resolution 757United Nations Security Council Resolution 757, adopted on May 30, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 713 , 721 , 724 , 727 , 740 743 , 749 and 752 , the Council condemned the failure of the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to implement Resolution 752.After demanding the...
(1992), 760United Nations Security Council Resolution 760United Nations Security Council Resolution 760, adopted unanimously on June 18, 1992, after reaffirming resolutions 752 , 757 and 758 which brought attention to the need for humanitarian aid in the former Yugoslavia, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, exempted...
(1992), 787United Nations Security Council Resolution 787United Nations Security Council Resolution 787, adopted on November 16, 1992, after reaffirming Resolution 713 and all subsequent resolutions on the topic, the Council called upon the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to consider the draft outline constitution as a basis for negotiating a...
(1992) and the current resolution, take steps to prevent diversion of commodities and products destined for other places, to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro); - demands full co-operation with UNPROFOR with immigrationImmigrationImmigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
and customs control functions derived in 769United Nations Security Council Resolution 769United Nations Security Council Resolution 769, adopted unanimously on August 7, 1992, after reaffirming Resolution 743 and all subsequent resolutions relating to the United Nations Protection Force , the Council authorised enlargements in the strength and mandate of UNPROFOR to "enable the Force...
(1992); - all navigation on the DanubeDanubeThe Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
had to be authorised by the Committee established in 724United Nations Security Council Resolution 724United Nations Security Council Resolution 724, adopted unanimously on December 15, 1991, after reaffirming resolutions 713 and 721 and noting a report by the Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar on the situation in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Council agreed to carry...
(1991); - prevent vessels owned or controlled by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, or those in violation of Security Council resolutions, from passing through river installations;
- countries on the banks of the Danube are responsible for ensuring that shipping is in compliance with previous resolutions;
- the importance of the measures taken and any violations must be reported and penalties issued if necessary;
- states holding funds from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) should freeze them;
- prohibits the transport of all commodities and products across the land borders or to or from the ports of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, excluding medical and food supplies, humanitarian aid and those on approved by the Committee;
- states neighbouring the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia should prevent the passage of all freight vehicles and rolling stock onto or out of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia except for a limited amount of crossing approved by the Committee;
- all vessels, vehicles and aircraft suspected of violating the resolutions pending investigation were to be held, with costs passed on to the owners;
- prohibit the provision of services, except for telecommunications, postal servicesMailMail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
or legal servicesLegal aidLegal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.A number of...
; - all commercial shipping in the territorial watersTerritorial watersTerritorial waters, or a territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most from the baseline of a coastal state...
off Serbia and Montenegro was banned.
The Council confirmed that the above measures do not apply to UNPROFOR, the International Conference on the former Yugoslavia
Arbitration Commission of the Peace Conference on the former Yugoslavia
The Arbitration Commission of the Conference on Yugoslavia was a commission set up by the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community on 27 August 1991 to provide the Conference on Yugoslavia with legal advice...
and European Community Monitoring Mission. It also announced its attention that the measures would be reconsidered once the Bosnian Serb party co-operates in good faith with the United Nations peace plan.
See also
- Breakup of Yugoslavia
- Bosnian GenocideBosnian GenocideThe term Bosnian Genocide refers to either the genocide committed by Bosnian Serb forces in Srebrenica in 1995 or the ethnic cleansing campaign that took place throughout areas controlled by the Bosnian Serb Army during the 1992–1995 Bosnian War....
- Bosnian WarBosnian WarThe Bosnian War or the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and December 1995. The war involved several sides...
- Croatian War of IndependenceCroatian War of IndependenceThe Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 801 to 900 (1993 – 1994)
- Yugoslav WarsYugoslav warsThe Yugoslav Wars were a series of wars, fought throughout the former Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995. The wars were complex: characterized by bitter ethnic conflicts among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia, mostly between Serbs on the one side and Croats and Bosniaks on the other; but also...