United Nations Security Council Resolution 473 – South Africa

Resolution 473 (1980) of 13 June 1980

The Security Council,

Taking note of the letter dated 29 May 1980 from the Charge of affairs a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations contained in document S/13969,M

Gravely concerned by the aggravation of the situation in South Africa, in particular the repression and the killings of schoolchildren protesting against apartheid, as well as the repression directed against churchmen and workers,

Noting also with grave concern that the racist regime has intensified further a series of arbitrary trials under its racist and repressive laws providing for death sentences,

Convinced that this situation has been brought about by the continued imposition by the South African racist regime of apartheid in defiance of resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions on the question of South Africa, in particular resolutions 392 (1976), 417 (1977) and 418 (1977),

Recalling further its resolutions 454 (1979) and 466 (1980), in which it condemned South Africa for the flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighbouring African States,

Reaffirming its recognition of the legitimacy of the struggle of the South African people for the elimination of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society in accordance with their inalienable human and political rights as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Taking note of the extensive demands within and outside South Africa for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners,

Gravely concerned about reports of supply of arms and military equipment to South Africa in contravention of resolution 418 (1977),

Taking note of the letter of 27 March 1980 from the Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid concerning an oil embargo against South Africa,

Mindful of its responsibilities under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security,

1. Strongly condemns the racist regime of South Africa for further aggravating the situation and its massive repression against all opponents of apartheid, for killings of peaceful demonstrators and political de-tainees and for its defiance of General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 417 (1977);

2. Expresses its profound sympathy with the victims of this violence;

3. Reaffirms that the policy of apartheid is a crime against the conscience and dignity of mankind and is incompatible with the rights and dignity of man, the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and seriously disturbs inter-national peace and security;

4. Recognizes the legitimacy of the struggle of the South African people for the elimination of apartheid and for the establishment of a democratic society in which all the people of South Africa as a whole, irrespective of race, colour, or creed, will enjoy equal and full political .and other rights and participate freely in the determination of their destiny;

5. Calls upon the Government of South Africa urgently to end violence against the African people and to take urgent measures to eliminate apartheid;

6. Expresses its hope that the inevitable change in the racial policies of South Africa can be attained through peaceful means and declares, however, that the violence and repression by the South African racist regime and its continuing denial of equal human and political rights to the great majority of the South Afri-can people greatly aggravate the situation in South Africa and will certainly lead to violent conflict and racial conflagration with serious international repercussions and the further isolation and estrangement of South Africa;

7. Calls upon the South African regime to take measures immediately to eliminate the policy of apartheid and grant to all South African citizens equal rights, including equal political rights, and a full and free voice in the determination of their destiny; these measures should include:

(a) Granting of an unconditional amnesty to all persons imprisoned, restricted or exiled for their opposition to apartheid;

(b) Cessation forthwith of its indiscriminate violence against peaceful demonstrators against apartheid, murders in detention and torture of political prisoners;

(c) Abrogation of the bans on political parties and organizations and the news media opposed to apartheid:

(d) Termination of all political trials:

(e) Provision of equal education opportunities to all South Africans;

8. Urgently calls upon the South African regime to release all political prisoners. including Nelson Mandela and all other black leaders with whom it must deal in any meaningful discussion of the future of the country;

9. Demands that the South African racist regime should refrain from committing further military acts and subversion against independent African States:

10. Calls upon all States strictly and scrupulously to implement resolution 418 (1977) and enact, as appropriate, effective national legislation for that purpose;

11. Requests the Security Council Committee established by resolution 421 ( 1977) concerning the question of South Africa, in pursuance of resolution 418 (1977), to redouble its efforts to secure full implementation of the arms embargo against South Africa by recommending by 15 September 1980 measures to close all loopholes in the arms embargo reinforce and make it more comprehensive;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to report by 15 September 1980 on the implementation of the present resolution;

13. Decides to remain seized of the question and to consider the situation again not later than 30 September 1980.

Adopted unanimously at the 2231st meeting.