Security Council resolution 674 (1990) [on protection of third-State nationals in Iraq and Kuwait]
Symbol: S/RES/674(1990)
Date: 1990-10-29
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/45 [89] IRAQ--KUWAIT
Subjects: Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|WAR DAMAGE COMPENSATION|NON-CITIZENS|HOSTAGES|DIPLOMATS' SECURITY|MILITARY OCCUPATION|FOOD SUPPLY|WATER SUPPLY|IRAQ|KUWAIT|EMBASSIES|KUWAIT|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|IRAQ-KUWAIT SITUATION
Votes in favour: 13
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 2
Voting record:
country: CANADA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: CUBA
vote: abstention
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FINLAND
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: ROMANIA
vote: yes
country: USSR
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: YEMEN
vote: abstention
country: ZAIRE
vote: yes

Resolution 674 (1990)
of 29 October 1990

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990,
661 (1990) of 6 August 1990, 662 (1990) of 9 August 1990,
664 (1990) of 18 August 1990, 665 (1990) of 25 August
1990, 666 (1990) of 13 September 1990, 667 (1990) of 16
September 1990 and 670 (1990) of 25 September 1990,

Stressing the urgent need for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait and for
the restoration of Kuwait’s sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity and of the authority of its legitimate
Government,

Condemning the actions by the Iraqi authorities and
occupying forces to take third-State nationals hostage and
to mistreat and oppress Kuwaiti and third-State nationals,
and the other actions reported to the Council, such as the
destruction of Kuwaiti demographic records, the forced
departure of Kuwaitis, the relocation of population in
Kuwait and the unlawful destruction and seizure of public
and private property in Kuwait, including hospital supplies
and equipment, in violation of the decisions of the Council,
the Charter of the United Nations, the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of
War, of 12 August 1949, 105 the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961, 106 the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963 107 and
international law,

Expressing grave alarm over the situation of third-State
nationals in Kuwait and Iraq, including the personnel of
the diplomatic and consular missions of such States,

Reaffirming that the above-mentioned Geneva Convention applies to Kuwait and that, as a High Contracting Party
to the Convention, Iraq is bound to comply fully with all
its terms and in particular is liable under the Convention
in respect of the grave breaches committed by it, as are
individuals who commit or order the commission of grave
breaches,

Recalling the efforts of the Secretary-General concerning the safety and well-being of third-State nationals in
Iraq and Kuwait,

Deeply concerned at the economic cost and at the loss
and suffering caused to individuals in Kuwait and Iraq as
a result of the invasion and occupation of Kuwait by Iraq,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter,

Reaffirming the goal of the international community of
maintaining international peace and security by seeking to
resolve international disputes and conflicts through peaceful means,

Recalling the important role that the United Nations and
the Secretary-General have played in the peaceful solution
of disputes and conflicts in conformity with the provisions
of the Charter,

Alarmed by the dangers of the present crisis caused by
the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait, which directly threaten international peace and security, and seeking to avoid any further worsening of the situation,

Calling upon Iraq to comply with its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 660 (1990), 662 (1990) and
664 (1990),

Reaffirming its determination to ensure compliance by
Iraq with its resolutions by maximum use of political and
diplomatic means,



A

1. Demands that the Iraqi authorities and occupying
forces immediately cease and desist from taking third-State nationals hostage, mistreating and oppressing Kuwaiti and third-State nationals and any other actions, such
as those reported to the Council and described above, that
violate the decisions of the Council, the Charter of the
United Nations, the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August
1949, 105 the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
of 18 April 1961, 106 the Vienna Convention on Consular
Relations of 24 April 1963 107 and international law;

2. Invites States to collate substantiated information in
their possession or submitted to them on the grave breaches
by Iraq as per paragraph 1 above and to make this information available to the Council;

3. Reaffirms its demand that Iraq immediately fulfil its
obligations to third-State nationals in Kuwait and Iraq,
including the personnel of diplomatic and consular missions, under the Charter, the above-mentioned Geneva
Convention, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, general principles of international law and the relevant resolutions of the Council;

4. Also reaffirms its demand that Iraq permit and facilitate the immediate departure from Kuwait and Iraq of those
third-State nationals, including diplomatic and consular
personnel, who wish to leave;

5. Demands that Iraq ensure the immediate access to
food, water and basic services necessary to the protection
and well-being of Kuwaiti nationals and of third-State
nationals in Kuwait and Iraq, including the personnel of
diplomatic and consular missions in Kuwait;

6. Reaffirms its demand that Iraq immediately protect
the safety and well-being of diplomatic and consular personnel and premises in Kuwait and in Iraq, take no action
to hinder these diplomatic and consular missions in the
performance of their functions, including access to their
nationals and the protection of their person and interests,
and rescind its orders for the closure of diplomatic and
consular missions in Kuwait and the withdrawal of the
immunity of their personnel;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, in the context of the
continued exercise of his good offices concerning the
safety and well-being of third-State nationals in Iraq and
Kuwait, to seek to achieve the objectives of paragraphs 4,
5 and 6 above, in particular the provision of food, water
and basic services to Kuwaiti nationals and to the diplomatic and consular missions in Kuwait and the evacuation
of third-State nationals;

8. Reminds Iraq that under international law it is liable
for any loss, damage or injury arising in regard to Kuwait
and third States, and their nationals and corporations, as a
result of the invasion and illegal occupation of Kuwait by
Iraq;

9. Invites States to collect relevant information regarding their claims, and those of their nationals and corporations, for restitution or financial compensation by Iraq,
with a view to such arrangements as may be established in
accordance with international law;

10. Requires that Iraq comply with the provisions of
the present resolution and its previous resolutions, failing
which the Council will need to take further measures under
the Charter;

11. Decides to remain actively and permanently seized
of the matter until Kuwait has regained its independence
and peace has been restored in conformity with the relevant
resolutions of the Security Council.

B

12. Reposes its trust in the Secretary-General to make
available his good offices and, as he considers appropriate,
to pursue them and to undertake diplomatic efforts in order
to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis caused by the Iraqi
invasion and occupation of Kuwait, on the basis of resolutions 660 (1990), 662 (1990) and 664 (1990), and calls
upon all States, both those in the region and others, to
pursue on this basis their efforts to this end, in conformity
with the Charter, in order to improve the situation and
restore peace, security and stability;

13. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the
Security Council on the results of his good offices and
diplomatic efforts.

Adopted at the 295 1st meeting by
13 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (Cuba and Yemen).