Security Council resolution 2257 (2015) [on renewal of the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) until 30 June 2016]
Symbol: S/RES/2257 (2015)
Date: 2015-12-22
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/70 [55] UN DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE
S/70 [54] MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Subjects: UN Disengagement Observer Force|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|TRUCE SUPERVISION|MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHAD
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JORDAN
vote: yes
country: LITHUANIA
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2257 (2015)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                22 December 2015




               Resolution 2257 (2015)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7594th meeting, on
               22 December 2015

                    The Security Council,
                     Noting with concern that the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely
               to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
               Middle East problem can be reached,
                     Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations
               Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) of 3 December 2015 ( S/2015/930), and
               also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,
                    Stressing that both parties must abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement
               of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously
               observe the ceasefire,
                     Concurring with the Secretary-General’s findings that the ongoing military
               activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the
               potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic,
               jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local
               civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground,
                   Expressing grave concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces
               Agreement,
                     Stressing that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other
               than those of UNDOF,
                     Strongly condemning the continued fighting in the area of separation, calling
               on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions in the UNDOF
               area of operations and to respect international humanitarian law,
                    Condemning the use of heavy weapons by both the Syrian armed forces and
               armed groups in the ongoing Syrian conflict in the area of separation, including the
               use of tanks by the Syrian armed forces and opposition during clashes,
                     Echoing the Secretary-General’s call upon all parties to the Syrian domestic
               conflict to cease military actions throughout the country, including in the UNDOF
               area of operations,



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                     Reaffirming its readiness to consider listing individuals, groups, undertakings,
               and entities providing support to ISIL or to the Al-Nusra Front, including those who
               are financing, arming, planning, or recruiting for ISIL or the Al -Nusra Front and all
               other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with ISIL and
               Al-Qaida under the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime, including those
               participating in or otherwise supporting attacks against UN peacekeepers,
                     Recognizing the necessity of efforts to flexibly adjust UNDOF’s posture on a
               temporary basis to minimize the security risk to UN personnel as UNDOF continues
               to implement its mandate, while emphasizing that the ultimate goal is for the
               peacekeepers to return to their positions in UNDOF’s area of operations as soon as
               practicable,
                    Emphasizing the importance of Security Council and Troop Contributing
               Countries having access to reports and information related to UNDOF’s current
               temporary configuration, and reinforcing that such information assists the Security
               Council with evaluating, mandating, and reviewing UNDOF and with effective
               consultation with Troop Contributing Countries,
                    Underscoring the need for UNDOF to have at its disposal all necessary means
               and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely, including technology and
               equipment to enhance its observation of the area of sep aration and the ceasefire line,
               and to improve force protection, as appropriate, and recalling that the theft of
               United Nations weapons and ammunition, vehicles and other assets, and the looting
               and destruction of United Nations facilities, are unacceptabl e,
                    Expressing its profound appreciation to UNDOF’s military and civilian
               personnel, including those from Observer Group Golan, for their service and
               continued contribution, in an increasingly challenging operating environment,
               underscoring the important contribution UNDOF’s continued presence makes to
               peace and security in the Middle East, welcoming steps taken to enhance the safety
               and security of UNDOF, including Observer Group Golan, personnel, and stressing
               the need for continued vigilance to ensure the safety and security of UNDOF and
               Observer Group Golan personnel,
                    Strongly condemning incidents threatening the safety and security of United
               Nations personnel in recent months,
                     Expressing its appreciation to UNDOF for the efforts made to upgrade and
               expand its positions on Mount Hermon, including the establishment of a new
               position.
                    1.   Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution
               338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
                     2.   Stresses the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect
               the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calls on the parties to
               exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area
               of separation, encourages the parties to take advantage of UNDOF’s liaison
               function regularly to address issues of mutual concern, as appropriate, and
               underscores that there should be no military activity of any kind in the area of
               separation, including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces;
                    3.    Underlines that there should be no military activity of the armed
               opposition groups in the area of separation, and urges Member States to convey


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           strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in UNDOF’s area of operations to
           halt all activities that endanger United Nations peacekeepers on the ground and to
           accord the United Nations personnel on the ground the freedom to carry out their
           mandate safely and securely;
                4.    Calls on all groups other than UNDOF to abandon all UNDOF positions
           and the Quneitra crossing point, and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons,
           and other equipment;
                5.     Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF, to
           respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as
           well as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the United Nations
           personnel carrying out their mandate, including the unimpeded delivery of UNDOF
           equipment and the temporary use of alternative ports of entry and departure, as
           required, to ensure safe and secure troop rotation and re supply activities, in
           conformity with existing agreements, and urges prompt reporting by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and troop-contributing countries of any actions that
           impede UNDOF’s ability to fulfil its mandate;
                 6.   Recognizes the need to put in place efficient temporary procedures for
           UNDOF personnel crossing between the Alpha and Bravo sides in the absence of
           the established crossing at Quneitra, and in this regard, calls on the parties to
           constructively engage with UNDOF, with the understanding that the Quneitra
           crossing will be re-opened as soon as security conditions permit;
                 7.   Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations
           Disengagement Observer Force to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance
           policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its
           personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary -General
           to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security
           Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and
           disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in
           cases involving their personnel;
                8.    Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement
           Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 30 June 2016, and requests
           the Secretary-General to ensure that UNDOF has the required capacity and
           resources to fulfil the mandate in a safe and secure way;
                 9.    Requests the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments
           in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973);
                 10. Further requests that the next report of the Secretary-General provide an
           assessment of UNDOF’s equipment, resources, and requirements with respect to
           maximizing the force’s effectiveness in its current temporary configuration, as well
           as UNDOF’s strategy for augmenting these capabilities should a return to vacated
           positions in the area of separation become possible.




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