Security Council resolution 1389 (2002) [on addition of election-related tasks to the mandate of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)]
Symbol: S/RES/1389(2002)
Date: 2002-01-16
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/57 [171] SIERRA LEONE--POLITICAL CONDITIONS
S/57 [172] UN MISSION IN SIERRA LEONE
Subjects: UN Mission in Sierra Leone|UN Mission in Sierra Leone > Terms of reference|Sierra Leone. National Electoral Commission|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|ELECTIONS|ELECTION VERIFICATION|POLICE|INTERNAL SECURITY|SIERRA LEONE|ELECTION CAMPAIGNS|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT|TRAINING PROGRAMMES|PUBLIC INFORMATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BULGARIA
vote: yes
country: CAMEROON
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GUINEA
vote: yes
country: IRELAND
vote: yes
country: MAURITIUS
vote: yes
country: MEXICO
vote: yes
country: NORWAY
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SINGAPORE
vote: yes
country: SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                  S/RES/1389 (2002)
               Security Council                                              Distr.: General

                                                                             16 January 2002




               Resolution 1389 (2002)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 4451st meeting, on
               16 January 2002

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President
               concerning the situation in Sierra Leone,
                    Affirming the commitment of all States to respect the sovereignty, political
               independence and territorial integrity of Sierra Leone,
                     Welcoming the significant progress made in the peace process in Sierra Leone,
               determining that the situation in Sierra Leone continues to constitute a threat to
               international peace and security in the region, and calling for the further
               consolidation and advancement of the peace process,
                    Welcoming the official completion of the disarmament process, calling for the
               continuation of efforts to collect arms remaining in the hands of the civilian
               population, including ex-combatants, and urging the international community to
               provide adequate resources for the reintegration programme,
                    Emphasizing the importance of free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections
               for the long-term stability of Sierra Leone, and, in this regard, stressing the
               importance of all political parties having the freedom to campaign and having
               unrestricted access to the media,
                     Welcoming the progress made by the Government of Sierra Leone and the
               National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone in preparing for elections, with the
               assistance of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), and
               encouraging further efforts, particularly by the National Electoral Commission, in
               this regard,
                    Stressing the primary responsibility of the Sierra Leone Police for the
               maintenance of law and order,
                     Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 13 December 2001
               (S/2001/1195), and taking note of the request by the National Electoral Commission
               of Sierra Leone to the United Nations to provide support for the elections,
                    1.   Decides that, further to paragraph 8 (i) of resolution 1270 (1999) of 22
               October 1999, in order to facilitate the smooth holding of elections, UNAMSIL shall


02-21596 (E)
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S/RES/1389 (2002)


               undertake election-related tasks within the parameters set out in paragraphs 48 to 62
               of the Secretary-General’s report of 13 December 2001 (S/2001/1195), within its
               existing mandate, capabilities and areas of deployment and in the light of conditions
               on the ground, and decides that these tasks shall include:
                     (a) Assisting with logistic support to the National Electoral Commission for
               the transport of electoral materials and personnel, including the use of the air assets
               of UNAMSIL to reach areas inaccessible by road, the storage and distribution of
               election materials prior to the elections, the movement of ballot papers after the
               elections, logistic assistance to international election observers, and the use of the
               civilian communications facilities of UNAMSIL in the provinces;
                     (b) Facilitating the free movement of people, goods and humanitarian
               assistance throughout the country;
                     (c) The provision of wider security and deterrence, through its presence and
               within the framework of its mandate, throughout the period of preparation for the
               elections, the polling period itself, and the period immediately after the
               announcement of the election results, and, exceptionally, being prepared to respond
               to situations of public disorder, with the Sierra Leone police taking the lead,
               especially in the vicinity of polling stations and the locations of other related
               activities;
                     2.    Reiterates its authorization to UNAMSIL, under Chapter VII of the
               Charter of the United Nations, as provided for in resolution 1270 (1999) of 22
               October 1999 and resolution 1289 (2000) of 7 February 2000, to take the necessary
               action to fulfil the tasks set out in paragraphs 1 (b) and 1 (c) above, and reaffirms
               that, in the discharge of its mandate, UNAMSIL may take the necessary action to
               ensure the security and freedom of movement of its personnel and, within its
               capabilities and areas of deployment, to afford protection to civilians under
               imminent threat of physical violence, taking into account the responsibilities of the
               Government of Sierra Leone, including the Sierra Leone Police;
                    3.    Authorizes the increase in the United Nations civilian police proposed by
               the Secretary-General in his report of 13 December 2001 (S/2001/1195), encourages
               the Secretary-General to request a further increase if appropriate, and endorses the
               Secretary-General’s recommendation that the United Nations civilian police should
               perform the following tasks:
                     (a) To advise and support the Sierra Leone Police in carrying out their
               election-related responsibilities;
                     (b) To assist the Sierra Leone Police to devise and implement an electoral
               training programme for their personnel, focused mainly on establishing security for
               public events, human rights and police conduct;
                     4.    Welcomes the interim establishment of an electoral component in
               UNAMSIL aimed at strengthening UNAMSIL’s contribution to facilitating, in
               particular, the coordination of electoral activities between the National Electoral
               Commission, the Government of Sierra Leone and other national and international
               stakeholders;
                   5.     Welcomes the intention of UNAMSIL, as indicated in the Secretary-General’s report of 13 December 2001 (S/2001/1195), to establish in each electoral




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region a UNAMSIL electoral office from which to monitor the electoral process, and
to provide, within available resources, assistance to international election observers;
     6.   Notes with appreciation the ongoing support provided by the Public
Information Section of UNAMSIL to the National Electoral Commission in
designing and implementing a civic education and public information strategy, and
encourages UNAMSIL to continue these efforts;
      7.    Underlines the responsibility of the Government of Sierra Leone and the
National Electoral Commission for the holding of free and fair elections and
encourages the international community to provide generous support and assistance
to that end;
     8.    Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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