Security Council resolution 1972 (2011) [on arms embargo against Somalia and provision of humanitarian assistance]
Symbol: S/RES/1972(2011)
Date: 2011-03-17
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/66 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
Subjects: UN|UN. Special Coordinator for Emergency Relief Operations in Somalia|UN. Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|INTERNAL SECURITY|ARMS EMBARGO|SOMALIA|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW|REPORT PREPARATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: INDIA
vote: yes
country: LEBANON
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: PORTUGAL
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SOUTH AFRICA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/1972 (2011)
               Security Council                                               Distr.: General
                                                                              17 March 2011




               Resolution 1972 (2011)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 6496th meeting, on
               17 March 2011

                    The Security Council,
                     Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements of its President
               concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992), which
               established an embargo on all delivery of weapons and military equipment to
               Somalia (hereinafter referred to as the “Somalia arms embargo”), as elaborated and
               amended by subsequent relevant resolutions, as well as resolutions 1844 (2008) and
               1916 (2010),
                    Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
               independence and unity of Somalia,
                     Condemning flows of weapons, ammunition supplies, and financial and
               technical assistance related to such supplies, to and through Somalia in violation of
               the arms embargo as a serious threat to peace and stability in Somalia,
                     Reiterating its insistence that all States, in particular those in the region,
               should refrain from any action in contravention of the Somalia arms embargo and
               take all necessary steps to hold violators accountable,
                   Calling upon all States to effectively implement the targeted measures
               imposed in resolution 1844 (2008),
                     Underscoring the importance of upholding the principles of neutrality,
               impartiality, humanity and independence in the provision of humanitarian
               assistance,
                    Noting the reviews conducted by the Security Council on the effects of the
               measures set out in paragraph 5 of resolution 1916, and noting the reports by the
               Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia dated 12 July 2010, 23 November 2010
               and 2 March 2011,
                     Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to
               international peace and security in the region,
                    Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,




11-26683 (E)
*1126683*

S/RES/1972 (2011)


                    1.    Stresses the obligation of all States to comply fully with the measures
               imposed by resolution 733 (1992) as elaborated and amended by subsequent
               relevant resolutions, and the measures imposed by resolution 1844 (2008);
                     2.   Reaffirms the obligation on all parties to promote and ensure compliance
               with international humanitarian law in Somalia;
                     3.   Underscores the importance of humanitarian aid operations, condemns
               any politicization of humanitarian assistance, or misuse or misappropriation, and
               calls upon Member States and the United Nations to take all feasible steps to
               mitigate these aforementioned practices in Somalia;
                     4.    Decides that for a period of sixteen months from the date of this
               resolution, and without prejudice to humanitarian assistance programmes conducted
               elsewhere, the obligations imposed on Member States in paragraph 3 of resolution
               1844 (2008) shall not apply to the payment of funds, other financial assets or
               economic resources necessary to ensure the timely delivery of urgently needed
               humanitarian assistance in Somalia, by the United Nations, its specialized agencies
               or programmes, humanitarian organizations having observer status with the United
               Nations General Assembly that provide humanitarian assistance, or their
               implementing partners;
                     5.   Requests the Emergency Relief Coordinator to report to the Security
               Council by 15 November 2011 and again by 15 July 2012 on the implementation of
               paragraphs 3 and 4 above, and on any impediments to the delivery of humanitarian
               assistance in Somalia, and requests relevant United Nations agencies and
               humanitarian organizations having observer status with the United Nations General
               Assembly that provide humanitarian assistance to assist the United Nations
               Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia in the preparation of such report by
               providing information relevant to paragraphs 3 and 4 above;
                    6.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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