Security Council resolution 638 (1989) [on incidents of hostage-taking and abduction]
Symbol: S/RES/638(1989)
Date: 1989-07-31
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/44 [50] HOSTAGES
S/44 [74] TERRORISM
Subjects: International Convention against the Taking of Hostages (1979)|Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents (1973)|Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation (1971)|Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (1970)|HOSTAGES|ABDUCTION|DIPLOMATS|DIPLOMATS' SECURITY|TREATIES|AVIATION SECURITY
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALGERIA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CANADA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: COLOMBIA
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FINLAND
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEPAL
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: USSR
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: YUGOSLAVIA
vote: yes

Resolution 638 (1989)
of 3f July 1989

The Security Council,

Deeply disturbed by the prevalence of incidents of
hostage-taking and abduction, and the continued protracted incarceration of many of those held hostage,

Considering that the taking of hostages and abductions are offences of grave concern to all States and
serious violations of international humanitarian law,
having severe adverse consequences for the human
rights of the victims and their families and for the
promotion of friendly relations and co-operation
among States,

Recalling its resolutions 579 (1985) of 18 December
1985 and 618 (1988) of 29 July 1988 condemning all acts
of hostage-taking and abduction,

Bearing in mind the International Convention against
the Taking of Hostages, adopted on 17 December
1979, 104 the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, adopted on 14
December 1973, 105 the Convention for the Suppression
of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation,
signed on 23 September 1971, 106 the Convention for the
Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed on
16 December 1970, 107 and other relevant conventions,

1. Condemns unequivocally all acts of hostage-taking and abduction,

2. Demands the immediate safe release of all hostages and abducted persons, wherever and by whomever they are being held;

3. Calls upon all States to use their political influence in accordance with the Charter of the United
Nations and the principles of international law to secure the safe release of all hostages and abducted persons and to prevent the commission of acts of
hostage-taking and abduction;

4. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General in seeking the release of all hostages
and abducted persons and invites him to continue such
efforts whenever so requested by a State;

5. Appeals to all States that have not yet done so to
consider becoming parties to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, the Convention on
the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic
Agents, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of
Aircraft and other relevant conventions;

6. Urges the further development of international
co-operation among States in devising and adopting
effective measures which are in accordance with the
rules of international law to facilitate the prevention,
prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostage-taking and abduction as manifestations of terrorism.

Adopted unanimously at the
2872nd meeting.

104 General Assembly resolution 34/146, annex.
105 General Assembly resolution 3166 (XXVIII), annex.
106 United Nations. Treaty Series, vol. 974, No. 14118.
107 Ibid., vol. 86O, No 12325.