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The Age of International Law in Security Council’s Practice

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The Strategic Use of International Law by the United Nations Security Council

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Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed account of the specific content and legal effects of the resolutions addressing thematic issues. In particular, this chapter addresses two questions: do the Security Council (SC) thematic resolutions complement existent rules and principles of international law? Do they create new obligations, thus contributing to the development of international law? The analysis shows that of all the thematic resolutions adopted by the SC since 1946, the group of resolutions on women, children, protection of civilians and international terrorism represent the hallmark of twenty-first century SC practice. Since their introduction, they have been constantly referred to by the SC in resolutions addressing other topics along with other sources of international and UN law. The analysis also shows that the normative content of the group of resolutions on women, children and civilians cannot be regarded as either a form of implied powers or ultra vires: they represent a form of ‘self-imposed duties’. Conversely, the resolutions on international terrorism have a restricted geographical application and serve the function of both crystallizing existent norms and facilitating the adoption of new ones in the same field.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Reisman (1993).

  2. 2.

    Res. 2122(2013), para. 3. See also PRST 2014/21, para. 5 (establishing that ‘The Council reiterates its intention to increase its attention to women, peace and security as a cross-cutting subject in all relevant thematic areas of work on its agenda, including on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts’). In relation to children, the SC stated that ‘the protection of children in armed conflict should be an important aspect of any comprehensive strategy to resolve conflict and build peace;’ Res. 2143(2014), Preamble, para. 8.

  3. 3.

    Res. 97(1952) and previous ones (armaments); Res. 74(1949) (atomic energy); Res. 638(1989) and previous ones (hostage taking); 500(1982) and previous ones (international peace and security); Res. 635(1989) (marking of explosives); Res. 255(1968) (non-nuclear weapons states); and Res. 135(1960).

  4. 4.

    Res. 1318(2000) (effective role of the SC in maintaining international peace and security); Res. 1308(2000) (HIV/AIDS and peacekeeping operations); Res. 1172(1998) (international peace and security); Res. 1269(1999) (responsibility of the SC in maintaining international peace and security); and Res. 984(1995) (use of nuclear weapons).

  5. 5.

    See Sect. 4.3.

  6. 6.

    Res. 2033(2012) and previous one (cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations in maintaining international peace and security); Res. 1732(2006) and previous one (general issues relating to sanctions); Res. 2154(2014) (maintenance of international peace and security); Res. 2055(2012) and previous one (non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction); Res. 1947(2010) and previous ones (post-conflict peacebuilding); and Res. 1366(2001) (role of the SC in the prevention of armed conflict).

  7. 7.

    See Sect. 4.3.

  8. 8.

    As discussed in Chap. 5.

  9. 9.

    Res. 1265(1999).

  10. 10.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 10; Res. 1674(2006), para. 22; PRST/2010/25, para. 18 (‘The Security Council emphasizes that all civilians affected by armed conflict, including those suffering losses as a result of lawful acts under international law, deserve assistance and recognition in respect of their inherent dignity as human beings’).

  11. 11.

    Res. 1296(2000), para. 3.

  12. 12.

    Res. 1894(2009), para. 7(c).

  13. 13.

    Res. 1894(2009), Preamble, para. 4.

  14. 14.

    Res. 1296(2000), paras. 4 and 14–15; Res. 1738(2006), para. 4 (protection of journalists); Res. 1894(2009), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1894(2009), para. 3.

  15. 15.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 4; and Res. 1738(2006), Preamble, para. 5.

  16. 16.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 9.

  17. 17.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 4; Res. 1674(2006), para. 6; Res. 1894(2009), para. 6.

  18. 18.

    PRST/2013/2 para 9 (‘The Council reaffirms its readiness to adopt appropriate measures aimed at those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law’). See also Res. 1674(2006), para. 5; Res. 1738(2006), para. 5; and Res. 1894(2009), para. 5 (reiterating its call on States that have not already done so to consider signing, ratifying or acceding to the relevant instruments of international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law). See also Res. 2175(2014), para. 1 (referring to the need to comply with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law).

  19. 19.

    Res. 1674(2006), Preamble, para. 3.

  20. 20.

    Res. 1267(1999), para. 17; Res. 1674(2006), Preamble, para. 5; and Res. 1894(2009), para. 29.

  21. 21.

    PRST/2004/46, paras. 6 and 10.

  22. 22.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 18 and Res. 1296(2000), paras. 20–21.

  23. 23.

    Res. 1894(2009), Preamble, para. 19.

  24. 24.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 3; Res. 1296(2000), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 1894(2009), para. 1.

  25. 25.

    Res. 1894(2009), para. 8. .

  26. 26.

    Res. 1296(2000), para. 5. For similar expression of commitment, see Res. 1265(1999), para. 2; Res. 1674(2006), para. 26; Res. 1738(2006), Preamble, para. 6 (‘Emphasizing that there are existing prohibitions under international humanitarian law against attacks intentionally directed against civilians, as such, which in situations of armed conflict constitute war crimes’); Res. 1738(2006), para. 9; and Res. 1894(2009), paras. 2–3.

  27. 27.

    PRST/2002/6, Annex (Aide Memoire); PRST/2002/41, para. 4; PRST/2003/27, para. 3; PRST/2004/46, para. 13 (describing the Aide Memoire as ‘a practical tool’).

  28. 28.

    PRST 2014/3, Preamble, para. 1.

  29. 29.

    Res. 1894(2009), para. 30.

  30. 30.

    PRST/2002/6, Annex, paras. 4–5; PRST/2009/1, para. 8; PRST/2010/25, Annex, paras. 5 and 7; PRST/2013/2, para. 25; and PRST 2014/3, Annex Memoire, para. 5.

  31. 31.

    PRST/2003/27, Annex, para, 4; and PRST 2014/3, Annex Memoire, para. 3.

  32. 32.

    PRST/2002/6, Annex, para. 6; PRST/2003/27, Annex, para. 7; and PRST/2010/25, Annex, para. 4.

  33. 33.

    PRST/2008/18, para. 2 (‘The Security Council condemns all violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law committed against civilians in situations of armed conflict’); PRST/2010/25, para. 7; PRST/2013/2, para. 6; and 2014/3, para. 6.

  34. 34.

    Res. 1265(1999), para. 16.

  35. 35.

    PRST/2013/2, para. 7.

  36. 36.

    Res. 1674(2006), para. 16; and PRST 2014/3, Annex Memoire, para. 4.

  37. 37.

    PRST/2002/6, para. 3; PRST 2014/3, Annex Memoire, para. 5.

  38. 38.

    Res. 1325(2000), Preamble, para. 4; Res. 2106(2013), para. 20; and Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 7.

  39. 39.

    Res. 1325(2000), Preamble, paras. 5 and 10; Res. 1820(2008), Preamble, para. 10; Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 4.

  40. 40.

    Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, paras. 1 and 22; Res. 1889(2009), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 2106(2013), Preamble, paras. 1 and 3; and Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para 1.

  41. 41.

    Res. 1325(2000), para. 9; Res. 1820(2008), Preamble, paras. 5 and 9; Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, para. 9; Res. 1889(2009), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, para. 12; Res. 2106(2013), Preamble, para. 9; Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 2. Other documents include the World Summit Outcome document (2005) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), as reported in Res. 1820(2008), Preamble, paras. 3–4; Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, para. 4; Res. 1889(2009), Preamble, para. 3; and Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 2.

  42. 42.

    Res. 1325(2000), para. 14; Res. 1889(2009), para. 5. See also Res. 1888(2009), para. 10; Res. 1960(2010), para. 7; and Res. 2106(2013), para. 13.

  43. 43.

    Res. 1325(2000), paras. 1–8; Res. 1888(2009), paras. 11–12; Res. 1960(2010), paras. 11 and 16.

  44. 44.

    Res. 1820(2008), Preamble, para. 12; Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2106(2013), Preamble, para. 7; and Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 10 (‘Recognizing that States bear primary responsibility to respect and ensure the human rights of their citizens, as well as all individuals within their territory as provided for by relevant international law’); Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, paras. 10; and Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, paras. 4 (‘Stressing the necessity for all States and non-States parties to conflicts to comply fully with their obligations under applicable international law, including the prohibition on all forms of sexual violence’), and 6–7; Res. 1889(2009), para. 5 (‘[The SC] Reiterates its call for all parties in armed conflicts to respect fully international law applicable to the rights and protection of women and girls’); Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, para. 9; Res. 2106(2013), Preamble, paras. 11–12, and para. 2 (operative part); and Res. 2122(2013), Preamble, para. 10, and 13.

  45. 45.

    Res. 1820(2008), paras. 4–5. See also Res. 1889(2009), para. 3.

  46. 46.

    See note 38 above.

  47. 47.

    Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, para. 6.

  48. 48.

    PRST/2004/40, para. 10.

  49. 49.

    PRST/2006/42, para. 14; PRST/2007/40, para. 9.

  50. 50.

    PRST/2007/40, para. 5. See also Res. 1960(2010), Preamble, para. 2 (‘as documented in the Secretary-General’s report’).

  51. 51.

    Res. 1820(2008), Preamble, para. 8; and Res. 1888(2009), Preamble, para. 3.

  52. 52.

    Res. 1960(2010), para. 1. This limit in scope of the SC commitment is reiterated in the request to the Secretary-General to include in his annual report a list of ‘the parties that are credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict on the Security Council agenda,’ which will be used ‘as a basis for [taking] measures in accordance with the procedures of the relevant sanctions committees.’ Res. 1960(2010), para. 3.

  53. 53.

    Deplano (2014), Vargiu and Deplano (2014).

  54. 54.

    Deplano (2014), Vargiu and Deplano (2014).

  55. 55.

    PRST/2010/8, para. 6; PRST/2010/22, paras. 10 and 12; and PRST 2014/21, para. 12.

  56. 56.

    Res. 2122(2013), paras. 3 and 17.

  57. 57.

    Res. 1460(2003), Preamble, para. 1 (recognizing that SC resolutions on children and armed conflict ‘provide a comprehensive framework for addressing the protection of children affected by armed conflict’); Res. 1612(2005), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 2143(2014), Preamble, para. 1.

  58. 58.

    Res. 1261(1999), Preamble, para. 2; and Res. 1539(2004), Preamble, para. 7.

  59. 59.

    Res. 1612(2005), Preamble, para. 9.

  60. 60.

    Res. 1314(2000), Preamble, paras. 5, and 8 (operative part). Other recognized linkages include armed conflict and terrorism, the illicit trade in precious minerals, and other criminal activities which can prolong or intensify their impact on children. See Res. 1379(2001), para. 6; and Res. 1539(2004), para. 3.

  61. 61.

    Res. 1261(1999), para. 3; Res. 1314(2000), para. 3; Res. 1379(2001), para. 8(a); Res. 1539(2004), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 1882(2009), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2143(2014), Preamble, para. 4. See also PRST/2008/6, para. 5 (referring to the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence).

  62. 62.

    Res. 1314(2000), para. 9; Res. 1379(2001), para. 1; PRST/2002/12, para. 1 (‘The Security Council… expresses its commitment to the protection of children affected by armed conflict as an essential component of its work to promote and maintain international peace and security’); Res. 1460(2003), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1539(2004), Preamble, paras. 5 and 8; Res. 1612(2005), Preamble, para. 6; Res. 1882(2009), Preamble, para. 9, and 7 (operative part); Res. 1998(2011), Preamble, para. 2; and Res. 2068(2012), Preamble, para. 2.

  63. 63.

    Res. 1261(1999), paras. 16–17; Res. 1314(2000), para. 15; Res. 1379(2001), para. 7; Res. 1998(2011), para. 9; and Res. 2068(2012), para. 3(b).

  64. 64.

    Other provisions referring to provisions of international law relating to the rights and protection of children in armed conflict as the parameter of legality for SC actions include Res. 1379(2001), para. 9(b-c); Res. 1460(2003), paras. 7–8; Res. 1539(2004), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1539(2004), para. 5; Res. 1612(2005), Preamble paras 2 and 7; Res. 1882(2009), Preamble, para. 10; PRST/2009/9, paras. 5, 10, and 15 (‘The Security Council also urges parties to armed conflict to refrain from actions that impede children’s access to education, in particular attacks or threats of attack on school children or teachers as such, the use of schools for military operations, and attacks on schools that are prohibited by applicable international law’); and Res. 1998(2011), para. 4.

  65. 65.

    Res. 1460(2003), para. 1.

  66. 66.

    Res. 1612(2005), para. 2.

  67. 67.

    Emphasis added. See also Res. 1612(2005), para. 4; Res. 1882(2009), paras. 2, 10 and 19(a); Res. 1998(2011), para. 2; and Res. 1998(2011), para. 2.

  68. 68.

    Res. 1612(2005), para. 2(a).

  69. 69.

    Res. 1189(1998), Preamble, paras. 2–3.

  70. 70.

    Res. 1189(1998), Preamble, paras. 3 and 7.

  71. 71.

    PRST S/23500, para. 11.

  72. 72.

    Res. 1189(1998), para. 5.

  73. 73.

    See Res. 1368(2001) and following ones.

  74. 74.

    Res. 1189(1998) (international terrorism); Res. 2178(2014) and previous one (threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts); Res. 1625(2005) and previous one (threats to international peace and security: Security Council Summit 2005); and Res. 2195(2014) and previous one (threats to international peace and security).

  75. 75.

    Contrary to the other thematic resolutions, some of the resolutions on international terrorism have been adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. They include: Res. 1373(2001); Res. 1452(2002); Res. 1455(2003); Res. 1526(2004); Res. 1566(2004); Res. 1617(2005); Res. 1735(2006); Res. 1822(2005); Res. 1904(2009); Res. 1988(2011); Res. 1989(2011); Res. 2082(2012); Res. 2083(2012); Res. 2160(2014); Res. 2161(2014); Res. 2170(2014); and Res. 2178(2014).

  76. 76.

    Res. 1373(2001), paras. 5 and 6 (stressing that acts of terrorism are motivated by intolerance or extremism). See also Res. 1624(2005), Preamble, para. 8 and Res. 2133(2014), Preamble, paras. 1 and 13.

  77. 77.

    Res. 1377(2001), Annex, para. 7. See also Res. 1566(2004), Preamble, para. 8 and Res. 2129(2013), Preamble, para. 8 (stressing that ‘acts of terrorism seriously impair the enjoyment of human rights and threaten the social and economic development of all States and undermine global stability and prosperity).

  78. 78.

    Res. 1373(2001), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1455(2003), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 1535(2004), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1566(2004), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 1617(2005), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1618(2005), para. 1; Res. 1787(2007), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1805(2008), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1822(2008), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1904(2009), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1989(2011), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 2083(2012), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 2129(2013), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 2133(2014), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 2161(2014), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 2170(2014), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 2178(2014), Preamble, para. 1; and Res. 2195(2014), Preamble, para. 2.

  79. 79.

    Res. 1373(2001), para. 8; Res. 1438(2002), para. 4; Res. 1440(2002), para. 5; Res. 1450(2002), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1465(2003), para. 4; Res. 1516(2003), para. 4; and Res. 1535(2004), Preamble, para. 3.

  80. 80.

    Res. 1988(2011), para. 5 and Res. 2082(2012), Preamble, para. 4 (referring to the situation in Afghanistan). Other related activities include proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, small arms and light weapons, transnational organized crime, piracy and human trafficking; see Res. 2160(2014), Preamble, para. 3 and Res. 2195(2014), Preamble, para. 7.

  81. 81.

    Res. 2195(2014), para. 3.

  82. 82.

    Res. 1368(2001), Preamble, para. 3 and Res. 1373(2001), Preamble, para. 4.

  83. 83.

    Res. 1735(2006), Preamble, para. 5. See also Res. 1822(2008), Preamble, para. 8 and Res. 1904(2009), Preamble, para. 6; Res. 1989(2011), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 2083(2012), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 2161(2014), Preamble, para. 7; and Res. 2195(2014), Preamble, para. 4.

  84. 84.

    Res. 1373(2001), para. 3; Res. 1377(2001), Annex, para. 8; Res. 1455(2003), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1526(2004), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1566(2004), Preamble, para. 3, and para 1 (operative part); Res. 1617(2005), Preamble, para. 4.

  85. 85.

    Res. 1822(2008), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 1988(2011), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 1989(2011), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 2082(2012), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2083(2012), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 2160(2014), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2161(2014), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 2170(2014), Preamble, para. 17; and Res. 2195(2014), Preamble, para. 20.

  86. 86.

    Res. 1368(2001), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1373(2001), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 1377(2001), Annex, para. 8; Res. 1438(2002), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1625(2005), Annex, Preamble, para. 2; Res. 2170(2014), Preamble, para. 2.

  87. 87.

    Res. 1535(2004), Preamble, para. 4. An identical provision is contained in Res. 1566(2004), Preamble, para. 6; Res. 1624(2005), Preamble, para. 2; and Res. 1787(2007), Preamble, para 4; Res. 1805(2008), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 1904(2009), Preamble, para. 3; Res. 2129(2013), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 2133(2014), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2170(2014), Preamble, para. 8; Res. 2178(2014), Preamble, para. 7 (also stressing that failure to comply with international obligations is one of the factors contributing to increased radicalization and fosters a sense of impunity).

  88. 88.

    Res. 1438(2002), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1440(2002), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1450(2002), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1465(2003), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1516(2003), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1530(2004), Preamble, para. 1; Res. 1611(2005), Preamble, para. 1; and Res. 1618(2005), Preamble, para. 3.

  89. 89.

    Res. 1368(2001), para. 4; Res. 1373(2001), Preamble, para. 7; Res. 1377(2001), Annex, para. 10; Res. 1450(2002), Preamble, para. 2; Res. 1535(2004), Preamble, para. 5; Res. 1566(2004), paras. 4–5; Res. 1624(2005), Preamble, para. 11; Res. 2129(2013), Preamble, para. 27; Res. 2133(2014), Preamble, para. 4; and Res. 2178(2014), Preamble, para. 21.

  90. 90.

    Res. 1368(2001), para. 4.

  91. 91.

    Res. 1452(2002), paras. 1–4; Res. 1455(2003), Preamble, para. 2; and Res. 1526(2004), Preamble, para. 2.

  92. 92.

    Res. 1535(2004), Preamble, para. 15.

  93. 93.

    Res. 1373(2001), para. 6; and Res. 1988(2011), para. 30.

  94. 94.

    Res. 1988(2011), para. 5; Res. 2082(2012) and Res. 2160(2014) on Afghanistan; Res. 2170(2014) on Syria.

  95. 95.

    This issue is further explored in Chap. 5.

  96. 96.

    As discussed in Chap. 2, Sect. 2.3.

  97. 97.

    See Chap. 5, Sect. 5.3.

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    Rossana Deplano

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Deplano, R. (2015). The Age of International Law in Security Council’s Practice. In: The Strategic Use of International Law by the United Nations Security Council. SpringerBriefs in Law. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21281-4_4

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