Abstract
S/RES/2099 (2013)
Security Council Distr.: General
25 April 2013
13-31441 (E)
*1331441*
Resolution 2099 (2013)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 6951st meeting, on
25 April 2013
The Security Council,
Recalling and reaffirming all its previous resolutions on Western Sahara,
Reaffirming its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his
Personal Envoy to implement resolutions 1754 (2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008),
1871 (2009), 1920 (2010), 1979 (2011), and 2044… [read more] (2012),
Reaffirming its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting, and
mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination
of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the
principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and
responsibilities of the parties in this respect,
Reiterating its call upon the parties and the neighbouring states to cooperate
more fully with the United Nations and with each other and to strengthen their
involvement to end the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a political
solution,
Recognizing that achieving a political solution to this long-standing dispute
and enhanced cooperation between the Member States of the Maghreb Arab Union
would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region,
Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping
operations, including MINURSO, under close review and reiterating the need for the
Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments, and
effective management of resources,
Expressing concern about the violations of existing agreements, and calling on
the parties to respect their relevant obligations,
Taking note of the Moroccan proposal presented on 11 April 2007 to the
Secretary-General and welcoming serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the
process forward towards resolution; also taking note of the Polisario Front proposal
presented 10 April 2007 to the Secretary-General, S/RES/2099 (2013)
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Encouraging in this context, the parties to demonstrate further political will
towards a solution including by expanding upon their discussion of each other’s
proposals,
Taking note of the four rounds of negotiations held under the auspices of the
Secretary-General and welcoming the commitment of the parties to continue the
negotiations process,
Encouraging the parties to continue cooperating with the Office of the High
Commissioner for Refugees in implementing the January 2012 updated Plan of
Action on Confidence Building Measures,
Stressing the importance of improving the human rights situation in Western
Sahara and the Tindouf camps, and encouraging the parties to work with the
international community to develop and implement independent and credible
measures to ensure full respect for human rights, bearing in mind their relevant
obligations under international law,
Encouraging the parties to continue in their respective efforts to enhance the
promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara and the Tindouf
refugee camps,
Recognizing and welcoming, in this regard, the steps taken by Morocco to
strengthen the National Council on Human Rights Commissions operating in Dakhla
and Laayoune, and Morocco’s ongoing interaction with Special Procedures of the
United Nations Human Rights Council, including those planned for 2013,
Also welcoming the implementation of the enhanced refugee protection
programme developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees in coordination with the Polisario Front, which includes refugee and
human rights training and awareness initiatives,
Reiterating its request for consideration of a refugee registration in the
Tindouf refugee camps and encouraging efforts in this regard,
Welcoming the commitment of the parties to continue the process of
negotiations through the United Nations-sponsored talks,
Recognizing that the consolidation of the status quo is not acceptable, and
noting further that progress in the negotiations is essential in order to improve the
quality of life of the people of Western Sahara in all its aspects,
Affirming support for the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western
Sahara Ambassador Christopher Ross and his work in facilitating negotiations
between the parties, and, welcoming to that effect his recent initiatives and ongoing
consultations with the parties and neighbouring states,
Affirming support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for
Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 8 April 2013
(S/2013/220),
1. Decides to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2014; S/RES/2099 (2013)
13-31441 3
2. Reaffirms the need for full respect of the military agreements reached with
the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with
regard to the ceasefire and calls on the parties to adhere fully to those agreements;
3. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of
MINURSO, including its free interaction with all interlocutors, and to take the
necessary steps to ensure the security of as well as unhindered movement and
immediate access for the United Nations and associated personnel in carrying out
their mandate, in conformity with existing agreements;
4. Welcomes the parties’ commitment to continue the process of preparation
for a fifth round of negotiations, and recalls its endorsement of the recommendation
in the report of 14 April 2008 (S/2008/251) that realism and a spirit of compromise
by the parties are essential to achieve progress in negotiations;
5. Calls upon the parties to continue to show political will and work in an
atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive and
substantive phase of negotiations, thus ensuring implementation of resolutions 1754
(2007), 1783 (2007), 1813 (2008), 1871 (2009), 1920 (2010), 1979 (2011), and 2044
(2012), and the success of negotiations;
6. Affirms its strong support for the commitment of the Secretary-General
and his Personal Envoy towards a solution to the question of Western Sahara in this
context and calls for renewed meetings and strengthening of contacts;
7. Calls upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the
Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the
efforts made since 2006 and subsequent developments, with a view to achieving a
just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the
self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements
consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and
noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect;
8. Invites Member States to lend appropriate assistance to these talks;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council on a regular
basis, and at least twice a year, on the status and progress of these negotiations
under his auspices, on the implementation of this resolution, challenges to
MINURSO’s operations and steps taken to address them, and expresses its intention
to meet to receive and discuss his briefings and in this regard, further requests the
Secretary-General to provide a report on the situation in Western Sahara well before
the end of the mandate period;
10. Welcomes the commitment of the parties and the neighbouring states to
hold periodic meetings with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees to review and, where possible, expand confidence-building measures,
and in this regard, supports the Secretary-General’s request for additional six United
Nations police officers to implement the expanded family visit programme;
11. Urges Member States to provide voluntary contributions to fund
confidence-building measures that allow for visits between separated family members,
as well as for other confidence-building measures agreed upon between parties;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary
measures to ensure full compliance in MINURSO with the United Nations zero-S/RES/2099 (2013)
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tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed,
and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action
including predeployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full
accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;
13. Decides to remain seized of the matter. [^]