Abstract
Resolution 566 (1985) of 19 June 1985
The Security Council,
Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General,
Having heard the statement by the Acting President of the United Nations Council for Namibia,
Having considered the statement by Mr. Sam Nujoma, President of the South West Africa People's Organization,
Commending the South West Africa People's Organization for its preparedness to co-operate fully with the
Secretary-General of the United Nations and his Special Representative,… [read more] including its expressed readiness to sign
and observe a cease-fire agreement with South Africa, in the implementation of the United Nations plan for the
independence of Namibia as embodied in Security Council resolution 435 (1978),
Recalling General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and 2145 (XXI) of 27 October 1966,
Recalling and reaffirming its resolutions 269 (1969), 276 (1970), 301 (1971), 385 (1976), 431 (1978), 432 (1978),
435 (1978), 439 (1978), 532 (1983) and 539 (1983),
Recalling the statement by the President of the Security Council of 3 May 1985, on behalf of the Council,
which, inter alia, declared the establishment of the so-called interim government in Namibia to be null and void,
Gravely concerned at the tension and instability created by the hostile policies of the apartheid regime throughout
southern Africa and the mounting threat to the security of the region and its wider implications for international
peace and security resulting from that regime's continued utilization of Namibia as a springboard for military
attacks against and destabilization of African States in the region,
Reaffirming the legal responsibility of the United Nations over Namibia and the primary responsibility of the
Security Council for ensuring the implementation of its resolutions, in particular resolutions 385 (1976) and 435
(1978) which contain the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia,
Noting that 1985 marks the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, as well as the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,
and expressing grave concern that the question of Namibia has been with the Organization since its inception and
still remains unresolved,
Welcoming the emerging and intensified world-wide campaign of people from all spheres of life against the racist
regime of South Africa in a concerted effort to bring about an end to the illegal occupation of Namibia and to
apartheid,
1. Condemns South Africa for its continued illegal occupation of Namibia in flagrant defiance of resolutions of
the General Assembly and decisions of the Security Council;
2. Reaffirms the legitimacy of the struggle of the Namibian people against the illegal occupation of the racist
regime of South Africa and calls upon all States to increase their moral and material assistance to the Namibian
people;
3. Further condemns the racist regime of South Africa for its installation of a so-called interim government in
Windhoek and declares that this action, taken even while the Security Council has been in session, constitutes a
direct affront to the Council and a clear defiance of its resolutions, particularly resolutions 435 (1978) and
439 (1978);
4. Declares that action to be illegal and null and void and states that no recognition will be accorded to it
either by the United Nations or any Member State or to any representative or organ established in pursuance
thereof;
5. Demands that the racist regime of South Africa immediately rescind the aforementioned illegal and unilateral
action;
6. Further condemns South Africa for its obstruction of the implementation of Security Council resolution 435
(1978) by insisting on conditions contrary to the provisions of the United Nations plan for the independence of
Namibia;
7. Rejects once again South Africa's insistence on linking the independence of Namibia to irrelevant and
extraneous issues as incompatible with resolution 435 (1978), other decisions of the Security Council and the
resolutions of the General Assembly on Namibia, including resolution 1514 (XV);
8. Declares once again that the independence of Namibia cannot be held hostage to the resolution of issues that
are alien to resolution 435 (1978);
9. Reiterates that resolution 435 (1978), embodying the United Nations plan for the independence of Namibia, is
the only internationally accepted basis for a peaceful settlement of the Namibian problem and demands its immediate
and unconditional implementation;
10. Affirms that the consultations undertaken by the Secretary-General pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 532
(1983) have confirmed that all the outstanding issues relevant to resolution 435 (1978) have been resolved, except
for the choice of the electoral system;
11. Decides to mandate the Secretary-General to resume immediate contact with South Africa with a view to
obtaining its choice of the electoral system to be used for the election, under United Nations supervision and
control, for the Constituent Assembly, in terms of resolution 435 (1978), in order to pave the way for the adoption
by the Security Council of the enabling resolution for the implementation of the United Nations plan for the
independence of Namibia;
12. Demands that South Africa co-operate fully with the Security Council and the Secretary-General in the
implementation of the present resolution;
13. Strongly warns South Africa that failure to do so would compel the Security Council to meet forthwith to
consider the adoption of appropriate measures under the Charter, including Chapter VII, as additional pressure to
ensure South Africa's compliance with the above-mentioned resolutions;
14. Urges States Members of the United Nations that have not done so to consider in the meantime taking
appropriate voluntary measures against South Africa, which could include the following:
(a) Suspension of new investments and application of disincentives to that end;
(b) Re-examination of maritime and aerial relations with South Africa;
(c) Prohibition of the sale of krugerrands and all other coins minted in South Africa;
(d) Restrictions on sports and cultural relations;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution not later than the
first week of September 1985;
16. Decides to remain seized of the matter and to meet immediately upon receipt of the Secretary-General's
report for the purpose of reviewing progress in the implementation of resolution 435 (1978) and, in the event of
continued obstruction by South Africa, to invoke paragraph 13 of the present resolution.
Adopted at the 2595th meeting by 13 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America). [^]