Resolution 638
(July 31, 1989)
On 28 July 1989, Israeli
commandos kidnapped Sheikh Abdul Karim Obeid, the leader of the Hizballah in Lebanon. He was taken from his
home in southern Lebanon to Israel. Obeid was held responsible, among
other activities, for the kidnapping of an American Marines Colonel
William R. Higgins in February 1988. Israel had hoped to use the
sheikh as a card to affect an exchange of prisoners and hostages in
return for all Shi’ites held by it. President Bush expressed his
reservations over the Israeli action. The Security Council met, and
without mentioning names, unanimously adopted a resolution calling for
the "immediate safe release of all hostages and abducted persons,
wherever and by whomever they are being held. "
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 Security Council 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, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment
of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including
Diplomatic Agents, adopted on 14 December 1973, the Convention for the
Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation,
signed on 23 September 1971, the Convention for the Suppression of
Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed on 16 December 1970, 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.
Sources: The United Nations |