Crisis in the South Atlantic

Recommendation 942 (1982)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 29 April 1982 (6th Sitting) (see Doc. 4893, report of the Political Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 29 April 1982 (6th Sitting).

Thesaurus

The Assembly,

1. Alarmed by the aggravation of the situation in the South Atlantic, which puts in danger human life and for its influence on the international situation, and on relations between American states and between Europe and Latin America ;

2. Anxious to preserve progress in relations and co-operation between the Latin-American and European democracies ;

3. Considering that the seizure of the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas by the armed forces of Argentina constitutes a violation of fundamental principles of international law, particularly those referring to the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition of the use of force and the right of self-determination, enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the International Human Rights Covenants ;

4. Supporting, therefore, Resolution 502 of the United Nations Security Council, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities and an immediate withdrawal of all Argentinian forces from the island, and calling for the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to seek a diplomatic solution to their dispute ;

5. Expressing solidarity with the United Kingdom's declared aim of achieving a peaceful and fair solution, and welcoming the energetic measures taken by the European Communities ;

6. Expressing sympathy with the population of the occupied islands, who, until the invasion by Argentina, had enjoyed the full protection of their fundamental rights and freedoms, notably through the inclusion of the territory in the area of application of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ;

7. Noting that Argentina is currently a military dictatorship in which human rights are violated and fundamental freedoms non-existent ;

8. Noting that negotiations between Argentina and the United Kingdom on the future status of the islands, including the question of sovereignty, had been in progress before the Argentinian takeover, and that as recently as February 1982 the parties had publicly underlined the constructive and cordial atmosphere of their talks,

9. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers make an urgent appeal to the parties to the dispute to comply with United Nations' Security Council Resolution 502, and to reopen negotiations with a view to arriving at a peaceful settlement, bearing in mind the principles of the United Nations Charter and the International Human Rights Covenants, and the legitimate interests of the population.