United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2527-2535

United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at: <https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>

Resolution 2527 (June 22, 2020) –

In resolution 2527, the UN Security Council “extend[ed] until 31 August 2020 the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).” The Council emphasized that UNSOM should continue to work closely with “AMISOM, the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), … the United Nations Country Team in Somalia, and … the African Union and international partners.” It requested regular updates from the Secretary General about “the situation on the ground and progress towards achieving key political benchmarks.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2527(2020)]

Resolution 2528 (June 25, 2020) –

The Security Council “renew[ed] until 1 July 2021 the measures as set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 of resolution 2293 (2016)” regarding sanctions imposed on arms and “individuals and entities” in the DRC. The Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, also “extend[ed] until 1 August 2021 the mandate of the Group of Experts” and plans to make a decision “regarding the further extension no later than 1 July 2021.” From the Group of Experts, it requested regular reports and updates. Lastly, it refers back to resolution 1730 (2006) (which relates to the procedure by which “individuals and entities” are removed from sanctions lists) and the Guidelines of the Committee for the Conduct of its Work; it “calls on Member states to use, as appropriate, the procedures and criteria therein.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2528(2020)]

Resolution 2529 (June 25, 2020) –

Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Security Council “appoint[ed] Mr. Serge Brammertz as Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals”; Mr. Brammertz will hold that position from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2022. The Council praised the Mechanism, and cooperating countries and law enforcement agencies, for the “arrest …of Félicien Kabuga, indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Rwanda.” It encouraged states to continue to cooperate fully with the Mechanism “to achieve the arrest and surrender of all remaining fugitives indicted by the [International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda] as soon as possible” and address “problems in the relocation of acquitted persons and convicted persons who have completed serving their sentence.” The Council “request[ed] the Mechanism … take into account those views and implement the recommendations [of the Council's Informal Working Group on International Tribunals], and to continue to take steps to further enhance efficiency and effective and transparent management.” In particular, the Council “[e]mphasise[d] that … the Mechanism was established to be a small, temporary and efficient structure, whose functions and size will diminish over time” and that its work should “continue to be guided … by these elements.” It requested that “future reviews [of the Mechanism's work] … include evaluation reports sought from the OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services].”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2529(2020)]

Resolution 2530 (June 29, 2020) –

In resolution 2530, the UN Security Council “renew[ed] the mandate of UNDOF [United Nations Disengagement Observer Force] … until 31 December 2020” and encouraged both Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic to “abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement … and scrupulously observe the ceasefire.” The Security Council praised “UNDOF's ongoing efforts to consolidate its presence and to intensify its operations in the area of separation, including the mission's intent to resume inspections in the area of limitation on the Bravo side”; it asked both parties to support these efforts by “engag[ing] constructively to facilitate necessary arrangements with UNDOF for the force's return to the area of separation,” “provid[ing] all the necessary support to allow for the full utilization of the Quneitra crossing by UNDOF … and … lift[ing] COVID-19 related restrictions as soon as sanitary conditions permit.” After acknowledging the danger to U.N. personnel resulting “from unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and mines,” the Council highlighted “the importance of progress in the deployment of appropriate technology” to protect UNDOF personnel from these threats. It also “[e]xpresse[d] full support for the Secretary-General's appointment of Major General Ishwar Hamal as Head of Mission and Force Commander” and “[r]equest[ed] the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all personnel in UNDOF … with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2530(2020)]

Resolution 2531 (June 29, 2020) –

In resolution 2531, the U.N. Security Council addressed many aspects of the ongoing situation in Mali. Acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the Council “extend[ed] the mandate of MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali] until 30 June 2021” and stated that its priorities should include supporting the implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, supporting the Malian authorities’ work in the Centre, protecting civilians, defending human rights, and providing humanitarian aid. It also emphasized the importance of “tak[ing] all appropriate measures to review and enhance the safety and security of MINUSMA's personnel.” The Council listed four priority measures that “Malian parties” should take to further the implementation of the Agreement: continue to demobilize and disarm armed groups and reintegrate them into the Malian Defence and Security Forces (MDSF), enact constitutional reform, further operationalize the Northern Development Zone, and increase participation of women in the process. In order to enhance security in Central Mali, the Council “[u]rge[d] the Malian authorities to” “re-establish State presence and State authority” in the region and “[bring] to justice the individuals accused of perpetrating the massacres that killed hundreds of civilians in 2019 and 2020.” It encouraged “adequate coordination, exchange of information and, when applicable, support, within their respective mandates and through existing mechanisms, between MINUSMA, the MDSF, the FC-G5S, the French Forces and the European Union missions in Mali” and emphasized “that security responses to the threats faced by Mali can only be effective if conducted in full compliance with international law.” Lastly, the Council “[c]all[ed] upon the Malian authorities to address the issue of the proliferation and illicit trafficking of … arms” and “to strengthen cooperation with the United Nations, regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society, and private sector in order to give the most appropriate response to explosive ordnance threat.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2531(2020)]

Resolution 2532 (July 1, 2020) –

On July 1, 2020, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2532 calling on states to immediately cease hostilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Security Council expressed "grave concern about the devastating impact" of the pandemic and underscored the enhanced need for cooperation on the national, regional, and international levels. In recognition that the "pandemic is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security," the Council demanded "a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on its agenda" and called upon states that are parties to armed conflict "to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days, in order to enable the safe, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance" and related services. The Security Council indicated, however, that the cessation of hostilities and the humanitarian pause "do not apply to military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da'esh), Al Qaeda and Al Nusra Front" and associated individuals and groups.

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2532(2020)]

Resolution 2533 (July 11, 2020) –

In resolution 2533, the UN Security Council “[d]emand[ed] the full and immediate implementation of all provisions of all … Security Council resolutions” relevant to the situation in Syria. It also “renew[ed] the decisions in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Security Council resolution 2165 (2014) … until 10 July 2021” with some exclusions; these paragraphs pertain to the passage of humanitarian personnel and goods through the conflict zone. The Council requested that the Secretary General “include in his reports overall trends in United Nations cross-line and cross-border humanitarian access and detailed information on the humanitarian assistance delivered through United Nations humanitarian cross-border operations.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2533(2020)]

Resolution 2534 (July 14, 2020) –

The UN Security Council “extend[ed] until 15 July 2021 the mandate of the United Nations Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA).” UNMHA will take an active role in the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), “monitor[ing] the compliance of the parties to the ceasefire,” and “work[ing] with the parties so that … security … is assured by local security forces in accordance with Yemeni law.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2534(2020)]

Resolution 2535 (July 14, 2020) –

In resolution 2535, the UN Security Council began by defining “the term youth … as persons of the age of 18–29 years old,” acknowledging the unique effects conflict has on this population, and noting “that youth should actively be engaged in shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation.” The Council then listed steps that states and the Secretary General can take to incorporate youth into peacebuilding processes, including by “providing opportunities for young people to strengthen resilience against radicalization,” “promot[ing] the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of young survivors of armed conflict,” and “facilitat[ing] the full, effective and meaningful participation of youth at all decision-making levels.” Additionally, it “[e]ncourage[d] the Secretary-General and relevant United Nations Entities, to develop internal mechanisms within the United Nations system to broaden the participation of youth.”

[https://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2535(2020)]