Bangladesh on the UN Security Council (1979-1980)
The country's first term on the UN Security Council
The UN Security Council has 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. The non-permanent members are elected after two year intervals by the UN General Assembly. Bangladesh was first elected to the UN Security Council in the late 1970s, serving a two year term as a non-permanent member between 1979 and 1980. In the election for UNSC members in 1978, Bangladesh was elected along with Norway, Portugal, Zambia and Jamaica. Portugal, Jamaica and Bangladesh were elected for the first time. During the election, Bangladesh faced off with Japan in the Asian group and secured two thirds of votes. According to one commentator, “Bangladesh’s prestige was enhanced by its election to the United Nations Security Council. The main contender had been Japan, but Bangladesh emerged as the voice of third world countries. This was one of the major international distinctions for Bangladesh since it became an independent nation and a member of the United Nations. Bangladesh continued to stress that the poor nations of the world should have an effective voice in UN bodies. The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister echoed the demand for restructuring the world economic order in order to resolve the problems of hunger, poverty, disease, and illiteracy”. Bangladesh enjoyed strong ties with Japan. President Ziaur Rahman visited Japan in 1978 and there was speculation that Japan would withdraw its candidacy for the Security Council seat given the strong support for Bangladesh at the time among third world nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The Soviets were reportedly supportive of Bangladesh’s candidacy, while Mongolia rallied support among Asian nations in support of Bangladesh in the race against Japan. At the General Assembly election, Bangladesh received 84 votes in the first round, 87 votes in the second round and 125 votes in the third round. Japan received 65 votes in the first round, 61 votes in the second round and 2 votes in the third round.
During this term, Bangladesh was represented on the Security Council by Ambassador Khwaja Kaiser. This period coincided with several major international crises, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Cambodian question, the Iranian hostage crisis, the situation in Southern Africa, the division of Cyprus, and the Lebanese Civil War. Bangladesh abstained in Resolution 461 which sought to condemn Iran. Below is a list of all resolutions adopted by the Security Council while Bangladesh was a non-permanent member between 1979 and 1980.
UN Security Council Resolution 444
Bangladesh voted to express concern at the situation in southern Lebanon. The Security Council reaffirmed support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Security Council deplored the lack of cooperation from Israel, as well as Israeli support for irregular armed groups in southern Lebanon.
UN Security Council Resolution 445
Bangladesh voted to condemn the white minority government in Rhodesia. The Security Council condemned the “illegal racist minority regime” in Rhodesia and acts of aggression against Angola, Mozambique and Zambia. The Security Council reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Zimbabwe to self-determination and independence in line with UN General Assembly Resolution 1514. The resolution declared that any elections held under the auspices of the regime would be null and void in the eyes of international law and called on UN Member States to desist from according recognition to representatives or organs borne out from such a process.
UN Security Council Resolution 446
Bangladesh voted to support the Security Council’s condemnation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. The Security Council determined “that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East”. In the resolution, the Security Council once again called on “Israel, as the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention, to rescind its previous measures and to desist from taking any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and, in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories”.
UN Security Council Resolution 447
Bangladesh voted to condemn the South African apartheid regime for its “premeditated, persistent and sustained invasions of the People’s Republic of Angola” which it described as a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Angola as well as a “serious threat to international peace and security”.
UN Security Council Resolution 448
Bangladesh voted to condemn elections held under the Ian Smith regime in Rhodesia. The Security Council declared the results of the elections held in April 1979 to be null and void because the electoral process was aimed at “extending a racist minority rule and at preventing the accession of Zimbabwe to independence and genuine majority rule”. The Security Council called on all UN Member States to refrain from granting recognition to any representatives borne out of Ian Smith’s electoral process.
UN Security Council Resolution 449
Bangladesh voted to extend the mandate of the UN observer mission charged with monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Syria following the end of the Arab-Israeli War of 1973. The Security Council called for the implementation of Resolution 338. The meeting also discussed the situation in Lebanon and Palestine.
UN Security Council Resolution 450
In this resolution, Bangladesh and the Security Council condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The Security Council “strongly deplored” acts of violence against Lebanon which led to the displacement of civilians, including Palestinians, and the destruction and loss of innocent lives. The Security Council called on Israel to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty and political independence. The Security Council also called on Israel to desist from arming Lebanese militia groups. The Security Council expressed support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and discussed ways to ensure UNIFIL operates effectively.
UN Security Council Resolution 451
Bangladesh voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Security Council welcomed the ten point agreement for the resumption of intercommunal talks. The Security Council called on the UN Secretary General to continue using his good offices to promote intercommunal peace talks.
UN Security Council Resolution 452
Bangladesh and other Security Council members supported a resolution which stated that “the policy of Israel in establishing settlements in the occupied Arab territories has no legal validity and constitutes a violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949”. The resolution also called on “the Government and people of Israel to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem”.
UN Security Council Resolution 453
Bangladesh and other Security Council members unanimously approved the admission of Saint Lucia to the United Nations.
UN Security Council Resolution 454
Bangladesh voted to condemn the South African apartheid regime’s military attacks on Angola, including violations of air space and territorial integrity. The Security Council was “gravely concerned that these wanton acts of aggression by South Africa form a consistent and sustained pattern of violations aimed at weakening the unrelenting support given by the front-line States to the movements for freedom and national liberation of the peoples of Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa”.
UN Security Council Resolution 455
Bangladesh voted to condemn Rhodesia’s aggressive posture towards Zambia and supported frontline states in the struggle to end apartheid and white minority rule in Southern Africa. The Security Council also condemned the South African apartheid regime for colluding with Rhodesia against Zambia.
UN Security Council Resolution 456
Bangladesh voted to renew the Security Council’s call to implement Resolution 338 and extend the mandate of the UN observer mission responsible for monitoring the ceasefire between Syria and Israel. The UN observers monitor conditions in the Golan Heights since the end of the Arab-Israeli War of 1973.
UN Security Council Resolution 457
Bangladesh voted to call for a resolution of the Iranian hostage crisis. The Security Council unanimously expressed “deep concern at the dangerous level of tension between Iran and the United States of America, which could have grave consequences for international peace and security”. The Security Council recalled the principles of the UN Charter, including the obligation of States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any State. The Security Council evoked the Vienna Conventions on diplomatic relations and consular relations to emphasize the inviolability of diplomatic personnel and diplomatic compounds. The Security Council unanimously called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to release all American hostages held at the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
UN Security Council Resolution 458
Bangladesh voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). The Security Council also considered a report by the Secretary General on the situation in Cyprus which was submitted on 1 December 1979.
UN Security Council Resolution 459
Bangladesh voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Security Council also expressed concern at the situation in Syria and Palestine.
UN Security Council Resolution 460
Bangladesh and 12 other members of the UN Security Council voted to end sanctions on Rhodesia in light of the Lancaster House Agreement which paved the way for an end to white minority rule and the liberation of Zimbabwe.
UN Security Council Resolution 461
Bangladesh abstained from a resolution which condemned Iran. This was the first Security Council resolution in which Bangladesh abstained. Other abstaining countries included Kuwait, the Soviet Union, and Czechoslovakia. The Security Council deplored the continued holding of American hostages in Iran.
UN Security Council Resolution 462
After a Soviet veto, the Security Council convened a special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
UN Security Council Resolution 463
Bangladesh voted to support the implementation of the Lancaster House Agreement, following a consensus which emerged to develop a constitution for a free Zimbabwe. The Security Council called on all parties in Zimbabwe, including the colonial administrator Britain, to ensure that the Lancaster House Agreement was upheld in letter and spirit, including ensuring the withdrawal of white South African mercenaries and military forces. The Security Council reaffirmed the inalienable right of the people of Zimbabwe to self-determination, sovereignty, and independence; and called for the release of all political prisoners and free and fair elections.
UN Security Council Resolution 464
Bangladesh and other Security Council members unanimously approved the admission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations.
UN Security Council Resolution 465
Bangladesh voted to condemn the continued Israeli policy of settlement expansion in Palestinian areas. The Security Council unanimously determined that “all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition. institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East”:
UN Security Council Resolution 466
The Security Council, including Bangladesh, unanimously condemned attacks on Zambia by forces of the apartheid regime of South Africa.
UN Security Council Resolution 467
Bangladesh voted in a resolution expressing support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
UN Security Council Resolution 468
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution which expressed deep concern over the Israeli expulsion of Palestinian mayors and a judge.
UN Security Council Resolution 469
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution which called for the implementation of the preceding Resolution 468.
UN Security Council Resolution 470
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution which extended the mandate of the UN observer mission to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Syria.
UN Security Council Resolution 471
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution which reaffirmed the Security Council’s condemnation of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. The Security Council also expressed shock and condemnation over assassination attempts on the mayors of Nablus and Ramallah. The Security Council was deeply concerned over crimes by Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians. The Security Council expressed deep concern “that Israel, as the occupying Power, has failed to provide adequate protection to the civilian population in the occupied territories in conformity with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War”.
UN Security Council Resolution 472
Bangladesh voted in a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
UN Security Council Resolution 474
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
UN Security Council Resolution 475
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution which condemned apartheid era South Africa’s attacks on Angola through South West Africa (modern Namibia).
UN Security Council Resolution 476
Bangladesh voted in a support of a resolution which condemned Israeli policy on Jerusalem. The Security Council deplored “the persistence of Israel in changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”. The Security Council expressed grave concern over the legislative steps taken by the Israeli Knesset to change the “character and status” of Jerusalem. The Security Council reaffirmed “the overriding necessity for ending the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”.
The Security Council declared that “all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East”.
UN Security Council Resolution 477
Bangladesh and other Security Council members unanimously approved the admission of Zimbabwe to the United Nations.
UN Security Council Resolution 478
On 30 July 1980, the Israeli Knesset passed a law giving Jerusalem a constitutional status as Israel’s capital, as part of the Basic Laws of Israel. The Security Council declared that “all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the recent "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void”.
Bangladesh voted in support of this resolution, which also recalled the preceding Resolution 476.
UN Security Council Resolution 479
Bangladesh voted in a resolution calling for de-escalation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with the UN Charter following the eruption of the Iran-Iraq War.
UN Security Council Resolution 480
Bangladesh voted in a resolution to appoint Judges to the International Court of Justice.
UN Security Council Resolution 481
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN observer mission in Syria.
UN Security Council Resolution 482
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
UN Security Council Resolution 483
Bangladesh voted in support of a resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
UN Security Council Resolution 484
Bangladesh voted in a resolution to condemn Israel’s expulsion of the Palestinian mayor of Hebron.
Footnotes
M Rashiduzzaman, ‘Bangladesh 1978: Search for a Political Party’ (1979) 19 Asian Survey 191-197