Security Council

6684^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Renews for 12 Months Arms, Travel Bans Concerning Liberia,

Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2025 (2011)

 

Also Tasks Expert Panel to Conduct Two Assessment Missions to Liberia,

Neighbouring States, to Investigate Violations, Financing for Illicit Arms Trade

The Security Council today, determining that, despite significant progress, the situation in Liberia remained a threat to international peace and security in the region, renewed for 12 months its travel ban on persons deemed to be a threat to the peace in Liberia and arms embargo, modified in previous resolutions to allow the Liberian Government, as well as the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, to receive certain military materiel.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2025 (2011) under Chapter VII, the Council also extended for one year the mandate of the Panel of Experts, first appointed in 2009 by resolution 1903, which monitors the implementation of the measures.

Through the text, the Council, noting with serious concern the lack of progress with regard to the implementation of the financial measures imposed by resolution 1532 (2004), demanded the Government of Liberia make all efforts necessary to fulfil its obligations.

In requesting the panel’s reappointment, it tasked it with, among others, conducting two follow-up assessment missions to Liberia and neighbouring States to investigate and compile reports on the implementation, and any violations, of the arms ban and financing sources, such as from natural resources, for the illicit weapons trade; and assisting the sanctions committee in updating the publicly available reasons for listing entries on the travel ban and assets freeze lists.

By a further provision, the Council reaffirmed the need for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to coordinate their strategies and operations in areas near the Liberian-Côte d’Ivoire border, in order to contribute to subregional security.

The meeting began at 10:11 a.m. and was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.

The full text of resolution 2025 (2011) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its President on the situation in Liberia and West Africa,

“Welcoming the sustained progress made by the Government of Liberia since January 2006, in rebuilding Liberia for the benefit of all Liberians, with the support of the international community,

“Stressing that Liberia’s progress in the timber sector must continue with the effective implementation and enforcement of the National Forestry Reform Law signed into law on 5 October 2006, and other new legislation related to revenue transparency (the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act) and resolution of land and tenure rights (Community Rights Law with respect to Forest Lands and Lands Commission Act),

“Encouraging the Government of Liberia to reaffirm its commitment and redouble its efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in Liberia and to take all possible measures to prevent rough diamond smuggling,

“Encouraging the Government of Liberia to improve its control over the gold sector and adopt the necessary legislation in this regard, and focus its efforts on establishing effective governance of the gold production sector,

“Stressing the continuing importance of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in improving security throughout Liberia and helping the Government establish its authority throughout the country, particularly in the diamond, gold, timber, and other natural resources-producing regions, and border areas,

“Taking note of the report of the United Nations Panel of Experts on Liberia (S/2011/757) 757,

“Underlining its determination to support the Government of Liberia in its efforts to meet the conditions of resolution 1521 (2003), welcoming the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission, and encouraging all stakeholders, including donors, to support the Government of Liberia in its efforts,

“Acknowledging the implementation of the guidelines of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on cooperation and information sharing between the United Nations peacekeeping missions and the Security Council’s Sanctions Committees’ expert panels,

“Commending the people of Liberia on the completion of their presidential election of 8 November, which was free, fair and transparent, and further commending the National Elections Commission’s successful organization of the electoral process, in accordance with Liberian law,

“Expressing concern about the violent events of 7 November 2011 and welcoming the Government of Liberia’s establishment of a Special Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the events and determine the facts and circumstances through independent and impartial proceedings that meet international standards, in order to hold accountable those responsible,

“Calling on all Liberian leaders to promote meaningful reconciliation and inclusive dialogue to consolidate peace and advance Liberia’s democratic development,

“Determining that, despite significant progress, the situation in Liberia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Reaffirms that the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004) remain in force, notes with serious concern the lack of progress with regards to the implementation of the financial measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004), and demands that the Government of Liberia make all necessary efforts to fulfil its obligations;

“2.   Decides for a period of 12 months from the date of adoption of this resolution:

(a)   To renew the measures on travel imposed by paragraph 4 of resolution 1521 (2003);

(b)   To renew the measures on arms, previously imposed by paragraph 2 of resolution 1521 (2003) and modified by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution 1683 (2006), by paragraph 1 (b) of resolution 1731 (2006), by paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of resolution 1903 (2009), and by paragraph 3 of resolution 1961 (2010);

(c)   To review the measures in this paragraph and in paragraph 1 above in light of the progress achieved in the stabilization throughout the country and the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, with a view to possibly modifying or lifting all or part of the measures of the sanctions regime, and that such a review shall be carried out at the end of the above-mentioned 12-month period, with a midterm review no later than 30 April 2012;

“3.   Decides further to review any of the above measures at the request of the Government of Liberia, once the Government reports to the Council that the conditions set out in resolution 1521 (2003) for terminating the measures have been met, and provides the Council with information to justify its assessment;

“4.   Directs the Committee, in coordination with the Government of Liberia and relevant designating States and with the assistance of the Panel of Experts, to, as necessary and without delay, update the publicly available reasons for listing for entries on the travel ban and assets freeze lists as well as the Committee’s guidelines;

“5.   Decides to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to paragraph 9 of resolution 1903 (2009) for a period of 12 months from the date of adoption of this resolution to undertake the following tasks:

(a)   To conduct two follow-up assessment missions to Liberia and neighbouring States, in order to investigate and compile a midterm and a final report on the implementation, and any violations, of the measures on arms as amended by resolution 1903 (2009), including any information relevant to the designation by the Committee of the individuals described in paragraph 4 (a) of resolution 1521 (2003) and paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004), and including the various sources of financing, such as from natural resources, for the illicit trade of arms;

(b)   To assess the impact, effectiveness, and continued need for the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004), including particularly with respect to the assets of former President Charles Taylor;

(c)   To identify and make recommendations regarding areas where the capacity of Liberia and the States in the region can be strengthened to facilitate the implementation of the measures imposed by paragraph 4 of resolution 1521 (2003) and paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004);

(d)   Within the context of Liberia’s evolving legal framework, assess the extent to which forests and other natural resources are contributing to peace, security and development rather than to instability and to what extent relevant legislation (National Forestry Reform Law, Lands Commission Act, Community Rights Law with respect to Forest Land, and Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act) and other reform efforts are contributing to this transition, and to provide recommendations on how such natural resources could better contribute to the country’s progress towards sustainable peace and stability;

(e)   To cooperate actively with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and to assess the Government of Liberia’s compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme;

(f)   To provide a midterm report to the Council through the Committee by 1 June 2012 and a final report to the Council through the Committee by 1 December 2012 on all the issues listed in this paragraph, and to provide informal updates to the Committee as appropriate before those dates, especially on progress in the forest sector since the lifting of paragraph 10 of resolution 1521 (2003) in June 2006, and in the diamond sector since the lifting of paragraph 6 of resolution 1521 (2003) in April 2007;

(g)   To cooperate actively with other relevant panels of experts, in particular that on Côte d’Ivoire re-established by paragraph 13 of resolution 1980 (2011) and that on the Democratic Republic of the Congo re-established by paragraph 4 of resolution 2021 (2011) with respect to natural resources;

(h)   To assist the Committee in updating the publicly available reasons for listing for entries on the travel ban and assets freeze lists;

“6.   Requests the Secretary-General to reappoint the Panel of Experts and to make the necessary financial and security arrangements to support the work of the Panel;

“7.   Calls upon all States and the Government of Liberia to cooperate fully with the Panel of Experts in all aspects of its mandate;

“8.   Recalls that responsibility for controlling the circulation of small arms within the territory of Liberia and between Liberia and neighbouring States rests with the relevant governmental authorities in accordance with the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons of 2006;

“9.   Reaffirms the need for UNMIL and the United Nations Operations in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) to regularly coordinate their strategies and operations in areas near the Liberian-Côte d’Ivoire border, in order to contribute to subregional security;

“10.  Reiterates the importance of UNMIL’s continuing assistance to the Government of Liberia, the Committee, and the Panel of Experts, within its capabilities and areas of deployment, and without prejudice to its mandate, continue to carry out its tasks set forth in previous resolutions, including resolution 1683 (2006);

“11.  Urges the Government of Liberia to complete implementation of the recommendations of the 2009 Kimberley Process review team to strengthen internal controls over diamond mining and exports;

“12.  Encourages the Kimberley Process to continue to cooperate with the Panel of Experts and to report on developments regarding Liberia’s implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme;

“13.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record