Security Council Demands that South Africa Immediately Lift State of Emergency; Rejects Proposed References to Measures Under Chapter VII of the Charter

The Security Council this afternoon strongly condemned the establishment of a state of emergency in 36 districts in South Africa and demanded that the South African Government lift it immediately. The state of emergency was declared
by the South African Government on 20 July. The Council took this action by adopting a Security Council resolution 569 (1985), a revised draft submitted by Denmark and France (document S/17354/Rev.1), by a vote of 13 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (United Kingdom, United States). Prior to adopting the resolution, the Council failed to adopt a proposed amendment, introduced by Burkina Faso, also on behalf of Egypt, India, Madagascar, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago. The vote was 12 in favour to 2 against (United Kingdom, United States) with one abstention (France). It was not adopted due to the negative votes of two permanent members.
A general view of the Council showing 13 delegates voting in favour of resolution 569.