United Nations Security Council Resolution 134

UN Security Council
Resolution 134

Painting depicting Sharpeville massacre

Date

April 1 1960

Meeting no.

856

Code

S/4300 (Document)

Subject

Question relating to the situation in the Union of South Africa

Voting summary

9 voted for
None voted against
2 abstained

Result

Adopted

Security Council composition

Permanent members

Non-permanent members

← 133

Lists of resolutions

135 →

International opposition to apartheid in South Africa
Campaigns Academic boycott Sporting boycott Disinvestment Constructive engagement Free South Africa Movement International anti-apartheid music International sanctions
Instruments and legislation 1962 UN Resolution 1761 1973 Crime of Apartheid Convention 1977 Gleneagles Agreement 1977 Sullivan principles 1986 Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act
Organisations Anti-Apartheid Movement Artists United Against Apartheid Commonwealth of Nations Halt All Racist Tours Organisation of African Unity TransAfrica UN Special Committee against Apartheid
Conferences 1964 Conference for Economic Sanctions 1978 World Conference against Racism
UN Security Council Resolutions Resolution 134 (Sharpeville massacre) Resolution 181 (voluntary arms embargo) Resolution 191 (sanctions feasibility) Resolution 282 (arms embargo strengthening) Resolution 418 (mandatory arms embargo) Resolution 435 (South-West Africa ceasefire) Resolution 591 (arms embargo strengthening)
Other aspects Elimination of Racism Day "Biko" (song) Activists Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Equity television programming ban Rugby union and apartheid
v t e

United Nations Security Council Resolution 134, adopted on April 1, 1960, was passed after a complaint by twenty-nine Member States regarding "the situation arising out of the large-scale killings of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators against racial discrimination and segregation in the Union of South Africa". The Council recognized that the situation was brought about by the policies of the government of the Union of South Africa and that if these policies continued they could endanger international peace and security.

The resolution voiced the Council's anger at the policies and actions of the Government, offered their sympathies to the families of the victims, called upon the Government to initiate measures aimed at bringing about racial harmony based on equality and called upon it to abandon apartheid. The Council then requested that the Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld consult with the government of the Union of South Africa to make arrangements to help uphold the principles of the Charter and to report to the Council whenever necessary and appropriate.

The resolution was adopted with nine votes; France and the United Kingdom abstained.