United Nations Security Council Resolution 502

UN Security Council
Resolution 502
Map of the Falkland Islands
Date3 April 1982
Meeting no.2,350
CodeS/RES/502 (Document)
SubjectFalkland Islands
Voting summary
  • 10 voted for
  • 1 voted against
  • 4 abstained
ResultAdopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members
Non-permanent members
← 501 Lists of resolutions 503 →

United Nations Security Council Resolution 502 was a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 3 April 1982. After expressing its concern at the invasion of the Falkland Islands by the armed forces of Argentina, the council demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities between Argentina and the United Kingdom and a complete withdrawal by Argentine forces. The council also called on the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom to seek a diplomatic solution to the situation and refrain from further military action.

The resolution by the British representative, Ambassador Sir Anthony Parsons,[1] was adopted by 10 votes in favour (France, United Kingdom, United States, Zaire, Guyana, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Togo and Uganda) to 1 against (Panama) with four abstentions (China, Poland, Spain and the Soviet Union).[2]

Resolution 502 was in the United Kingdom's favour by giving it the option to invoke Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and to claim the right of self-defence. It was supported by members of the Commonwealth and by the European Economic Community, which later imposed sanctions on Argentina.[3][4]

  1. ^ "Falklands War: The first day, 2 April 1982". BBC News. 2 April 2002.
  2. ^ "Security Council Resolution 502 - UNSCR".
  3. ^ Gibran, Daniel K. (2007). The Falklands War: Britain Versus the Past in the South Atlantic. McFarland. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7864-3736-8.
  4. ^ Maechling Jr, Charles (27 April 1982). "The legalities of the Falkland Islands crisis". The Day.