United Nations Security Council Resolution 556

United Nations Security Council resolution 556, adopted on 23 October 1984, after recalling 554 (1984) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Council expressed its alarm at the killing of anti-apartheid demonstrators in South Africa, reaffirming that the country's disregard for world opinion will lead to a further escalation of the "explosive situation".

UN Security Council Resolution 556
Apartheid-era sign
Date	23 October 1984
Meeting no.	2,560
Code	S/RES/556 (Document)
Subject	South Africa
Voting summary	14 voted for None voted against 1 abstained
Result	Adopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members	China  France  United Kingdom  United States  Soviet Union
Non-permanent members	Burkina Faso  Egypt  India  Malta  Netherlands  Nicaragua  Pakistan  Peru  Ukrainian SSR  Zimbabwe
Lists of resolutions

The Council reiterated its opposition to apartheid, demanding the immediate cessation of massacres in South Africa and the release of all political prisoners. It also called on all Member States and international organisations to assist the South African people in their "legitimate struggle for the full exercise of the right to self-determination".

Finally, Resolution 556 called for the dismantling of the bantustans, the removal of bans on anti-apartheid parties, individuals and news media, and requested the Secretary-General to monitor the situation.

The resolution was approved by 14 votes to none against, while the United States abstained from voting.