United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401

by the United Nations

Adopted unanimously by the Security Council at its 4501st meeting, on 28 March 2002

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolutions 1378 (2001) of 14 November 2001, 1383 (2001) of 6 December 2001, and 1386 (2001) of 20 December 2001,

Recalling all relevant General Assembly resolutions, in particular resolution 56/220 (2001) of 21 December 2001,

Stressing the inalienable right of the Afghan people themselves freely to determine their own political future,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

Reiterating its endorsement of the Agreement on provisional arrangements in Afghanistan pending the re-establishment of permanent government institutions, signed in Bonn on 5 December 2001 (S/2001/1154) (the Bonn Agreement), in particular its annex 2 regarding the role of the United Nations during the interim period,

Welcoming the establishment on 22 December 2001 of the Afghan interim authority and looking forward to the evolution of the process set out in the Bonn Agreement,

Stressing the vital importance of combating the cultivation and trafficking of illicit drugs and of eliminating the threat of land mines, and the importance of curbing the illicit flow of small arms,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 18 March 2002 (S/2002/278),

Encouraging donor countries that pledged financial commitments at the Tokyo Conference on the reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan to fulfil their commitments as soon as possible,

Commending the United Nations Special Mission in Afghanistan (UNSMA) for the determination shown in the implementation of its mandate in particularly difficult circumstances,

1. Endorses the establishment, for an initial period of 12 months from the date of adoption of this resolution, of a United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), with the mandate and structure laid out in the report of the Secretary-General of 18 March 2002 (S/2002/278);

2. Reaffirms its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and endorses his full authority, in accordance with its relevant resolutions, over the planning and conduct of all United Nations activities in Afghanistan;

3. Stresses that the provision of focussed recovery and reconstruction assistance can greatly assist in the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and, to this end, urges bilateral and multilateral donors, in particular through the Afghanistan Support Group and the Implementation Group, to coordinate very closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Afghan Interim Administration and its successors;

4. Stresses, in the context of paragraph 3 above, that although humanitarian assistance should be provided wherever there is a need, recovery or reconstruction assistance ought to be provided, through the Afghan Interim Administration and its successors, and implemented effectively where local authorities contribute to the maintenance of a secure environment and demonstrate respect for human rights;

5. Calls upon all Afghan parties to cooperate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff throughout the country;

6. Requests the International Security Assistance Force, in implementing its mandate in accordance with resolution 1386 (2001), to continue to work in close consultation with the Secretary-General and his Special Representative;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every four months on the implementation of this resolution;

8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.