United Nations Security Council Resolution 502

UN Security Council Resolution 502
Map of the Falkland Islands
Date	3 April 1982
Meeting no.	2,350
Code	S/RES/502 (Document)
Subject	Falkland Islands
Voting summary	10 voted for 1 voted against 4 abstained
Result	Adopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members	China  France  United Kingdom  United States  Soviet Union
Non-permanent members	Guyana  Ireland  Jordan  Japan  Panama  Poland  Spain  Togo  Uganda  Zaire
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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]