Assistance to refugees

Transcription

1 Assistance to refugees 621 Chapter XIX Assistance to refugees Activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees In 1977, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was required to expand its traditional tasks of providing international protection and material assistance to refugees, while at the same time pursuing special humanitarian assignments and initiating new ones for the benefit of displaced persons. Activities in 1977 International protection The High Commissioner was faced in 1977 with responsibility for an increased flow of refugees, particularly in Africa and Asia. He also continued promoting accessions to international legal instruments affecting refugees, notably the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. In 1977, the number of parties to the 1951 Convention rose from 68 to 72, and the number of parties to the 1967 Protocol rose from 63 to 67. Accessions to the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa drawn up by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) remained unchanged at 18. An important development was the adoption by the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts (Geneva, 17 March to 10 June 1977) of Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August This Protocol related to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts and included provisions of benefit to refugees and stateless persons. Though a number of countries throughout the world admitted thousands of asylum-seekers, the grant of asylum continued to be problematical. In some places refugees were denied asylum and in others they were admitted only temporarily. The problem of persons leaving the Indo- Chinese peninsula in small boats and seeking asylum remained acute. As at 31 March 1978, the total number of such refugees known to UNHCR was nearly 27,000, of whom some 2 were resettled or accepted for resettlement. The High Commissioner, jointly with the Inter- Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, issued an appeal aimed at ensuring that ships' masters observed scrupulously their obligations regarding rescue at sea. The High Commissioner also continued appealing to competent authorities to permit the temporary landing of rescued persons. The fundamental principles of asylum and non-refoulement (expulsion of or refusal of entry to aliens) were emphasized at the twenty-eighth (October 1977) session of the UNHCR Executive Committee and by the General Assembly at its 1977 session. Measures to ensure the physical protection of refugees were again required in some countries. While this was primarily the responsibility of the Governments of the countries of residence, UNHCR was nevertheless called upon to investigate and intervene with national authorities in cases, for instance, where refugees were in physical danger or in prolonged detention. During 1977, procedures for the determination of refugee status in accordance with the definition contained in the 1951 Convention and the 1957 Protocol were established by the authorities of Australia, Canada, Djibouti and Greece. Other countries were considering the matter. The Office of the High Commissioner continued to advise Governments on the issuance to refugees of travel and identity documents. Efforts aimed at the reunification of refugee families were pursued, either by helping relatives of refugees to receive authorization to leave their country of origin, or by helping them to leave the country of asylum and gain admission to a country of resettlement. Efforts by UNHCR under the 1951 Convention to promote the economic and social rights of refugees led to an improvement in their position in certain countries. The Office also continued to promote naturalization, as provided for under

2 622 Economic and social questions the 1951 Convention, notably in Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany and Spain. The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany continued its co-operation with UNHCR in providing compensation payments to refugees persecuted under the National Socialist regime on account of their nationality. The Government of Uganda began a 10-year programme of payments to Ugandan Asians outside Uganda to compensate for their loss of assets. Material assistance to refugees Despite the fact that some special programmes could be phased out in 1977, the over-all assistance activity of UNHCR had to be considerably expanded once again to meet increased requirements, particularly in Africa and Asia. The general programmes accounted for a total expenditure of $23.6 million and the special programmes a total of $87.3 million, for an over-all expenditure of nearly $111 million as compared with some $90 million in The general programmes comprised the former annual programme and the High Commissioner's Emergency Fund, while the special programmes covered UNHCR'S special operations of humanitarian assistance and all other trust funds, including the Refugee Education Account. As in the past, Governments, particularly those of countries where assistance projects were carried out, contributed in varying degrees to refugees; UNHCR also continued to benefit from the active co-operation and support of other United Nations agencies and programmes as well as of other governmental and non-governmental agencies. The main permanent solutions for refugees remained voluntary repatriation, resettlement through migration and settlement in the country of asylum. However, relief assistance, particularly under special programmes, represented a major component of assistance programmes and absorbed a sizable share of funds. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN AFRICA At the end of 1977 there were some 1.5 million refugees of concern to UNHCR in Africa. Of an additional 1.8 million displaced persons in 1977, many had returned to their homes by the end of the year. The general programme had to be expanded in the course of the year as a result of major developments, including in particular: the arrival in various countries in southern Africa of South African refugee students following the Soweto (South Africa) riots in 1976; growing numbers of refugees from Namibia, and a major influx from Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), mainly into Mozambique; a large flow of Zairian refugees into eastern Angola; and increased numbers of refugees from Ethiopia, notably into Djibouti. Other sizable groups of refugees to whom UNHCR continued to provide assistance were Angolan refugees in Zaire, Ethiopians in the Sudan and refugees from Burundi in the United Republic of Tanzania. Assistance was also given in Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia, and in a number of other countries, mostly in western Africa. Under its special programmes of humanitarian aid, UNHCR continued its assistance to Sahrawis in Algeria, with expenditures totalling over $1,274,500 supplemented by donations of food from governmental and non-governmental sources valued at $864,770. On the other hand, it was possible to phase out the $12.1 million United Nations programme of humanitarian assistance to Angola and UNHCR'S special programmes in Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, with the return to their homes and rehabilitation of former refugees and persons displaced inside these countries. Part of UNHCR'S assistance to refugees from colonial territories was channelled through national liberation movements recognized by OAU. Local settlement, mainly rural and aimed at allowing people to become self-supporting within the local community, continued to be the main solution for the majority of refugees. New rural settlements came into being, existing settlements were improved and one was handed over to national authorities. In addition, counselling and educational services were required on a larger scale in order to deal with urban refugees and with the influx of refugee students. For assistance in Africa under the general programmes in 1977, UNHCR provided over $13 million, of which nearly $10 million was for local settlement, mainly in agriculture. Under the special programmes $22.5 million was provided. This amount included the $13.3 million made available to Angola and to the Sahrawis in Algeria. Nearly $2 million was provided in Mozambique for the special programme for the repatriation and resettlement of returning refugees. Some $1.6 million for higher secondary and further educational assistance was provided from the Refugee Education Account. From the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa, $170,000 was provided for assistance to individual refugees of South African origin. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN THE AMERICAS Over-all UNHCR expenditure in Latin America in 1977 amounted to some $5.3 million, of which more than $3 million was for supplementary

3 Assistance to refugees 623 assistance and over $1 million for resettlement through migration. Of the 80,000 or so refugees of European origin and some 29,000 of Latin American origin, the latter group continued to require the greater attention, the majority in Argentina. The total number of refugees of Latin American origin, of whom a considerable proportion were Chileans, remained more or less constant in 1977 since resettlement to other parts of the world was offset by new arrivals. Resettlement through migration remained the only possible solution in very many cases, followed by local settlement where feasible. Interim temporary assistance measures figured prominently, as did legal counselling and assistance in education. In 1977, 4,292 refugees and dependants of refugee heads of family abroad were resettled in other countries. At the end of the year some refugees were still awaiting a resettlement opportunity. In Canada and the United States, UNHCR was concerned, inter alia, with the promotion of resettlement. By the end of 1977, Canada had admitted almost 7,000 persons since 1975 and the United States some 31,500, mainly displaced persons from Indo-China, but also small groups of Lebanese and refugees from the Caribbean and Latin America. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN ASIA AND WESTERN ASIA In 1977, UNHCR'S activities in Asia continued to centre on special operations on behalf of the large and increasing number of displaced persons in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon and Viet Nam and for the growing number of Indo-Chinese displaced persons in Thailand and other countries in South-East Asia. Resettlement in third countries was the most suitable long-term solution for the latter, and during 1977 some 2 displaced persons from Indo-China were resettled in various countries, mainly France and the United States. By 31 March 1978, however, 106,300 such persons in various countries still awaited permanent solutions. In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, UNHCR continued the programme begun in 1974 of assistance for rehabilitating displaced population. The programme involved transportation by road, river or air and initial installation assistance. Of some 121,000 persons who returned to their villages in 1977, some 10 received assistance from UNHCR. To meet immediate needs, household equipment, tools and food were distributed. Plans for longer-term rehabilitation were under preparation. Expenditure by UNHCR in 1977 totalled $1,53, including as major items $67 for transportation to the villages and provision of resettlement kits, and $40 for emergency food supplies. In Thailand, the number of displaced persons from the Indo-Chinese peninsula stood at 97,600 at 31 December 1977: nearly 79,000 were from the Lao People's Democratic Republic, 1 from Democratic Kampuchea and 3,600 from Viet Nam. During the year UNHCR assisted the departure of 14,021 such persons to countries of resettlement. Assistance activities, based on an agreement with the Government of Thailand, were directed towards care and maintenance of the existing case-load, the immediate needs of new arrivals and measures to facilitate the resettlement of those wishing to emigrate to third countries. In view of the large numbers involved, arrangements were made to accommodate the displaced persons in Thailand in temporary relief centres constructed in various provinces on sites chosen by the Thai Government. Preparations were also made for the implementation of several self-help projects. Expenditure under UNHCR'S special programme in Thailand totalled nearly $9,084,000 in 1977, of which some $5,360,000 was for care and maintenance and nearly $2.9 million for assistance towards resettlement. Under the special programme in Viet Nam in 1977, assistance was mainly for consolidating earlier rehabilitation efforts, in consultation with the national authorities. This included agricultural machinery, establishment of a buffalo breeding farm, continued assistance in poultry breeding and assistance to the fishing community. In addition to regular aid, emergency supplies of food, clothing, shelter material and medical equipment were required. Total expenditure in Viet Nam came to nearly $3,47, including $1,41 for assistance in rehabilitation of displaced fishermen, $590,300 for agricultural assistance and $500,000 for constructing and equipping hospitals and dispensaries. Special assistance activities by UNHCR in Lebanon in 1977, undertaken within the framework of a programme of United Nations assistance, were again directed to bringing essential relief assistance, particularly in the first months of the year. Needs at that time were mainly for domestic utensils, blankets, tarpaulins, tents and medical supplies. This emergency phase ended in mid-1977, when UNHCR appealed to Governments for contributions towards a programme for the return of the displaced persons and their rehabilitation in their own villages. In consultation with the Lebanese Government, 25 villages were selected to form part of the rehabilitation programme, its principal objectives being to provide shelter,

4 624 Economic and social questions reinforce village infrastructure in such sectors as health, water supply and education, and encourage resumption of economic and social activities. As with the emergency phase, UNHCR'S rehabilitation programme came within the wider framework of United Nations assistance in Lebanon. It thus benefited from the co-operation of the United Nations Children's Fund, concerned with water supply and school equipment, of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the provision of fertilizers needed to restore agricultural production, and of the World Food Programme (WFP), which implemented a number of "food-for-work" projects linked to the reconstruction of housing and restoration of public utilities. Major financial commitments of UNHCR under its special humanitarian action in Lebanon in 1977 were approximately $64 for emergency needs, $18 for initial measures connected with the return and rehabilitation programme and some $14 for transport. Activities in Lebanon under UNHCR'S general programmes were again affected by events in the area, which impeded local settlement or resettlement elsewhere of refugees in Lebanon. Efforts in 1977 were thus essentially directed to reestablishing effective counselling services and to providing immediate assistance as required. Under its special programmes in Asia, UNHCR'S expenditure in 1977 totalled nearly $18,560,000, while expenditure under the general programmes totalled some $1,148,000. ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN EUROPE As in past years, UNHCR'S assistance to refugees in Europe was of a marginal nature, since these refugees were greatly assisted by national Governments and by non-governmental organizations. European refugees continued to seek and receive asylum in various countries, while non- European refugees, mainly from Indo-China, Latin America and Africa, were accepted for permanent settlement by many European countries. Indo-Chinese displaced persons constituted the largest group settling in Europe in 1977, and France alone continued to admit approximately 1,000 of these persons each month. In addition, nearly 1,000 refugees from Latin America were admitted for permanent settlement throughout Europe, mainly in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Facilities were provided for the reception and transit of refugees, for settlement, vocational training and counselling. Some individual financial assistance was provided, notably to refugees in Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. A UNHCR branch office was opened in Portugal to help displaced persons from former Portuguese territories and other groups. A total of $1,82 was expended by UNHCR in various European countries (excluding Cyprus) in 1977 under the general programmes. At the request of the United Nations Secretary- General, the High Commissioner continued throughout 1977 to act as Co-ordinator of United Nations Humanitarian Assistance for Cyprus, a function he had performed since August 1974, following the events of that summer on the island. This assistance was required to bring continued help to persons who were still displaced and in need, including some 155,500 Greek Cypriots, 37,250 Turkish Cypriots and 700 Maronite Cypriots. With the continued help of the World Health Organization, WFP and the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, substantial supplies of food and medical consignments were made available throughout the island. Further measures were also taken to reactivate farms, small businesses and local crafts, and to promote a number of low-cost housing projects to replace temporary accommodations. Groups such as the very young, the handicapped and the old, requiring specific forms of assistance, once more received the special attention of the Co-ordinator. (See also p. 368.) Legislative action On 4 August 1977, the Economic and Social Council, on the proposal of its President, transmitted (by decision 276 (LXIII)) to the General Assembly the annual report of UNHCR covering the period 1 April 1976 to 31 March Mauritania reserved its position on several paragraphs of the report relating to assistance activities in Africa. On 29 July 1977, the Economic and Social Council adopted resolutions on assistance to Mozambique (2094 (LXIII)), to Botswana (2095 (LXIII)) and to Lesotho (2096 (LXIII)). Recognizing the plight of the refugees and the additional burden imposed upon those countries by the continuing refugee influx, the Council, inter alia, requested the High Commissioner to strengthen further his humanitarian assistance programmes on behalf of refugees and urged the international community to provide him speedily with the necessary means to carry out these programmes. The General Assembly, on 13 December 1977, also adopted resolutions calling for assistance to Mozambique (32/95), Botswana (32/97) and Lesotho (32/98), and by each resolution requested UNHCR to strengthen humanitarian programmes

5 Assistance to refugees 625 to these States and urged the international community to provide the High Commissioner with the necessary means. (For texts of these resolutions, refer to INDEX OF RESOLUTIONS.) On 8 December 1977, the General Assembly, after considering the report of UNHCR, adopted resolution 32/67 without vote. By this resolution, the Assembly expressed deep satisfaction at the efficient manner in which the High Commissioner and his staff continued to accomplish their humanitarian tasks and requested him to continue to provide assistance to refugees and displaced persons. The Assembly asked United Nations agencies and programmes to support, and urged Governments to co-operate with, the High Commissioner in promoting permanent and speedy solutions through voluntary repatriation and assistance in rehabilitation of returnees, integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries. Governments were also urged to facilitate the High Commissioner's efforts in the field of international protection through accessions to and effective implementation of international and regional instruments relating to refugees, by following humanitarian principles in granting asylum and by ensuring that they were scrupulously observed. Finally, the Assembly called upon Governments to contribute generously to the financing of the High Commissioner's activities. On 16 November 1977, the Assembly's Third (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) Committee had approved without vote the text of the resolution, which was sponsored by 51 Members. (For list of sponsors and text of resolution 32/67, See DOCUMENTARY REFERENCES below.) In a further action on 8 December, the General Assembly recalled that it had decided to review in 1977 whether or not UNHCR should be continued beyond Considering the outstanding work of UNHCR in providing international protection and material assistance to refugees and displaced persons, in promoting permanent solutions to their problems, and in dealing effectively with various humanitarian tasks, the Assembly decided to continue UNHCR for a further five years from 1 January It would review, no later than at its regular 1982 session, the arrangements for the Office to determine whether it should be continued beyond 31 December These decisions were embodied in resolution 32/68, adopted without vote on the basis of a 51-power text approved without vote by the Assembly's Third Committee on 16 November (For list of sponsors and text of resolution, See DOCUMENTARY REFERENCES below.) Also on 8 December 1977, the General Assembly adopted without vote resolution 32/69, by which it noted with regret that the High Commissioner, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, would shortly be relinquishing his duties, and expressed appreciation for the effective and dedicated manner in which he had performed his functions. On 16 November, the Third Committee had approved the text by acclamation; it was sponsored by 67 Members. (For text of resolution and list of sponsors, see DOCUMENTARY REFERENCES below.) At the same meeting (by decision 32/314), the Assembly, on the proposal of the Secretary- General, elected Poul Hartling as High Commissioner for a five-year term beginning on 1 January On 8 December 1977, the General Assembly also adopted without vote resolution 32/70, by which it commended the assistance programmes to refugees in southern Africa already being implemented by the High Commissioner, urged Governments to provide him with the necessary facilities to assist those refugees and requested United Nations agencies and non-governmental and voluntary organizations to extend to him maximum support. Finally, the Assembly requested the High Commissioner to continue to co-operate with OAU and to keep it informed of UNHCR activities. The draft text of this resolution, sponsored by 45 Members, was approved without vote by the Third Committee on 16 November (For list of sponsors and text of resolution, see DOCUMENTARY REFERENCES below.) Conference on territorial asylum Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 9 December 1975, 2 a Conference of Plenipotentiaries was convened by the Secretary- General in Geneva from 10 January to 4 February 1977 to consider and adopt a convention on territorial asylum. Articles were provisionally adopted on the granting of asylum, on definition of categories of persons to whom the convention should apply, on non-refoulement, and on the activities of refugees in the country of asylum. However, the Conference was unable to agree upon a convention in the time allotted, and in its report recommended that the General Assembly convene another session. During the discussion in the Assembly, it was noted that the High Commissioner was continuing to consult with Governments on the question. The Chairman of the Third Committee proposed 1 See Y.U.N., 1972, p. 411, text of resolution 2957 (XXVII) of 12 December See Y.U.N., 1975, p. 556, text of resolution 3456 (XXX).

6 626 Economic and social questions that the High Commissioner keep the Secretary- General informed of progress in consultations with Governments so that at its next session the Assembly might have more information available to it to decide the appropriate time to reconvene the Conference. On 16 November 1977, it was decided without objection that since the Committee was not seized with a proposed resolution or decision, this summation would appear in the Third Committee's report. GOVERNMENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS PAID OR PLEDGED TO THE UNHCR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES FOR 1978 (as at 31 May 1978; in US dollars) Country Algeria Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Belgium Botswana Brazil Burma Burundi Canada Chile Colombia Cyprus Denmark Egypt Finland France Gabon Germany, Federal Republic of Ghana Greece Guinea Holy See Iceland India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Kenya Kuwait Lao People's Democratic Republic Lebanon Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Luxembourg Madagascar General programmes 2 560,605 45,882 3, ,778 1,087 3, ,524 4,514 3,550 1,475,864 4, , ,025 1,613 1,961,375 5,311 30, ,500 11,765 50,884 36,723 3, , ,097 7,857 1,022 Special programmes _ 1,588,712 3, ,775 1, ,631 3,369 2,116,911 57,285 1,514,233 4,974 3,000 55,456 10, , ,000 1,940 12,176 Total 2 2,149,317 48,914 3,456 1,133,553 1,087 1,768 3,350 1,268,155 4,514 6,919 3,592,775 4, , ,025 1,613 3,475,608 10,285 40, ,500 14, ,340 47,123 3, , ,000 10,037 20,033 1,022 Country Malaysia Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Monaco Morocco Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Niger Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea Peru Philippines Portugal Republic of Korea Romania Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sudan Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United Republic of Cameroon United Republic of Tanzania United States Venezuela Yugoslavia Zaire Zambia Total General programmes 1, , ,367 2,399,974 77,250 1,033 29,050 2,748,296 6,000 2, ,284 8,000 6,198 7,545 4,008, ,981 1,000 8,000 1,500 2,950 7,000 5,386 1,528, ,403 1,521,000 3,500 5,128 19,434,256 Special programmes 4,020, ,910,965 12,285 27, ,541, ,813 4, ,181 2,785,517 39,80 21,000 63,482,551 Total 1, , ,974 2,367 6,420,421 77,253 1,033 29,050 6,659,261 6,000 2, ,285 1,284 29,000 8,000 6, ,545 8,549, ,794 1,000 8,000 5,500 2,950 7, ,567 4,314, ,403 41,323,000 41,000 3,500 5,128 82,916,807 Documentary references Economic and Social Council63rd session Plenary meeting E/5987 and Corr.1. Report of UNHCR (A/32/12 and Corr.1). E/6020. Resolutions of Economic and Social Council, 63rd session, (decision 276 (LXIII)). General Assembly32nd session Ad Hoc Committee of General Assembly for Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to Programme of UNHCR, meeting of 18 November 1977 (A/AC.189/SR.1 and corrigendum). General Committee, meeting 4. Third Committee, meetings Plenary meetings 93, 98. A/32/12 and Corr.1. Report of UNHCR. A/32/12/Add.1. Addendum to report of UNHCR (report of 28th session of Executive Committee of High Commissioner's Programme, Geneva, 4-12 October 1977). A/C.3/32/L.26. Angola, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Federal

7 Assistance to refugees 627 Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iran, Italy, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia: draft resolution, approved without vote by Third Committee on 16 November 1977, meeting 49. A/32/352. Report of Third Committee, draft resolution I. Resolution 32/67, as recommended by Third Committee, A/32/ 352, adopted without vote by Assembly on 8 December 1977, meeting 98. The General Assembly, Having considered the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the activities of his Office and having heard his statement, Recalling its resolution 31/35 of 30 November 1976 and taking into account the additional responsibilities assumed by the High Commissioner in different parts of the world for the benefit of an increasing number of refugees and displaced persons, Recognizing the eminently humanitarian character of the various activities of the High Commissioner and the importance of permanent solutions being promoted by his Office, including voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement in other countries, Concerned by infringements of the basic human rights of refugees and the urgent need on the part of Governments to ensure their effective and continued protection, Recognizing the need for further accessions to and effective implementation by Governments of the relevant international instruments, including in particular the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, Commending the increasing number of Governments contributing to the High Commissioner's programmes and emphasizing the need for a wider sharing of the financial burden to provide the vital humanitarian assistance required by refugees and displaced persons, 1. Expresses its deep satisfaction at the efficient manner in which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and his staff continue to accomplish their humanitarian tasks; 2. Requests the High Commissioner to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons of concern to his Office, including those in urgent need of help in Africa, Asia and Latin America; 3. Further requests United Nations agencies and programmes to render the fullest possible support to the High Commissioner's humanitarian tasks; 4. Urges Governments to extend the necessary co-operation to the High Commissioner in promoting permanent and speedy solutions to the problems facing his Office through voluntary repatriation and assistance in rehabilitation of returnees, integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries as needed; 5. Further urges Governments to facilitate the efforts of the High Commissioner in the field of international protection, inter alia: (a) By considering accession to the relevant international and regional instruments established for the benefit of refugees; (b) By elaborating appropriate procedures at the national level for the effective implementation of the provisions of these instruments; (c) By following humanitarian principles with respect to the granting of asylum and ensuring that these are scrupulously observed, including the principle of non-refoulement of refugees; 6. Calls upon Governments to contribute generously towards the financing of the High Commissioner's humanitarian activities in view of the universal character of the problems facing his Office and the need for a wider financial support of the programmes being undertaken by him. A/C.3/32/L.27. Angola, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Central African Empire, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iceland, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia: draft resolution, approved without vote by Third Committee on 16 November 1977, meeting 49. A/32/352. Report of Third Committee, draft resolution II. Resolution 32/68, as recommended by Third Committee, A/32/ 352, adopted without vote by Assembly on 8 December 1977, meeting 98. The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 2957 (XXVII) of 12 December 1972, in which it decided to review, not later than at its thirty-second session, the arrangements for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with a view to determining whether the Office should be continued beyond 31 December 1978, Recognizing the need for concerted international action on behalf of the increasing numbers of refugees and displaced persons of concern to the High Commissioner, Considering the outstanding work which has been performed by the Office of the High Commissioner in providing international protection and material assistance to refugees and displaced persons as well as in promoting permanent solutions to their problems, Noting with deep appreciation the effective manner in which the Office of the High Commissioner has been dealing with various essential humanitarian tasks entrusted to it, 1. Decides to continue the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for a further period of five years from 1 January 1979; 2. Decides to review, not later than at its thirty-seventh session, the arrangements for the Office of the High Commissioner with a view to determining whether the Office should be continued beyond 31 December A/C.3/32/L.29. Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Central African Empire, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Senegal, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States, Upper Volta, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia: draft resolution, approved by acclamation by Third Committee on 16 November 1977, meeting 49. A/32/352. Report of Third Committee, draft resolution III. Resolution 32/69, as recommended by Third Committee, A/32/ 352, adopted without vote by Assembly on 8 December 1977, meeting 98. The General Assembly, Noting with deep regret that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will shortly be relinquishing his duties, Recognizing the progress achieved under his guidance in promoting humanitarian solutions to the problems of refugees and displaced persons in various parts of the world, Considering his unrelenting efforts to alleviate human suffering through the special humanitarian tasks entrusted to him in addition to the original functions of his Office,

8 628 Economic and social questions 1. Expresses its sincere appreciation and thanks to Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan for the effective and dedicated manner in which he has performed his functions as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 2. Extends its good wishes to him for success in his future undertakings. A/32/250/Add.3. Fourth report of General Committee, para. 3. A/32/252/Add.3. Allocation of agenda items for 32nd regular session of General Assembly, para. 3. A/32/401 and Add.1. Election of UNHCR. Note by Secretary- General. A/32/45. Resolutions and decisions adopted by General Assembly during its 32nd session, 20 September-21 December 1977 (decision 32/314). A/C.3/32/L.30. Angola, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Central African Empire, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia: draft resolution, approved without vote by Third Committee on 16 November 1977, meeting 49. A/32/352. Report of Third Committee, draft resolution IV. Resolution 32/70, as recommended by Third Committee, A/32/ 352, adopted without vote by Assembly on 8 December 1977, meeting 98. The General Assembly, Noting the information provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the assistance activities of his Office on behalf of refugees in southern Africa, Noting with deep concern the increasing number of refugees from Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe and recognizing the burden thus imposed upon the receiving countries, Noting the continuing efforts of the High Commissioner to extend adequate assistance to these refugees, particularly in neighbouring African States, Recognizing the close co-operation existing between the Organization of African Unity and the High Commissioner, 1. Commends the programmes of assistance already being implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and requests him further to strengthen measures for the benefit of refugees in southern Africa; 2. Urges Governments to contribute generously towards the programmes of the High Commissioner and to provide him with the necessary facilities required to assist the refugees in southern Africa, inter alia by providing opportunities for local settlement, education and vocational training; 3. Requests United Nations agencies and programmes, non-governmental organizations and voluntary agencies to extend maximum support to the High Commissioner in his efforts; 4. Requests the High Commissioner to continue his cooperation with the Organization of African Unity and to keep it currently informed of these assistance activities. Conference on Territorial Asylum A/CONF.78/12. Report of United Nations Conference on Territorial Asylum, Geneva, 10 January-4 February (Annex IV: Check list of documents of Conference.) A/32/352. Report of Third Committee, paras Other documents A/32/7/Add.5. Voluntary funds administered by UNHCR. Accounts for year ended 31 December 1976 and report of Board of Auditors. UNHCR (information tabloid): Nos. 1 (February 1977), 2 (April), 3 (June), 4 (July), 5 (October), 6 (December). UNHCR Information Material: UNHCR publication.