Refugee questions subject of third committee scrutiny in November.

Refugee questions subject of Thrid Committee scrutiny in November

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved nine texts relating to refugees, following a wide-ranging discussion of many aspects of that problem, both global and regional, during November. The General Assembly adopted the texts as recommended on 13 December.

By resolution 40/118 adopted without a vote, the General Assembly condemned all violations of the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers, particularly those perpetrated by "military or armed attacks" against refugee camps.

The "failure to rescue asylum-seekers in distress at sea" was also condemned, and the Assembly urged States, in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international bodies, to take "all measures necessary" to ensure the safety of refugees and asylum-seekers.

The Assembly also urged States to support UNHCR's efforts to achieve solutions to the problem of refugees primarily through voluntary repatriation or return, including assistance to returnees or integration of refugees into countries of asylum or resettlement in third countries.

The "fundamental nature" of the High Commissioner's function to provide international protection was reaffirmed, as was the need for Governments to co-operate with UNHCR by "scrupulously observing" the principles of asylum and non-refoulement.

Other resolutions adopted by the Assembly, all without a vote, dealt with the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa; specific situations of returnees, refugees or displaced persons in Chad, Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Sudan and Somalia; assistance to student refugees in southern Africa; and an expression of appreciation to the outgoing High Commissioner.

Poul Hartling, High Commissioner for Refugees, introducing the UNHCR report (A/40/12) in the Third Committee, said that the work of the Office was "entirely non-political" and was guided by genuine humanitarian principles. "We do not work for any State, not for any movement, not for any ideology. We work for the refugee, for the human being, for the individual," he said.

UNHCR must enjoy the confidence and trust of all States, Mr. Hartling told the Committee. The fact that the Office was receiving $500 million a year in voluntary contributions from about 100 countries, proved that it enjoyed the confidence of donor countries. If the Office lost credibility, its work for refugees would not receive the necessary funds.

Other action: By resolution 40/117, the international community was urged to maintain the momentum created by the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa (Geneva, 9-11 July 1984) and to translate into reality the goals set out in the Declaration and Programme of Action agreed on by the Conference.

The Assembly emphasized the "vital importance" of the complementarity of refugee aid and development assistance and of achieving durable solutions to the problems of refugees on that continent, and requested the High Commissioner to continue to keep the situation of refugees in Africa under review so as to ensure that adequate assistance is available for care and for bringing about durable solutions.

Some texts addressed individual situations in African countries. By resolution 40/135, the Assembly expressed "grave concern" at the shrinking resources available for refugee programmers in the Sudan and the "serious consequences" of continuing to host and provide assistance to the increasing number of refugees. The Secretary-General was asked to send a high-level inter-agency mission to assess the magnitude of assistance required for refugee programmes there, as well as the impact of the refugees on the economy and vital public services, with a view to preparing a comprehensive programme of assistance.

In two other texts, the Assembly appealed to Member States, international organizations and voluntary agencies to render maximum material, financial and technical assistance Somalia in its efforts to provide assistance to refugees (resolution 40/132) and to Ethiopia in its efforts to provide relief and rehabilitation to displaced persons, voluntary returnees and refugees in that country (resolution 40/133).

In resolution 40/134, the Assembly called for humanitarian assistance to refugees in Djibouti by urging the High Commissioner to continue to take measures to ensure that lasting solutions would be implemented to assist those refugees. Efforts were to be made to mobilize the necessary assistance to enable the Government to cope effectively with the refugee problem which has been "aggravated by the debilitating effects of the prolonged drought".

The Assembly also called on the High Commissioner to work towards mobilizing emergency assistance to returnees and displaced persons in Chad (resolution 40/136). All states and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations were asked to support by "generous contributions" the efforts being made by that Government to assist and resettle the voluntary returnees and displaced persons.

The Assembly requested the High Commissioner, in co-operation with the Secretary-General, to continue to organize and implement an effective programme of educational and other appropriate assistance for student refugees from Namibia and South Africa who have been granted asylum in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia. Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations were urged to continue contributing generously to the assistance programme for student refugees (resolution 40/138).

Other reports: The major report before the Committee was the UNHCR report, which described the Office's effort to find solutions to refugee problems amidst seriously deteriorating conditions, particularly in Africa. The promotion of refugee self-reliance projects was emphasized. Care and maintenance programmes should be continued where solutions could not be immediately attained, the report stated.

Major assistance programmes continued in Pakistan, host to the world's largest refugee population; in South-East Asia, for Indochinese refugees; and in Somalia and the Sudan. Between November 1984 and February 1985, the High Commissioner made special appeals for African refugees.

UNHCR promoted voluntary repatriation movements--from Thailand to the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Ethiopian refugees from Djibouti; Ugandan refugees from the Sudan and Zaire; and Argentine refugees from Europe and the Americas. Resettlement in third countries remained the primary solution for Indochinese refugees, some 68,500 of whom were resettled in third countries in 1984. An additional 29,000 were reunited with family members abroad under the Orderly Departure Programme.

Of UNHCR's 1,000 assistance projects, more than one third are implemented by the 300 international and national non-governmental organizations with which it works.

The Committee also reviewed the report of the Executive Committee of UNHCR on its thirty-sixth session (Geneva, 7-18 October 1985) (A/40/12/Add.1). The 41-member body approved the revised target of $319 million for the 1985 general programme, down $65 million from the 1984 target. A target of $330 million for general programmes in 1986 was also approved.

The Executive Committee heard statements on the unprecedented financial crisis being experienced by UNHCR. New pledges at the session totalled $35 million. The remaining shortfall stood at $40 million.

Projected expenditures in 1986 would be highest in Pakistan ($51.1 million). Other costs are: Somalia ($22.9 million), Sudan ($21.7 million), Thailand ($21.6 million), Honduras ($11.5 million), Iran ($11.3 million), Ethiopia ($10.3 million), Mexico ($9.9 million), Zaire ($8.8 million), and Costa Rica ($8.7 million).

The Secretary-General, reporting on assistance to refugees in Africa (A/40/425), said there had been a "severe deterioration" in the refugee situation in Africa, and rehabilitation and medium-term development actions must be undertaken as soon as possible.

Donors had indicated that priority had been given to projects in water supply, health care and agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Other projects were to improve roads, bridges and port facilities.

The report (A/40/135), of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) on refugees in South-East Asia (1979-1983) stated that since 1979, UNHCR had resettled close to 1 million Indochinese refugees, representing the largest intercontinental movement of refugees in its history, and had channelled some $700 million to that region.

The restrictive refugee admission policies of first asylum countries of the region tended to obstruct, if not impede, the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers, the report stated. The increasing reluctance of potential resettlement countries to accept large numbers of refugees, or award refugee status, had narrowed the options of UNHCR.

Proposals related to the convening of a regional meeting on the Indochinese refugee problem; intensification of efforts to relax national asylum policies, particularly for seagoing refugees; establishing a reliable refugee data base to determine validity of claims; intensification of monitoring; and encouraging employed refugees to contribute to upgrading camp conditions.

Country reports: Reports on refugees and displaced persons in certain African countries were reviewed. Regarding Somalia (A/40/586), it was noted that because of that nation's inadequate resources, lack of infrastructure and land pressures, some 700,000 refugees in 36 camps had not been absorbed. In late 1984, some 50,000 persons of concern to UNHCR arrived from Ethiopia. Assistance for new arrivals--which had increased during the first five months of 1985 to some 150,000 persons--had been provided under a special programme of emergency relief assistance.

Regarding displaced persons in Ethiopia (A/40/587), details were given regarding aid to Sudanese refugees in Itang, voluntary repatriation from Djibouti and assistance to other returnees to Ethiopia. The influx of refugees from southern Sudan to a region in western Ethiopia continued throughout 1984 and during the first months of 1985. The Government estimated the total number of refugees there at 180,000. UNHCR assistance was limited to some 72,000 persons at Itang camp and to some other refugees.

Regarding Djibouti, (A/40/588), the number of refugees there in 1984 was estimated at 14,231, with most living in camps in two districts. Resettlement had not kept pace with demand, and voluntary repatriation remained the most viable solution. The Tripartite Commission, comprised of the Governments of Djibouti and Ethiopia and of UNHCR, had agreed to end the organized repatriation programme at the end of 1984 and to close one camp. From September 1983 to December 1984, there were 24 organized repatriation movements by rail. Some 2,005 families were voluntarily repatriated and many others returned on their own initiative.

On Sudan (A/40/589), the number of persons of concern to UNHCR there had risen recently to 1 million. However, the number of refugees, excluding newly arrived drought victims and displaced persons, remained static during 1984 at 690,000--comprising 484,000 Ethiopians, 200,000 Ugandans, 5,000 Zairians and 1,000 refugees from Chad.

As for student refugees in southern Africa (A/40/590), an important event in that region had been a seminar on the international protection of refugees in east and southern Africa (Addis Ababa, 28 January-1 February 1985).

Debate

During debate, many delegations addressed the various phenomena which cause flows of refugees, including natural disasters, such as the famine and drought in Africa, persecution, political and social intolerance, foreign occupation, or a lack of civil and political rights which make citizens fear for their lives. They called on States to change policies that had resulted in refugee flows so that those who wished to return home could do so freely and safely.

Many felt that voluntary repatriation was the "best solution" and that ideally those countries which made it possible for their countrymen to return in safety would also offer them special assistance to resettle. If voluntary repatriation was not possible, most delegations felt that refugees should be granted asylum or resettlement in third countries.

Countries hosting refugees noted the numbers and reasons for refugee flows and outlined how they were attempting to handle the problems.

Most developing countries hosting refugees referred to the financial and other burdens involved in assisting them due to limited resources and urgent development needs. Asian and African countries particularly stressed the need for additional aid from the international community.

AFRICA

Somalia said new refugee arrivals continued to add to the country's burdens. Somalia could not attempt to absorb a vast new population, but knew that voluntary repatriation was not possible as long as political conditions in the countries of origin persisted. The international community must exert political and diplomatic pressure to deal with the root causes of the refugee problem in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia said it had been a "target" of those who wanted to use the plight of refugees as a political instrument to interfere in its domestic affairs and to advance their "territorial ambitions". Meanwhile, it had to shoulder the burden of caring for tens of thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries. As a result of the efforts of Djibouti, Ethiopia and UNHCR, tens of thousands of Ethiopian refugees, who had left the country due to "the war of aggression" imposed on Ethiopia, had been voluntarily repatriated from Djibouti. Ethiopia was "ready and willing" to solve the refugee problem in the region through a programme of voluntary repatriation and had extended amnesty to all Ethiopians wishing to return.

Djibouti said that over an eight-year period the country had given asylum to over 50,000 refugees, representing 12 per cent of its population. That had placed a considerable burden on Djibouti's "fragile" social and economic infrastructure. While the bulk of the refugee population had returned to countries of origin through voluntary repatriation, that process had been hampered by the persistent severe drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. More than 20,000 refugees and displaced persons still remained in the country.

Sudan said that from late 1984 to early 1985, more than 80,000 new refugees had arrived in the country. Today Sudan hosted 1.3 million refugees. The proportion was now one refugee to every 18 citizens. Only 600,000 of those refugees were receiving outside assistance, with Sudan providing the rest. The "daily worsening" of the problem posed a threat to Sudan's ability to receive more refugees without further assistance from the international community.

The Central African Republic hosted numerous refugees, including 100,000 from Chad. That was a "considerable burden" for a land-locked developing country with limited resources and urgent development needs. The Government urged an overall political solution that would allow those refugees from Chad to return home. Support from the international community was needed, as was identification and remedying underlying causes of the refugee problem, which included drought, war, inteolerance and massive human rights violations resulting from attacks on the sovereignty of States.

Swaziland, as well as others in southern Africa, had made substantial efforts to settle South African refugees. As a result of south Africa's destabilization of Mozambique, Swaziland had a new influex of refugees from that country, approximately 40 per cent of whom were children under 14 years old. As of August 1985, 2,200 Mozambican refugees had settled in the country and they continued to arrive at a rate of more than 20 persons a day. Continued support from the international community was essential.

Zaire had welcome more than half a million refugees, sharing with them its meagre resources. It would continue to do whatever was necessary to ease their suffering. Zaire commended the efforts of the High Commissioner in view of the growing number of refugees and the emergency conditions being faced in Africa. The Government supported UNHCR in seeking voluntary repatriation.

The United Republic of Tanzania said certain countries which were neighbours of South Africa had to carry the "heavy burden" of an influx of refugees. Those countries had the right to demand assistance from the international community. There had been occasions where extension of humanitarian assistance had been made "selectively and subjectively". Sometimes admission had been withheld or delayed while eligibility for refugee status was being debated. Refugees had frequently, during the waiting period, been detained in concentration camps or forced back, sometimes to their death.

The United Republic of Tanzania had seven refugee settlements, all but one of which were producing enough to feed themselves. Refugee aid and development given by the High Commissioner should continue material support to settlements handed over to asylum countries in order to keep infrastructures intact. The Government was "disappointed" at the attitude of some Powers that had blocked agreement on principles for the prohibition of military attacks on refugee camps. The Assembly should ask UNHCR to continue efforts to reach agreement on that matter.

ASIA

Viet Nam said countries of settlement had not fully responded to the aspirations of Indochinese refugees and needed to provide more resettlement opportunities. Departures of those Vietnamese awaiting resettlement acceptance from receiving countries and to whom exit visas had been issued had to be expedited. The United States should end its practice of discriminating between refugees leaving legally and illegally. Thousands of people interviewed by the United States needed to be given priority for resettlement opportunities in the United States.

Democratic Kampuchea said Viet Nam should bear full responsibility for the flows of refugees to neighbouring countries. In Kampuchea, people had joined the national resistance forces or become refugees, instead of being reduced to "a state of bondage by the occupiers". The refugee problem in Kampuchea would be resolved with the return of peace, independence and stability in Kampuchea, after the total withdrawal of all foreign forces from the country.

China said only when the country committing aggression against Kampuchea stopped its acts of aggression and expansion and gave up its policy of exporting refugees could the tide of refugees be stemmed. Only when the foreign military occupation of Afghanistan was terminated could the several millions of Afghan refugees return to their homeland in safety. China had accepted 280,000. Indochinese refugees, despite its stringent economy and heavy population burden.

Malaysia said that since 1975, hundreds of thousands of Indochinese illegal immigrants and displaced persons had sought refuge and protection in Malaysia. Ten years later Malaysia was still providing humanitarian assistance to those people, and the much needed fund for the country's economic development had been affected by relief operations. As for illegal Vietnamese refugees, Malaysia would continue to provide humanitarian assistance, such as first transit facilities to those people pending their resettlement in third countries.

Thailand said it had been a "first refuge" for hundreds of thousands of displaced persons from Indo-China. Since the beginning of 1985, the number of Laotian displaced persons had "dramatically increased" almost every month and the number of Vietnamese fleeing their homeland continued to increase at "an alarming rate". Thailand called on the "traditional and potential" resettlement countries to intensify their efforts to provide resettlement opportunities, stressing that since 1975, temporary refuge in the countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations had been granted on the understanding that resettlement in third countries would be guaranteed. Thailand regretted the "brutal attacks" on refugee encampments along the Thai-Kampuchean border, which forced an additional 250,000 Kampuchean civilians to flee their homeland and seek temporary refuge in Thailand.

The Lao People's Democratic Republic said the refugees' problems were rooted in the imperialist, hegemonist and expansionist policies of interference in the internal affairs of States. Because of the "organized propaganda" from one neighbouring country and because Laos faced a post-war economic hardship, a part of the population had left the country. The Government had done everything possible to prevent that exodus and worked to encourage genuince voluntary repatriation. Some 15,000 Laotians had already returned from camps in Thailand. Although voluntary repatriation of Laotian refugees continued, some circles persevered in their efforts to "tarnish" the country. Had any of their charges been legitimate, there would have been no voluntary returnees.

Afghanistan said a line must be drawn between truly displaced people and "politically motivated saboteurs and criminals" who had fled. Pakistan, under the rule of the military regime, had been turned by imperialists into the "main springboard of aggression" against Afghanistan. Pakistan's encouragement and support to rebels had been the main cause for the continued insurgency in Afghanistan. "Lies, coercion and terror" by counter-revolutionaries had temporarily forced the fugitives to enter what some delegates called "refugee camps". Those "refugees" were given considerable amounts of assistance, which strengthened their armed attacks against Afghanistan.

The solution to the issue of the return of Afghan "fugitives" to their homeland should be solved through political stabilization of the situation around Afghanistan. The Government had engaged in "constructive negotiations" with Pakistan through the representative of the Secretary-General and believed that more progress might have been made had the other side abandoned its "intransigence" in refusing to negotiate directly and had it displayed "sincerity and consistency". Those calling loudest for a solution to the problem were those doing 'everything possible" to subvert the process of talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The undeclared war against Afghanistan was an expression of the United States "global policy of aggression, expansionism, diktat and intimidation".

Pakistan said because it was a developing country, the three million Afghan refugees which it hosted had placed "a great strain on its limited resources". Conditions must be created in Afghanistan, through the withdrawal of the foreign forces, to enable the refugees to return to their homes. The major burden of the refugees was borne by Pakistan, because assistance fell far short of the needs of the Afghan refugees. Pakistan hoped that the international community would respond "more generously" to those needs. Pakistan would not negotiate with a regime that was kept in power by foreign troops. It rejected the Kabul regime's "baseless charges" and said Pakistan had no interest in interfering in Afghanistan.

Iran said it was hosting more than 1.8 million Afghan refugees, and several hundred thousand Iraqi citizens. In addition, more than two million Iranians had been driven from their homes by war. Those population movements had created economic, demographic and social problems in the country, which should be dealt with "more seriously" by the international community. "Real and meaningful burden-sharing" was needed.

Iran said that hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens had been expelled from Iraq simply for being of Iranian origin. The continuous bombardment of civilians in Iranian cities was another example of abuse of innocent citizens. The Iraqi regime had initiated the war of aggression in the "vain hope" of overthrowing the Iranian Government.

Iraq said Iran had referred to questions that had nothing to do with refugees and had sought to inject politics into discussion of a humanitarian question. The war between Iraq and Iran had not been forced on Iran. Iraq had responded to all the peace initiatives of the United Nations, the Islamic Conference and the Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries, while Iran had refused to accept any. The displaced persons Iran referred to were Iranians who had "abused" the generosity of Iraq and co-operated with Iran, Iraq had reacted on the basis of national sovereignty and law, as any State would have done.

MIDDLE EAST

Lebanon hosted thousands of refugees, and was also the benefeciary of support for programmes benefitting refugees. Solutions to the problems of refugees could be found in their political causes. They could not be applied haphazardly, nor could they be identical; they must depend on each set of circumstances. Conditions to enable refugees to return to their homelands should be promoted.

Cyprus said it shared the suffering of refugees the world over, because almost 200,000 of its people had been "forcibly expelled" from their ancestral homes and lands. They had become destitute refugees in their own country as a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974, which had resulted in the military occupation of nearly 40 per cent of the territory. Turkish allegations that the Turkish Cypriots had been oppressed were "propaganda fabrications". Cyprus was committed to the return of all displaced persons, and to a united Cyprus.

Greece said the case of displaced persons in Cyprus was of particular importance to it. Approximately 200,000 Greek Cypriots had fled their homes in 1974, forced to do so by the Turkish invasion and the resulting occupation of part of their islands, thus constituting "a rare case of refugees in their own country". Eleven years later, "they still waited for a chance to return".

Turkey said "gross counter-truths" had been put forward regarding Cyprus. In 1974, Turkey had had "no option" but to protect the Turkish population of Cyprus, which had suffered from discrimination on the basis of race and nationality. Today, in northern Cyprus, the situation was constitutional. All in that area enjoyed peace and had no wish to return to their former condition.

LATIN AMERICA 

Honduras hosted between 40,000-50,000 refugees--1 refugee for every 100 Hondurans. The movements of tens of thousands of people had resulted in some "subversive elements infiltrating the camps for political purposes" regarding conflicts outside of Honduras. The Government and UNHCR would continue to seek ways to better exercise control over the camps. The establishment of a democratic Government in El Salvador had led to a dialogue in order to improve the refugee situation. A Tripartite Commission had been established--with representatives from Honduras, El Salvador and UNHCR--to set guidelines for voluntary repatriation. Honduras had also begun to resettle some Nicaraguan refugees of Indian origin.

Nicaragua had assisted in the past year some 1,929 refugees, most of Salvadorian origin. In some other countries, however, refugees were often denied the right to work, and subjected to kidnapping and other forms of persecution. Nicaraguan refugees in other countries often had to "escape" from camps in order to return to their own country. An amnesty decree would be in existence in the country until July 1986. The Government was engaged in consultations with the people of its Atlantic coast, in order to give them a degree of autonomy. As a result, many who had previously been forced to flee were now returning to the country.

Guatemala had experienced the forced displacement of important sectors of its population due to "subversive violence". Many had been forced to leave the Guatemalan Plateau and had taken refuge in Mexico. Those refugees were invited to return voluntarily and rejoin their communities. Guatemala sought not only to offer them protection, but to make it possible for them to return to their customary employment and participate in national development.

Mexico said a "new dimension" of the refugee situation had been witnessed in Central America. In that regard, the colloquium that had taken place in Cartagena in 1984 had been useful and the agreement reached would have a significant political impact. Mexico had always respected the principle of asylum, and had adopted measures for long-lasting solutions. In return, those who received asylum must respect the traditions and laws of the country.

OTHERS

The USSR said the political and material responsibility for the refugee problem had to be borne by circles which were unleashing wars and armed conflicts, supporting fascist regimes and carrying out policies of clonialism and racism. The solution to refugee problems must be found in eliminating those situations.

Pakistan was allowing its territory to be used as "a base for the training of mercenaries". The limited contingent of troops in Afghanistan would be withdrawn when intervention in that country ceased. Military intervention in Afghanistan stemmed from the aggression of the United States.

Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Economic Community, said the Community's refugee aid to developing countries in 1984 totalled $214 million. The Ten were ready to help find political and diplomatic solutions to put an end to the underlying causes that engendered refugee situations.

The United States viewed seriously the need for "efficient and cost-effective management" in administering UNHCR. The availability of American funds was not unlimited and the United States Congress was scrutinizing its activities more closely. Viet Nam had blamed the United States for not agreeing immediately to receive all the people wishing to leave that country. It had not hinted at its responsibility for the situation in Cambodia or its "oppression" of its own people. The United States also noted that the General Assembly's plea for withdrawal from Afghanistan had "not been made to the United States Marine Corps."