3.
Expulsion
The expulsion of refugees, a matter closely related to the problem of asylum, was also dealt with by the Executive Committee. This question has continued to be of concern during the period under review in that, on a number of occasions and for a variety of reasons, several States have found difficulty in permitting refugees to continue to remain in their territory and considered it necessary to resort to or envisage expulsion. Grounds for expulsion have included the illegal entry of the refugee concerned, national security implications and, frequently, considerations of a political nature. The High Commissioner has thus often been placed in the difficult position of having to request the stay of an expulsion order, while seeking, usually on an emergency basis, alternative countries of asylum, in order to prevent the hardship which expulsion necessarily implies for a refugee who cannot readily find admission to another country.
26. The very serious consequences which expulsion may have for a refugee and his immediate family living with him were recognized in the relevant conclusion of the Executive Committee, 7/ which recommended that, in line with article 32 of the 1951 Convention, such measures should only be taken in very exceptional cases and after due consideration of all the circumstances, including the possibility of the refugee being admitted to a country other than his country of origin. In the same conclusion, 8/ it was also recommended that, in cases where the implementation of an expulsion measure taken for reasons of delinquency might prove impracticable, States should consider giving refugee delinquents the same treatment as national delinquents and examine the possibility of elaborating an international instrument in that regard.
4.
27.
Personal safety of refugees
While measures to ensure the physical protection of refugees are primarily the responsibility of the Governments of the countries of residence, the personal safety of refugees continues to be of the utmost concern to the High Commissioner. The Office has therefore continued to investigate and intervene systematically with the competent national authorities in cases where refugees have been in danger.
28. In a limited number of countries, individual refugees and refugee groups have been subject to harassment and intimidation, physical violence, abduction, torture and even murder. In one particular country, where a substantial number of refugees remain in detention, UNHCR has continued its endeavours to gain access to them, often unsuccessfully, and to promote, in accordance with a particular constitutional provision, the release and departure of those for whom visas have been obtained. The practice whereby lists of names of refugees have been regularly submitted to the competent authorities, principally with a view to avoiding their forcible return to their country of origin, has also been continued.
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7/ Ibid., para. 53 (5) (c). 8/ Ibid., para. 53 (5) (a).
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