34. In Europe, where the protection of refugees as regards social security and
ployment benefits is generally favourable, various bilateral agreements as a result of which refugees and stateless persons are treated on the same terms as nationals have been concluded and/or come into force between several countries, such as Austria and Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany and Sweden, and the Federal Republic of Germany and Spain.
1.
35.
C.
International instruments 10/
Statute of the Office of the High Cormissioner
With the emergence in recent years of new refugee problems in a large number of countries, many of which are not parties to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, the Statute of the Office of the High Commissioner has assumed increasing importance. The Statute, together with subsequent resolutions of the General Assembly, defines the mandate entrusted to the High Commissioner by the international community. It owes its practical significance to the fact that it is universal in scope and supports the action. of UNHCR irrespective of a State's adherence to the Convention or Protocol. Apart from its importance in those countries which are not parties to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, the Statute is also the basis for protection in those countries where refugees are excluded from the application of these instruments on account of the geographical limitation or the 1951 dateline.
2.
1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees
36. During the period under review, Costa Rica, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, and Sao Tome and Principe have acceded to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol. With these new accessions, the total number of States parties to these instruments has now risen respectively to 72 and 67 and the High Commissioner has been informed that a number of other States are actively considering accession. It will be recalled that the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol constitute the most important codification of the rights of refugees yet attempted at the international level and provide that refugees shall in many respects receive the same treatment as nationals.
3. The Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention
37. There have been no further accessions to the OAU Convention of 1969 Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, the total of States parties remaining at 18. This Convention complements at the regional level the provisions of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol and includes several important provisions favourable to the grant of asylum. It also includes provisions regarding voluntary repatriation.
10/ For a table showing the status of accessions to the relevant instruments, see annex I to the present report.
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