42.
With a view to ensuring that the interests of refugees were adequately feguarded in the draft instruments under consideration, the Office participated
meetings of the Special Committee of Governmental Experts to prepare a draft Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Arab States and at the Third Session of the Preparatory Intergovernmental Committee on the Revision of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. The Office has also continued to follow developments concerning the Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly on the Drafting of an International Convention against the taking of Hostages and, within the Council of Europe, the European Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism.
6.
Implementation of international instruments
43. While accession to the relevant international instruments, particularly the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol, is of primary importance, it is not in itself sufficient to ensure effective implementation of internationally accepted standards for the treatment of refugees. In several instances, the necessary legislative and administrative measures of implementation have not been taken or remain incomplete.
44.
By article 35 of the 1951 Convention and the corresponding article II of the 1967 Protocol, contracting States undertake to co-operate with the Office in the exercise of its functions and particularly in facilitating its duty of supervising the application of the provisions of these instruments. UNHCR is currently in touch with Governments of contracting States with regard to various aspects of implementation.
45. Adequate implementation of the relevant international instruments usually implies a long-term continuous promotional effort to bring about the necessary modification and development of municipal law. The representation of the High Commissioner in each country where there is a significant refugee problem is also from this point of view an essential requirement. In this respect, the High Commissioner welcomes the support given to his policy of strengthening UNHCR protection activities, as expressed by the Executive Committee in its relevant conclusion. 12/
7.
Determination of refugee status
46. The determination of refugee status was examined in depth by the Executive Committee on the basis of a report submitted to the Sub-Committee of the Whole. Although in itself a technical requirement, the determination of refugee status is normally an essential prerequisite for the application of the relevant legal instrument in any given individual case. Neither the 1951 Convention nor the 1967 Protocol indicates the procedure to be adopted for the determination of refugee status, leaving it to each contracting State to establish the procedure which it considers appropriate. While there is necessarily considerable diversity in procedure from one country to another, it is considered desirable that such different national procedures should meet a number of common basic
12/ Ibid., para. 53 (1) (b).
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