CONFIDENTIAL
37TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF UNHCR
BRIEF 2 (L): UNHCR'S MANDATE
FCC contibuctioe
LINE TO TAKE
1. Basis of UNHCR's mandate is and must remain, the
Statute.
2. Have agreed to extension of UNHCR's mandate by
various UNGA resolutions on humanitarian grounds (eg
use of 1969 OAU Convention definition in Africa)
3. But must not extend mandate of UNHCR too far lest
this undermine international sympathy and support for
true ("mandate") refugees.
BACKGROUND
4.
The General Assembly, in resolution 319 (IV) of
3 December 1949, decided to establish, as of 1 January
1951, a High Commissioner's Office for Refugees.
The functions of the Office were set out in an annex to
the resolution. These functions were elaborated and
clarified in the Statute of the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, adopted by the
General Assembly in the annex to resolution 428 (V) of
14 December 1950. Under the terms of his Statute, the
High Commissioner is required to provide international
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CONFIDENTIAL