CONFIDENTIAL
/C
/D
/E,/F
/G
the UNHCR's 1987 paper.
The UK representative (flag C) noted inter alia that his delegation supported the conclusions of the Sub-Committee and hoped they would be unanimously adopted.
5.
In the middle of 1980 the Australians put out their views on temporary refuge in a memorandum called "Australian Views on the International Protection of Refugees: Temporary Refuge and International Solidarity" (flag D). They considered that the distinction between "asylum" and "temporary refuge" corresponded broadly to the distinction in the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, between "legally in the territory" (Article 32) and "illegally in the country" (Article 31). They objected to alternative terminology on this subject i.e. temporary asylum, first asylum, provisional asylum and temporary residence - as the qualification "temporary", "first" or "provisional", used to imply that the refugee may be obliged to seek residence elsewhere, conflicted with the basic meaning of the term "asylum" understood in relation to the 1951 Convention. They called for an inter- sessional meeting of experts to pursue this study particularly in regard to its relationship with other concepts and principles of international refugee law and existing legal instruments.
6.
The UK did not (flags E and F) reject the Australian proposals outright but considered that they should not overshadow more practical initiatives on the refugee problem. The concept "temporary refuge" did not tackle the root of the problem, and efforts towards repatriation or persuading the countries or origin to avoid creating the conditions which led people to flee, were more important. The UK believed that the creation of a new status or class of refugee, which was guaranteed greater security may lead to countries being less inclined to allow refugees in in the first place. The prevailing circumstances at least gave receiving countries an awareness of the options available.
7. The High Commissioner (see his Note on International Protection)at the UNHCR Executive Committee's 31st Session in October 1980, (flag G) praised the efforts of the international community to relieve the burden on first asylum countries of asylum-seekers arriving in boats. He noted there was increased willingness to grant temporary admission, although the principle of non-refoulement had been violated by one country. The unfortunate practice of regarding asylum-seekers as illegal immigrants, and the problem of durable solutions were also highlighted. The Executive Committee's session conclusions on international protection (flag H) reiterated those of the previous year (Conclusion 19 (XXXI) of the 1987 UNHCR paper).
じ
SALAFQ
CONFIDENTIAL