Pirate attacks on asylum-seekers
11. The problem of pirate attacks on asylum-seekers in one region has assumed alarming proportions since the Executive Committee's thirtieth session. As mentioned in the High Commissioner's Report to the General Assembly (E/1980/79, para.29), a very high percentage of asylum-seekers leaving their country of origin in boats are reported to have been victims - and in some cases repeatedly of such pira te attacks. The survivors of these attacks have given harrowing accounts of robbery, abduction, rape and murder. The action being taken by those Governments which are directly concerned to ensure that pirate attacks on asylum-seekers are effectively intercepted and that those accused of organizing or participating in such attacks are duly brought to justice are greatly to be welcomed. The High Commissioner is
in close and regular contact with these and other interested Governments with a view to examining what further action to eradicate this grave problem might be envisaged. He trusts that these efforts will receive the full support of the Executive Committee.
12. In view of the fact that the problem of piracy is a general one and is not limited to asylum-seekers, the High Commissioner has also brought this matter specifically to the attention of the Secretary-General with a view to its being given consideration by the United Nations.
International instruments relating to refugees
13.
Since the Executive Committee's thirtieth session, a further seven States have become parties to the United Nations Convention and to the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. This represents a record number of accessions in any one year and brings the number of States parties to the Convention and/or to the Protocol to 83. The question of accession is, moreover, under active consideration by a number of States. These developments are of particular significance since accession to the international refugee instruments represents a further strengthening of the legal framework for the protection of refugees. Accession also implies a reaffirmation of the internationally-recognized standards for the treatment of refugees which, in view of the serious problems currently existing in the field of international protection, is of the utmost importance. Despite the progress achieved, however, it is still the case that in various parts of the world where major refugee problems exist, refugees continue to be without the basic minimum protection afforded by the Convention and the Protocol. It is therefore of the utmost urgency that further States accede to these instruments in the near future.
Travel documents
14.
It will be recalled that at its thirtieth session the Executive Committee considered the difficulties encountered by refugees in certain countries in obtaining travel documents and stressed the need for.States to issue such documentation. The High Commissioner is encouraged to note an increasing willingness by Governments to issue travel documents with a period of validity and return clauses of sufficient length. The Office has continued to arrange for the printing of Convention Travel Documents to be made available to Governments for issue to refugees. Since the Committee's thirtieth session, the Office has received an increasing number of requests - and for increasing quantities from Governments for such Convention Travel Documents. The Convention Travel Document now exists in four versions: English/French; French/English; Arabic/English/French; and Spanish/French/English.
A Portuguese/French/English version is in the course of preparation.