A/AC.96/579 page 4
Developments in regard to international protection at the regional level
15. Experience has shown that the High Commissioner's efforts in the field of international protection may be greatly assisted by action at the regional level. Such action taken either by intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations or bodies can be especially valuable in that it takes duc account of the specific problems and difficulties existing in the particular region concerned.
16. In view of recent developments in Asia, the problem of the international protection of refugees in that region has assumed particular significance and urgency. Current problems relating to the international protection of refugees and displaced persons in Asia wore reviewed by a Round Tablo of Asian Experts which met in Manila, Philippines from 14 to 18 April 1980 and which was attended by exports from countries within the Asian region, including those most directly concerned with the refugee problem.
17.
The Round Table adopted the Manila Declaration on the International Protection of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Asia which, inter alia, stresses the fundamental importance of the principles of asylum and non-refoulement and calls upon States of the Asian region to consider seriously accession to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol. The Round Table also "recognized that while international solidarity and co-operation should not be a precondition for compliance with basic humanitarian principles, they are indispensible for satisfactorily resolving problems of refugees and displaced persons in situations of large-scale influx".
18. The Round Table also considered the problem of pirato attacks to which reference has been made above and adopted the Manila Declaration on Pirate Attacks on Refugees and Displaced Persons. In this Declaration the Round Table, inter alia,
19.
"Urges Statos within whose waters pirate attacks occur to take immediately all measures necessary to suppress completely such attacks, to assist persons who are victims thereof and to prosecute those responsible". ☺/
1979..2/
The Committoo has already been informed of the work of the Conference on the Situation of Refugees in Africa held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania from 7 to 17 May 1979. 2/ In the Note on International Protection submitted to the Committee at its thirtieth session, the High Commissioner expressed the view that the work of the Conference would constitute an important factor in improving the legal situation of refugees in Africa and would help further to strengthen the principles established for the treatment of refugees at the universal level. 3/ The Office
is in close contact with the Secretariat of the Organization of African Unity, which was entrusted by the Arusha Conference with the task of ensuring that its recommendations are effectively implemented. A joint OAU/UNHCR Working Group has recently been established and is proceeding with the task of reviewing on a regular basis the process of implementation of the Arusha recommendations.
1 Manila Declaration on Pirate Attacks on Refugees and Displaced Persons,
(A/AC.96/INF.162).
2/ A/AC.96/INF.158.
3 A/AC.96/567, para.10.