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5.
There were no new major refugee programmes nor administrative problems to debate this year. But political issues as usual needed attention. A set of draft principles on the prohibition of military attacks on refugee camps and settlements could not command a consensus because of its political, rather than legal, content.
6.
The main theme of the High Commissioner's opening statement was durable solutions. This was picked up by many speakers in the general debate who emphasised that the best durable solution was
voluntary repatriation. The UK statement in the general debate is reproduced as Annex I to this report.
7. A slightly longer agenda created some difficulties and squeezed
the time available for the later items.
Detail
8. The remainder of this report contains a factual record of attendance of the proceedings in plenary and in the two Sub-Committees,
and other points of interest. A full set of the official documents of the Session is being sent separately to the department.
Organisation and Attendance
9. The 34th Session was attended by all 41 member governments of the Executive Committee. 36 other governments attended as observers
together with 13 UN organisations, the European Community, 6 inter- governmental organisations, the ANC, PAC and SWAPO, 34 NGOs and 36 other agencies involved in cooperation programmes with UNHCR. Lesotho, Uganda, Tanzania and Sudan were represented by Ministers. A Vietnamese Delegation headed by a Minister again visited Geneva the week before the Session. The Nansen Medal this year was awarded to President Nyerere of Tanzania for his country's services to refugees.
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