who were in genuine need.
9.
Iraq claimed that there were many causes for refugee flows but that armed conflicts were the major source. They condemned Israel and military attacks on refugee camps stating that EXCOM must prohibit such attacks. In availethe attack on Iran they called
for peace and an end to all wars!
10. The League of Arab Lawyers identified abuses of human rights as the main cause of refugee flows. If observance of human rights and the independence of judiciary were maintained one of the major causes of refugee flows would be removed. The League called on all states to ratify 51 and 67 convention and protocol, and would do its utmost to encourage Arab states to ratify and to draw up their own regional instruments. Within Africa the League would urge states to ratify the OAU charter on human rights and the OAU refugee convention. NGOS must assist UNHCR in such activities. The League also referred to the need for international protection of refugees and measures to prohibit military attacks on refugee camps. They also called on the international community to eradicate apartheid and thereby South African aggression on its neighbours including refugees.
11. In summary the UNHCR thanked delegates for their support for UNHCR, especially the field activities of UNHCR. They claimed that yet more work had to be done. UNHCR noted with gratitude the unanimous expression of concern at the growing complexity of refugee problems and noted also the manifest will to work out an overall global strategy of burden sharing. They were pleased to note that countries of first asylum in the least developed parts of the world had received encouragement and support from donor countries. This must continue to ensure the protection of refugees.
12. UNHCR also noted the will of governments confronted with major asylum seeker problems to achieve a solution which defended the rights and dignity of the asylum seeker. UNHCR said that it was important to review the problems faced by states in order to find solutions especially to such questions as detention and military attacks. UNHCR hoped that delegations had the will to reach consensus on the action required and on the elaboration of criteria to allow UNHCR to conduct its activities and provide the necessary solutions.
13.
UNHCR noted that increased efforts were required to protect refugee women. Certain actions had already been taken but more was needed.
14. UNHCR noted the comments on its reorgnisation but promised to discuss this in more detail in January. UNHCR thanked donors for contributions but more was needed in 1986 and states should soon start pledging for their contributions to 1987 programmes. UNHCR hoped that in 1987 they would be able to maintain funds for at least 6 months programmes at any one time. This would obviously require the full cooperation of goyernments.
10 October 1986
M T Trevan
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