TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 82

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existing measures. There was a need for a new Group as well ie. temporary asylum but not full refugee status. Such people would be returned to their countries of origin or the region of origin whenever conditions allowed. There was, to this end, a bill before the Belgian Parliament now. Belgium hoped that this bill would be in operation before the end of next year.

22. Belgium agreed with the conclusions of the Sub- Committee: there must be a humanitarian resolution of the military attacks on refugee camps problem and Belgium could agree to the Working Group's conclusions/ report on detention if consensus were reached. Belgian law applicable to asylum seekers does not allow criminal sanctions to be taken against asylum seekers purely because of their illegal entry into Belgium, until their application had been rejected. Belgium wholeheartedly supported the solemn appeal for more ratifications to the international refugee instruments.

Afternoon Session

23. Algeria commented on the need to maintain the present level of implementation of international agreements. They stressed the need for an agreement soon on principles to prohibit armed attacks on refugee camps. They also stressed the need to approach international protection matters in a balanced manner document 680 did not appear to do this. There was a need for improved

documentation next year.

24. Brazil agreed that refugee problems had become more complex. They praised the initiative on the declarations on accession to international instruments but stated that commitments to burden-sharing and solidarity was more important. Brazil shared the concern on detention of asylum seekers and said that consideration should be given to further legal protection for refugees. Finally they said that further measures must be taken to strengthen UNHCR's efforts to prohibit military attacks on refugee camps.

25.

Japan supported the solemn appeal for further ratification of the international refugee instruments. Japan strongly condemned attacks on refugee camps and hoped that consensus on this issue could be reached soon. Camps should have a purely civilian character. Japan fully supported the draft conclusion calling for continued discussion of the subject. They also noted with satisfaction that since RASRO the number of boat people had declined. They also supported the Anti-Piracy Programme.

26. Italy stated that protection had too meanings, physical and legal. Italy supported the solemn declaration

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