CODE 18-77
AWO Lid
7.84
- 8.
Reference...
31.
Israel reiterated their support for the Sub-Committee's appeal for more ratifications of the relevant international instruments as soon as possible. They agreed that refugee camps should be inviolate and protected from armed attacks but only if they have a civilian nature in entirety. Some camps have had armed elements foist upon them and thus bringing them into the legitimate battlefield.
It was imperative for states to combat terrorism. In this regard Israel never attacked genuine refugee camps and would not confer dignity to the false allegations made against Israel in EXCOM by making a detailed response to each allegation.
32. The Netherlands stated that the abuse of existing asylum procedures necessitated new rules. These should fully adhere to the provisions of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protool and in addition allow for exceptional leave to stay. The Netherlands, for its part, will continue to offer asylum to mandate refugees and would double its resettlement offers. They would consider resettlement from Khao-I-Dang camp in Thailand.
34. The Netherlands agreed that there was a necessity for a text prohibiting military attacks on refugee camps but this text must be balanced, legally correct and consistent with international law. Camps covered by such a prohibition must be civilian in character. Unfortunately no text had been presented in which a starting point had been adequately reflected. The Netherlands supported the idea of a report to the next Executive Committee and hoped that the next EXCOM would end in agreement on this matter. The Chairman should have a free hand in the consultations and preparation of this report.
35. In reference to refugee women and girls, the Netherlands welcomed the APP but stated that measures to protect women and girls were needed elsewhere as well. They called for a further report and statistics on the plight of refugee women and girls.
36.
Canada endorsed the solemn declaration. They hoped that a text on detention could be agreed. Canada regretted the use of detention as a deterrent - refugees should not be submitted to detention outside those cases provided for in the Convention. However they did recognise the change in refugee flows. This required faster determination procedures, and new legislation to allow a quicker but humane and fair determination procedure. This would result in early protection to refugees and would deter economic migrants from abusing the system.
37.
attacks
Canada considered that the text on refugee camps were a violation of human rights and therefore must be denounced.
/Canada
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