TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 191

A/AC.96/567 pago 4

The report and recommendations of the Arusha Conference were endorsed by the sixteenth Summit. Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity which mot in Monrovia, Liberia, from 17 to 20 July 1979. The High Commissioner considers that the work of the Conference will be an important factor in improving the legal situation of refugees in Africa and will help further to strengthen the principles established for the treatment of refugees at the universal level.

11.

A significant increase in the number of refugees in Central America was marked by a correspondong willingness on the part of Governments to provide asylum and material assistance.

12. The High Commissioner has greatly welcomed the various initiatives taken within the Council of Europe with a view to resolving a number of specific problems arising in the international protection field, notably as regards asylum, procedures for the determination of refugee status, and the transfer of responsibility for the issue of 1951 Convention Travel Documents. The High Commissioner would like to express his appreciation for the close co-operation between the Council of Europe Secretariat and his Office in regard to those various matters.

13. At its twenty-ninth session the Committee recognized the value of efforts to promote a wider dissemination of the principles of refugee law. The High Commissioner considers that such dissemination constitutes an essential supportive activity of traditional efforts in regard to international protection. Activities in regard to the dissemination of refugee law have been carried out by the Office on an increasing scale. A description of these activities and a programme for future action is submitted to the Committee at its present session

Conclusion

14.

The High Commissioner believes that the past few years have witnessed · considerable progress in the field of international protection. The experience of recent months has, however, served to focus attention on the magnitude of the tasks that still lie ahead. These tasks will call for an exceptional effort by UNHCR, and the High Commissioner trusts that he can rely on the full support of the Executive Committee and of the international community for their accomplishment.

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2/ For text of the recommendations see document A/AC.96/INF.158. 3/ See document A/AC.96/INF.159 on dissemination of refugee law.

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