56. One representative stated that the Convention and the Protocol were universal instruments which laid down principles for the international community as a whole. He considered that some of the standards defined in the Convention and in the Protocol might already have acquired n independent normative character.
57. The need for the adoption of appropriate measures for implementing the Convention and the Protocol on the national plane was also recognized. Several representatives informed the Committee of the various measures adopted or envisaged in order to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention and the Protocol in their respective countries.
58. One representative considered that UNHCR had an important role to play in advising Governments as to measures for implementing the provisions of the 1951 Convention and, the 1967 Protocol. In addition, UNHCR could assist in developing refugee law by close co-operation with Governments in formulating rules, practices and procedures for the benefit of refugees.
59. One representative pointed out that relatively few States had acceded to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. He considered that further accessions to this Convention would be of benefit to stateless refugees.
60.
One representative informed the Committee that the authorities of his country had issued some 20,000 1951 Convention Travel Documents with return clauses in order to facilitate the movement of refugees abroad. Another representative stressed the importance of the availability of 1951 Convention Travel Documents with a return clause in arranging educational training for refugee students.
61.
It was recognized that voluntary repatriation was the most desirable solution for refugee problems and reference was made to various large-scale repatriation operations which had been initiated or successfully completed in recent months. One observer referred to the humanitarian action taken by his country to facilitate the reunification of separated refugee families.
62.
One representative considered that problems of international protection should be viewed in the particular context in which they arose and that it was necessary to reconcile the idealistic and practical aspects of international protection. He also considered that protection could best be guaranteed if more regard were had to the causes of refugee problems. The se views were shared by another representative and one observer who expressed the hope that the Executive Committee would take special, political and security factors into account when applying the principles of international protection. In this connexion he mentioned the importance to countries of first refuge of not being left with any residual problems as pointed out by the High Commissioner in his closing statement to the Consultative Meeting with Interested Governments on Refugees and Displaced Persons in South-East Asia (document HCR/CSEA/5).
63. Two representatives and one observer referred to recent inhuman attacks on refugee camps in southern Africa as a result of which numerous refugees, including women and children, had been seriously injured or had lost their lives.
There was unanimous agreement that these attacks should be the subject of serious condemnation and that the necessary steps should be taken to protect refugees from such attacks and to assist the victims.
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