TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 220

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HCR/EC/XXXI/CRP.4 13 October 1980

Original:

ENGLISH

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME:

Thirty-first session

DRAFT CONCLUSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

The Executive Committee:

(1):

S

General

(a) loted that while a measure of progress had been achieved in regard to international protection since the Committee's

thirtieth session, there were a number of serious problems which

still remained unresolved;

(b) Noted with appreciation the work of the Sub-Committee of the

Whole on International Protection as representing an important contribution to improving the legal situation of refugees;

(c) Stressed the fundamental importance of the principles established in regard to international protection and the need for these. principles to be scrupulously observed in refugee situations existing in different areas of the world;

}

(d) Stressed further that while there was a need to develop legal

concepts relating to international protection in the light of the special conditions prevailing in different regions, this should not detract from the absolute character of the fundamental principles already established in this field;

(e) Expressed serious concern that there were still cases in which

the fundamental principle of non-refoulement had been disregarded or in which refugees had been exposed to physical danger or

violence;

(f)

Reiterated its condemnation of inhuman military attacks on refugee camps in southern Africa and the need for effective protection and humanitarian assistance to be accorded to the victims of such attacks i