TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 243

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UN'S 243/19 K

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME

Thirty-second session.wr

1.

2.

SECTION IV - "NTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

Distr. RESTRICTED

HCR/EC/XXXT/CRP.5 16 October 1981

Original: ENGLISH

Opening the debate on this item, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the Whole on International rotection introduced the report of the sixth meeting of the Sub-Committee. At this meeting particular attention had been given to the report of the Croup of Experts on Temporary Refuge in situations of large-scale influx. Consideration had also been given to problems related to the rescue of asylum-seekers in distress at sea and family reunification. The question of military attacks by 3outh African forces on refugee camps in southern Africa, had also been examined. The Sub-Committee's conclusions on these various matters had been recommended to the Executive Committee for adoption.

The Director of 'International Protection introduced document A/AC.96/593 in a statement which, upon request, was available to the members of the Committee. In his opening remarks, he drew attention to a number of important developments in the field of international protection. Asylum was now widely granted by States, and the peremptory character of the principle of non-refoulement had been repeatedly reaffirmed. Since the Executive Committee's thirty-first session, eight further States had acceded to international refugee instruments, including two States- Japan and the Philippines in Asia. Further States - as reflected in document A/AC.96/INF.152/Rev.3 had adopted procedures for determining

refugee status under the international refugee instruments and in other States

legislation or administrative rules had been introduced with a view to improving

existing procedures.

3.

:

Increased importance was now being attached to promoting the concepts of international protection, particularly at the regional level. The close

and long-standing co-operation between UNHCR and the Council of Europe and the

Organization of African Unity which had led to remarkable achievements for

the protection of refugees in these two continents called for a special

mention.

One of the most significant of these achievements was the widened

GE.81-03546