TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 34

UNITED NATIONS

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME

Thirty-first session

G

Distr. GENERAL A/AC.96/579 11 August 1980

Original: ENGLISH

NOTE ON INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION (Submitted by the High. Commissioner)

JA

Introduction.

1.

The principal developments in regard to international protection from 1 April 1979 to 31 March 1980 are contained in the High Commissioner's Report submitted to the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council (E/1980/79). This period witnessed a number of situations involving a large-scale influx of asylum-seekers which gave rise to particularly serious difficulties for the States most directly concerned. These situations may, in the context of international solidarity and co-operation, call for new initiatives and for renewed efforts to ensure that the basic principles of international protection are fully respected. The period since the Executive Committee's thirtieth session has also been marked by. the continued existence of a number of specific problems having a direct, and particularly serious impact on asylum-seekers and refugees. Efforts to find solutions for these problems constitue a major outstanding task in the field of international protection.

2.

The following paragraphs outline the major problem areas in the field of international protection, together with the more positive trends that have occurred since the thirtieth session of the Executive Committee.

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Developments and outstanding problems in regard to asylum

3. At the Executive Committee's thirtieth session, the High Commissioner drew attention to the serious problems existing in one area as a result of refusal of even temporary asylum to asylum-seekers arriving in boats, and to the forcible return of such asylum-seekers to the high seas. Following special efforts by the inter- national community to relieve the burden on first asylum countries in that area, the States concerned have shown an increased willingness to grant temporary admission to asylum-seekers arriving in boats. Nevertheless, several further reported cases of asylum-seekers being forced to return to the high seas by the authorities of one country, resulting in severe hardship and in some instances death for the persons involved have been brought to the attention of the High Commissioner and have been the cause of the utmost concern.

GE.80-2357