AG/RES. 1273 (XXIV-O/94)

LEGAL SITUATION OF REFUGEES, RETURNEES, AND DISPLACED PERSONS IN THE AMERICAN HEMISPHERE

(Resolution adopted at the ninth plenary session, held on June 10, 1994)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

HAVING SEEN the report on the program of cooperation between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) [AG/RES. 1214 (XXIII-O/93)]; and

CONSIDERING:

That through resolutions AG/RES. 774 (XV-O/85), AG/RES. 838 (XVI-O/86), AG/RES. 891 (XVII-O/87), AG/RES. 951 (XVIII-O/88), AG/RES. 1021 (XIX-O/89), AG/RES. 1039 (XX-O/90), AG/RES. 1040 (XX-O/90), AG/RES. 1103 (XXI-O/91), AG/RES. 1170 (XXII-O/92), and AG/RES. 1214 (XXIII-O/93), the General Assembly expressed its concern for those who, as refugees, returnees, or displaced persons, have received protection and humanitarian assistance throughout the Americas;

That the program of cooperation between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Organization of American States (OAS) is an important endeavor towards the development of refugee rights in the region and the search for solutions to refugee problems;

That the magnitude and complexity of the present problems of refugees and displaced persons and the enormous difficulties involved in confronting refugee protection are still a cause for concern;

That the Special Envoy of the Secretaries General of the Organization of American States and the United Nations in Haiti continues to pursue efforts for the full restoration of democracy and, thus, end the political crisis in this country;

That the deteriorating human rights situation in Haiti and the exodus of Haitians seeking refuge in countries of the region warrant humanitarian concern;

That in recent years some countries have experienced a limited but steady number of persons seeking refuge and asylum who have been admitted in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law; and

That 1994 marks the Tenth Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration of Cartagena de Indias on Refugees, which contains certain principles for international protection of and assistance to refugees and has greatly contributed to promoting lasting solutions,

RESOLVES:

  1. To renew its support for the continued cooperation between the Organization of American States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in matters of mutual concern, recommending that future activities focus on analyzing the causes that give rise to movements of refugeesand displaced persons as well as on identifying innovative solutions to these problems.

  2. To emphasize the importance of international solidarity and cooperation and the need for all member states to cooperate with the UNHCR in search of lasting solutions to refugee problems.

  3. To welcome the ratification by the governments of The Bahamas and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol on the Status of Refugees, thus bringing to 25 the total number of States in the Americas party to these international instruments, and to urge member states that have not yet done so to ratify these instruments.

  4. To reaffirm the support of member states for UNHCR's efforts towards the reunification of refugee families as an integral part of its international protection and assistance functions.

  5. To call on member states and the international community to cooperate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in dealing with the problem of Haitians who leave their country, at great risk to their lives, and to cooperate in processing such migrants for refugee status, to offer temporary protection, or to resettle those who qualify as refugees, in accordance with their domestic policy and pursuant to prevailing international norms

  6. To call upon member states to support and participate actively in the UNHCR initiative to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of the 1984 Declaration of Cartagena de Indias on Refugees, so as to promote and strengthen, in accordance with their domestic law, the principles enshrined in said Declaration, which have been applied successfully in Latin America, notably within the context of the International Conference on Central American Refugees (CIREFCA).

ReturnGeneral Assembly 1994 Resolutions