Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

1039 (XI)

XI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

1039. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

A

The General Assembly,

Taking note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees¹ covering the activities of his Office between May 1955 and May 1956,

Taking note in particular of the addendum to his report dealing with the effect of the shortfall in governmental contributions to the United Nations Refugee Fund,²

Bearing in mind that, under the Statute of his Office,³ the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is charged with the duty of seeking solutions for the problems of refugees through voluntary repatriation, resettlement and integration,

Bearing in mind the provisions of section II of General Assembly resolution 1006 (ES-II) of 9 November 1956 and General Assembly resolution 1129 (XI) of 21 November on the problem of Hungarian refugees, the appeals of the Government of Austria for assistance in dealing with this problem, and the response. of Governments to these appeals,

Taking note of the statements of the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees⁴ on the steps so far taken by the Office to deal with the problem of Hungarian refugees and on the impact of this problem on the programme of the United Nations Refugee Fund,

1. Expresses its appreciation of the efforts of the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees to implement the programme for permanent solutions of the existing refugee problem and to deal with the emergency situation created by the problem of Hungarian refugees;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Austria for the part it has played in receiving and assisting the refugees who have entered its territory;

3. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue his efforts to effect solutions in accordance with the Statute of his Office and the programme of the United Nations Refugee Fund, under due safeguards in accordance with his responsibility under the said Statute to provide international protection to refugees within his mandate;

4. Requests the High Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary-General and with the Governments concerned, to develop a comprehensive assessment of the needs, both material and financial, of the Hungarian refugees, to be submitted to the United Nations Refugee Fund Executive Committee for its approval at the earliest possible date;

5. Expresses grave concern at the shortfall in the governmental contributions to the United Nations Refugee Fund established at $16 million;

6. Urges all States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies to give early and serious consideration to making contributions to the United Nations Refugee Fund in order that the target for 1956 and 1957 may be reached and the High Commissioner enabled fully to implement the programme planned under that Fund;

7. Requests the High Commissioner to study with the United Nations Refugee Fund Executive Committee the appropriate means to ensure the full implementation of the programme of the Fund.

643rd plenary meeting,
23 January 1957.

B

The General Assembly,

Noting Economic and Social Council resolution 628 (XXII) of 13 July 1956,

Recalling with gratitude the work accomplished by Dr. G. J. van Heuven Goedhart as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and mindful of his devoted and untiring efforts,

Recording its deep regret at his untimely death,

1. Decides that a plaque to the memory of Dr. G. J. van Heuven Goedhart shall be placed in the Palais des Nations in Geneva;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to make appropriate arrangements for this purpose;

3. Urges Governments actively to support the work on behalf of refugees in the spirit of the United Nations Charter.

643rd plenary meeting,
23 January 1957.

1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Eleventh Session, Supplement No. 11 (A/3123/Rev.1) and Supplement No. 11 A (A/3123/Rev.l/Add.1 and 2).

2 Ibid., Supplement No. 11 A (A/3123/Rev.l/Add.1 and 2), addendum 1.

3 Ibid., Fifth Session, Supplement No 20, resolution 428 (V), annex.

4 Ibid., Eleventh Session, Third Committee, 690th and 692nd meetings.