Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

1959 (XVIII)

XVIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

1959. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees¹ and having heard his statement,²

Taking note of the progress achieved in the international protection of refugees and in the search for permanent solutions to refugee problems through voluntary repatriation, integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries,

Noting with satisfaction the efforts made by the High Commissioner, in his various fields of activity, for groups of refugees for whom he lends his good offices,

Recognizing the importance of an adequate assistance programme for the over-all effectiveness of the work of the High Commissioner,

Commending the non-governmental organizations working for refugees for their untiring activity on behalf of refugees throughout the world,

Noting with appreciation that since the seventeenth session of the General Assembly six more States have adhered to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees,³ bringing to forty-two the number of States parties to the Convention;

1. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue to afford international protection to refugees and to pursue his efforts on behalf of the refugees within his mandate and of those to whom he extends his good offices, by giving particular attention to new refugee groups, in conformity with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the directives of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme;

2. Invites States Members of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies to continue to lend their support to the alleviation of refugee problems:

(a) By facilitating the voluntary repatriation, resettlement or local integration of refugees;

(b) By improving the legal status of refugees residing in their territory, particularly in new refugee situations, inter alia, by acceding as appropriate to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and by treating new refugee problems in accordance with the principles and the spirit of the Convention;

(c) By providing the High Commissioner with the necessary financial means for the accomplishment of the tasks incumbent upon him and, in particular, by enabling him to reach the financial targets established with the approval of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme.

1279th plenary meeting,
12 December 1963.

1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Eighteenth Session, Supplement No. 11 (A/5511/Rev.1) and Supplement No. 11 A (A/5511/Rev.1/Add.1)

2 Ibid., Eighteenth Session, Third Committee, 1270th meeting.

3 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189 (1954), No. 2545.