Implementation of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees

No. 57 (XL) - 1989

The Executive Committee,

Bearing in mind that the fortieth anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees will be celebrated in 1991;

Reiterating the fundamental importance of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees for the protection of refugees and the enhancement of their status in countries of asylum;

Taking into account Conclusions 42 and 43 (XXXVII) adopted by the Executive Committee at its Thirty-seventh Session, which inter alia stressed the utmost importance of effective application of the Convention and Protocol;

Underlining again the need for the full and effective implementation of these instruments by Contracting States;

Bearing in mind that, pursuant to Article 35 of the 1951 Convention, States Parties are required to facilitate UNHCR's supervisory duty in relation to the Convention, including through the provision of information and statistical data concerning implementation;

a) Stressed the need for a positive and humanitarian approach to continue to be taken by States to implementation of the provisions of the Convention and Protocol in a manner fully compatible with the object and purposes of these instruments;

b) Reiterated its request to States to consider adopting appropriate legislative and/or administrative measures for the effective implementation of these international refugee instruments;

c) Invited States also to consider taking whatever steps are necessary to identify and remove possible legal or administrative obstacles to full implementation;

d) Requested the High Commissioner to prepare a more detailed report on implementation of the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol for consideration by this Sub-Committee in connection with activities to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Convention and called on States Parties to facilitate this task, including through the timely provision to the High Commissioner, when requested, of detailed information on implementation of the convention and/or Protocol in their respective countries.