Addendum to the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Addendum to the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
A/4378/Rev.1/Add.1
United Nations General Assembly Official Records: Fifteenth Session
Addendum to the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Supplement No.11A (A/4378/Rev.1/Add.1)
REPORT ON THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PROGRAMME (Geneva, 6-13 October 1960)1
Section I Introduction
OPENING OF THE SESSION
1. The Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programmer held its fourth session from 6-13 October 1960 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. Mr. J. de Rham (Switzerland), Chairman in office, opened the fourth session and welcomed the members of the Committee.
2. In accordance with rule 10 of the rules of procedure under which officers of the Committee are elected to serve for all sessions during the same year, Mr. J. de Rham (Switzerland), Mr. Souza Gomes (Brazil) and Mr. W. Middelmann (Federal Republic of Germany) continued in office as Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur respectively.
3. The members of the Executive Committee were represented as follows:
| Australia | Israel |
| Austria | Italy |
| Belgium | Netherlands |
| Brazil | Norway |
| Canada | Sweden |
| China | Switzerland |
| Colombia | Tunisia |
| Denmark | Turkey |
| France | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Germany (Federal Republic of ) | United States of America |
| Greece | Venezuela |
| Holy see | Yugoslavia |
| Iran |
The Government of the United Arab Republic was represented by an observer, as was the Sovereign Order of Malta.
4. The International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organization, the Council of Europe, the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration and the League of Arab States were represented by observers.
5. In accordance with a decision taken under rule 38 of the rules of procedure, the Commission of the European Economic Community was represented by an observer.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
6. The Committee adopted the following agenda:
(1) Adoption of agenda
(2) Progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and 1960 and on the former UNREF programme, as of 30 June 1960
(3) Progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees
(4) Financial statements for 1959 and report of the Board of Auditors thereon
(5) Provisional financial statements to 31 August 1960
(6) World Refugee Year
(7) Problem of Chinese refugees on Hong Kong
(8) Status of governmental and private contributions
(9) Report of the Mental Health Adviser on special cases among refugees
(10) Report on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia - Implementation of General Assembly resolutions 1286 (XIII) and 1389 (XIV)
(11) Resettlement
(12) Financing of transport of refugees - item proposed by the Canadian delegation
(13) UNHCR programmes for 1960:
(a) Far Eastern Programme;
(b) Camp clearance and Fund for Special Hardship Cases;
(c) Programme for non-settled refugees outside camps - third part;
(d) Priorities for third part of 1960 programmes
(14) UNHCR programmes for 1961:
(a) Material assistance programme;
(b) Legal assistance programme;
(c) Administrative expenditure;
(d) Priorities for 1961 programme
STATEMENT BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
7. The High Commissioner made a statement in which he reviewed progress made during the past six months and some of the future activities of the future activities of the Office.
8. With regard to the current annual programmes of his Office, the High Commissioner emphasized the increasing geographical spreading of his programmes, both as regards resources and implementation of projects.
9. Largely thanks to World Refugee Year, the necessary funds would be available to permit of the completion of the camp clearance programme. He informed the Committee that the closure of all camps in Austria would now also become possible since the Austrian Government had drawn up a comprehensive plan and was making available substantial funds to solve the problems of refugees and other camp inhabitants in that country who did not qualify for the High Commissioner's camp clearance scheme.2
10. It would now be possible to devote more attention to the remaining caseload of 65,000 non-settled refugees outside camps. A considerable allocation had been earmarked for the handicapped among those refugees within the 1961 current programme.
11. With regard to financial contributions to his current programmes, the $12 million target for 1960 had not yet quite been reached. It had become possible, however, to submit to the Committee additional projects in the amount of $1.5 million for the current year, in addition to the $9.5 million worth of projects that had already been approved.
12. The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of resettlement as a solution to refugee problems and was pleased to report that further resettlement opportunities were being offered to refugees and that several Governments had decided to maintain the liberalized admission criteria which they had instituted on the occasion of World Refugee Year.
13. The joint relief operation of his Office and the league of Red Cross Societies was being carried on for refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia. Marked progress could be reported with regard to the implementation of the programme as a whole. The health of children had been particularly improved. A $7 million budget was submitted to the Committee in respect of continued assistance by his Office and the League throughout 1961.
14. As for assistance to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong, contributions in the amount of nearly $400,000 had been channelled through his Office. Under the terms of resolution 1388 (XIV), his Office has received some $500,000 earmarked for assistance to refugees not coming within the mandate of the United Nations.
15. With regard to legal protection, further progress had been made particularly as a result of World Refugee Year. The Governments of Argentina, Brazil and Portugal had decided to ratify the 1951 Convention, bringing the number of signatories to twenty-eight. In co-operation with his Office, the Council of Europe was encouraging its member Governments to grant to refugee doctors and dentists the right to exercise their profession. Several Governments were granting additional facilities to refugees with regard to travel, right of employment and social security.
16. Finally, the High Commissioner informed the Committee that an agreement had been concluded on 5 October 1960 between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and his Office in respect of compensation to refugees who had been victims of national socialist persecution by reason of their nationality. The agreement provided that such refugees who were suffering permanent injury to health or body should be assimilated, with regard to the scale of compensation to refugees who had been persecuted for racial or political reasons. In addition, the federal Government would place at the disposal of the High Commissioner's Office 45 million deutsche marks for assistance to refugees who belonged to the same group but did not have a legal claim to compensation. In that way, Germany would provide for this group an amount estimated by the federal authorities at 100 million deutsche marks.
17. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman paid a tribute to the High Commissioner for the progress made by his Office. He expressed the Committee's appreciation of the agreement reached between the Office of the High Commissioner and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Section II Progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and 1960 and on the former UNREF programme
18. The Committee considered the progress report (A/AC.96/82) together with a note on progress made in camp clearance during the first half of 1960 (A/AC.96/83).
19. The High Commissioner pointed out that a total of 42,941 refugees had been firmly settled as at 30 June 1960 and that, at 15 September 1960, 4,642 housing units had been occupied while another 230 units had been completed and were being handed over to refugees. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the progress report.
20. In the course of the discussion, the question arose as the whither sufficient progress was being made, particularly in the clearance of camps. The High Commissioner explained that, while steady progress was being made, concrete results during the first half of the year always lagged behind those achieved during the second half, as housing projects were usually completed for occupancy by the beginning of the summer and actually occupied during the second half of the year.
21. The question arose as to whether supporting contributions within the countries of residence of refugees were being maintained at an appropriate rate. Some representatives explained that their countries, which had a refugee problem of their own, had been spending large amounts of money since the end of the Second World War for assistance to large numbers of refugees and that their own expenditure was considerably higher than the amounts contributed from international sources. The rate of supporting contributions to individual programmes could not be taken as a yardstick.
22. The High Commissioner further explained that supporting contributions received under new programmes during the initial period of their implementation would naturally be lower, in view of the fact that the order of priorities resulted in the implementation during that period of many projects of a continuing nature such as counselling for which no supporting contributions were required.
23. The Committee also considered the extent to which assistance should be continued to individual refugees who declined to accept reasonable proposals for their firm settlement. The High Commissioner stated that within reasonable limits all efforts would be made to see appropriate solutions to the problems of individual refugees before withdrawal of assistance was considered.
24. The Committee was informed that under the mental health projects which were being put into effect, refugees might be able to receive the guidance necessary for choosing the appropriate solution to their problems.
25. The representatives of Austria, Greece and Italy gave an account of the problems facing their countries in the field of assistance to refugees and of the contribution their countries had been making to solve the problems of refugees, including those not coming within the competence of UNHCR. They also gave an account of the contribution they had been making to the solution of their problems, details of which may be found in the summary record of the thirty-second meeting. The representative of the Federal Republic of Germany explained some of the technical difficulties which had hampered camp clearance in Germany.
26. In the course of the proceedings, the High Commissioner informed the Committee of the European Seminar on the Social and Economic Aspects of Refugee Integration, which had taken place under the auspices of the Technical Assistance Office of the United Nations, the Swedish Government and UNHCR, from 27 April to 7 May 1960 in Sigtuna, Sweden. The Committee received with appreciation the report on the Seminar3 and paid a tribute to its organizers.
27. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the progress report on UNHCR programmes for 1959 and 1960 and on the former UNREF programme, and of the note on the progress made in camp clearance during the second half of 1960.
Section III Other UNHCR programmes
PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PROGRAMME FOR NEW HUNGARIAN REFUGEES
28. The Committee considered the progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees (A/AC.96/85) which indicated that there were on 30 June 1960 still 9,509 new Hungarian refugees in Austria, 1,300 of whom were living in camps administered by the Federal Government.
29. The High Commissioner informed the Committee that the considerable decrease in the number of new Hungarian refugees in Austria, as compared with the position on 30 June 1959, was due to their integration under the programme and to the fact that some 2,500 had departed for different countries in Europe and overseas under special World Refugee Year resettlement schemes.
30. The total number of refugees firmly established under the programme for new Hungarian refugees amounted to nearly 2,500. A detailed survey of the needs of non-settled new Hungarian refugees in Austria was being carried out and it was expected that the balance of funds would provide permanent solutions for all those not covered by existing projects. Satisfactory progress had been made in the implementation of housing projects which had by 15 September 1960 enabled 882 refugee families to move into new housing. The High Commissioner hoped to be able to submit a final report on this programme in the neat future.
31. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the progress report on the programme for new Hungarian refugees.
REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES FROM ALGERIA IN MOROCCO AND TUNISIA - IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION 1286 (XIII) AND 1389 (XIV)
32. The Committee considered the report of the High Commissioner on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia (A/AC.96/86) together with a budget to continue the relief programme in both counties during the calendar year 1961 (A/AC.96/86/Add.1/Rev.1).
33. The budget had been based for practical purposes on 275,000 rations in both countries. The estimated total annual cost of the relief operation for that number of refugees was calculated at $6,963,000, of which some $2,850,000 would be required in cash in accordance with present estimates.
34. The High Commissioner informed the Committee that considerable progress had been made in developing the programme of assistance to refugees both with regard to the basic food items and the scheme for milk centres. In addition to the supply of milk, children were receiving a daily ration of bread. The basic needs of the refugees were being met. However, two aspects of the problem gave rise to concern: the education and the occupation of the refugees. The latter question was complicated by the fact that there was still much unemployment in the countries of asylum.
35. With regard to the health programme, five mobile clinics and ten static clinics were being put into operation in Tunisia and twenty-five dispensaries in Morocco.
36. The High Commissioner expressed his thanks to Governments, the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and WRY national committees which had made it possible through their combined efforts for the joint relief operation to be carried on and he appealed for further donations to enable the League and his Office to meet the requirements of the 1961 budget.
37. Mr. H. Beer, Secretary-General of the League of Red Cross Societies, drew attention to the resolution adopted by the League on 7 October 1960, the operative paragraph of which reads as follows:
"The Executive Committee of the League of Red Cross Societies resolves ...
"That the Algerian refugee operation by the League of Red Cross Societies end on June 30, 1961 - provided that the Chairman and Secretary-General have the power to extend the operation temporarily if in their judgement no satisfactory alternative arrangement for effective relief to Algerian refugees has been completed by the Governments concerned and the appropriate international bodies.
"Nothing in this resolution prevents National Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Lion and Sun Societies from taking individual action."
Mr. Beer explained that it was inappropriate for the League to continue to concentrate its activities in one particular area. It had to be ready to provide relief in emergencies which might arise in any part of the world. The resolution was intended to advise Governments and international bodies of the need for appropriate measures to be taken to assist refugees from Algeria if the need for such assistance proved likely to continue.
38. In reply to a question by the representative of Canada, the High Commissioner informed the Committee that his office was studying the measures that might have to be taken should it prove necessary to continue assistance to the refugees from Algeria beyond June 1961.
39. The representative of Tunisia expressed his appreciation of the assistance granted to the refugees. According to a recent survey, their number in Tunisia now amounted to 157,300. The representative of Tunisia stated that the situation of refugees from Algeria was somewhat unusual inasmuch as they had left their country of origin because of war and did not wish permanently to settle in the countries which had granted them asylum. The ultimate solution to the problem was their voluntary return to their homeland. He further explained that his Government was doing everything possible to provide education for refugee children in Tunisian schools. Facilities were, however, very inadequate and further assistance through the intermediary of the Office of the High Commissioner was needed.
40. The representative of France agreed that the only solution was the voluntary return of these persons to their country of origin. The French Government had always affirmed its readiness to encourage this type of solution and it was prepared to undertake any steps to that effect.
41. In reply to a question by the representative of the Netherlands, the High Commissioner explained that he had studied the possibility of enlisting the co-operation of the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
42. The representative of the United States informed the Committee that the United States Government would continue to donate surplus food supplies for assistance to refugees from Algeria.
43. The representative of Norway suggested that the need for pilot projects for vocational training be brought to the attention of Governments and WRY national committees. The High Commissioner drew attention to the lack of employment opportunities and to the need to relate the vocational training projects to existing possibilities in close co-operation with the two countries of asylum.
44. The representative of the Federal Republic of Germany stated that it would be essential to obtain full data on the kind of assistance given by individual Governments and organizations which participate in one way or another in the relief programme.
45. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the report on assistance to refugees from Algeria in Morocco and Tunisia (A/AC.96/86) and approved the budget submitted in document A/AC.96/86/Add.l/Rev.l in the amount of $6,963,600.
Section IV World Refugee Year
46. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for World Refugee Year gave a brief, general account of the results achieved by World Refugee Year and informed the Committee that his full report would be submitted by the Secretary-General to the present session of the General Assembly towards the end of October.
47. He could already inform the Committee that satisfactory results had been achieved so far with regard to financial contributions, opportunities for resettlement and improvement in the legal status of refugees. Ninety-seven countries had participated or were participating in World Refugee Year. In many countries, World Refugee Year activities had been continued beyond June/July 1960. As had been announced by the High Commissioner, sufficient funds had been promised, pledged or paid to ensure the completion of his camp clearance scheme. If resettlement opportunities offered on the occasion of World Refugee Year should all materialize, some 4,000 handicapped refugees, making, together with their relatives, a total of 7,000 persons, would be resettled. Through World Refugee Year, the problem of refugees had been made known in the most remote areas of the world and, in accordance with the wish expressed by the Secretary-General, World Refugee Year could now be considered as the starting point for continued and intensified action on behalf of refugees.
48. The representative of Belgium stated that as the problems of refugees of European origin seemed to be in the course of being solved, equal attention should from now on be given to the considerable number of refugees in other parts of the world and particularly in Asia and Africa, where their plight remained a source of concern. The Belgian delegation hoped that, in the course of the present session of the General assembly, the United Nations would clearly indicate its formal wish that the efforts of UNHCR should in the first place be directed towards assistance to these refugees. Some representative supported the suggestion made by the representative of Belgium. Other representatives, while recognizing the needs of refugees in other parts of the world, felt that due consideration should still be given to outstanding refugee problems and in particular to that of the camp population.
49. The Committee agreed that the question be further considered at its fifth session.
50. The Committee heard with interest statements in which representatives summed up the activities carried out in their countries in order to promote World Refugee Year.4 The Committee noted with satisfaction from these statements that World Refugee Year had aroused an increased awareness of the plight of refugees in many areas and that interest was now also being shown in many categories of refugees whose plight had previously not been widely known.
51. The members of the Committee were gratified to find that increased co-operation had developed between Governments, organizations and people throughout the world in carrying out the common effort required to ensure the success of World Refugee Year. They learned with satisfaction that, in many countries, arrangements were being made to maintain the increased efforts to provide assistance for refugees; this was the more necessary since many refugee problems still remained unsolved. In this connexion, the representative of Italy informed the meeting that his country was considering the establishment of a special body - not a governmental agency - which would be responsible for the co-ordination of assistance to refugees of all categories in his country.
52. The Committee also heard a statement by the representative of the World Federation of United Nations Associations outlining the action taken by that organization in order to promote World Refugee Year.
53. From a statement by Mr. Yul Brynner, Special Consultant of the High Commissioner, the Committee noted the activities of the Special Consultant in connexion with World Refugee Year.5
54. The Chairman stated that the success of World Refugee Year could not be measured only by its immediate results but by its lasting effects in that it had contributed to focus the attention of people throughout the world on the problems of refugees. Through World Refugee Year, it had also been possible to bring the status of refugees closer to that of other immigrants and nationals.
55. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman paid a tribute to the Governments, organizations and private individuals who had contributed to the success of World Refugee Year, and expressed the sincere wish that solutions be found to all those problems which had not yet been resolved.
Section V Resettlement and financing of transport of refugees
RESETTLEMENT
56. The Committee considered a note on resettlement within the context of World Refugees Year (A/AC.96/98) prepared by the High Commissioner in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM). In introducing the report, the High Commissioner recalled that, particularly within the framework of World Refugee Year, many countries had liberalized their admission criteria and accepted handicapped refugees. This was leading to a gradual elimination of the concept of "unemigrable" refugees. Experience had now shown that in order to enable refugees to choose freely between the various types of permanent solutions open to them, the choice of resettlement opportunities should not be too limited. The High Commissioner drew special attention to the suggestion contained in paragraph 46 of the report.
57. The Deputy Director of ICEM made a statement (A/AC.96/102) in which he highlighted the complementary nature of the co-operation which had been established between the High Commissioner's Office and his organization. Both integration and resettlement were equally important for the solution of refugee problems and he would urge Governments to give attention to both types of solutions in deciding on their financial contributions. He further drew attention to the important factor that the influx of new refugees in Europe was continuing and that permanent solutions should be found for those refugees if a mew problem was not to be created. Thus in 1961, his organization was planning to move 37,000 refugees from Europe, including 28,000 within the mandate of the mandate of the UNHCR. If the programme submitted in ICEM's budget for 1961 was to be carried out, there would be a shortfall of $1.2 million on the $8 million programme for refugees.
58. The representative of Australia, Canada, Colombia, the United Kingdom and the United States made statements in respect of measures taken in their countries in order to promote the admission of refugees, the details of which may be found in the summary record of the 36th meeting. In those statements reference was made in particular to the liberalization of criteria, to new immigration legislation of practices adopted in respect of refugees on the occasion of World Refugee Year and to the selection missions that were being sent to various countries in order to make arrangements for the immigration of refugees.
59. The representative of France also gave information on the measures taken for the settlement or refugees in his country. He stated that, in response to the appeal made by the High Commissioner at the beginning of the session, his country would admit another hundred handicapped refugees. In the course of the meeting, the representative of Italy expressed his appreciation of the fact that handicapped refugees were now also given the possibility of emigrating to countries of final settlement.
60. From the statement made by the representative of Colombia, the Committee learnt that, under certain schemes put into effect in that country, refugees were being assisted until they had achieved economic and social integration. The representative of Canada recalled that, under schemes for tubercular refugees, transportation was paid and responsibility was accepted by the Canadian authorities for the care and establishment of the families.
61. In the course of his statement, the representative of Australia gave a detailed description of the process of immigration into his country, showing that from the moment of their arrival refugees were being treated in the same manner as Australian nationals and explaining the methods by which the assimilation of refugees and other immigrants was being promoted. The Australian Good Neighbour Movement and the annual Citizenship Convention were some of the main means to encourage close contacts between new immigrants and nationals. The representative of Australia also referred to the substantial financial outlay made by major countries of resettlement such as Australia for refugees after their arrival.
62. The representative of the United States informed the Committee that his Government had recently become a country of first asylum and had received 5,000 refugees from a nearby country. He recalled that 750,000 refugees had been admitted to the United States since the Second World War and that special legislation had been put into effect for the admission of further refugees, including the handicapped. The representative of the United Kingdom explained that, though not a member of ICEM, his Government had given financial support to the work of that organization. Since the war his country had admitted 250,000 refugees. Arrangements for the admission of handicapped refugees were being continued by his Government.
63. The Executive Committee took note with satisfaction of the report and adopted the specific suggestions contained in paragraphs 33, 37, 39, 42 and 44. The Committee also expressed the wish that Governments should give favourable consideration to the recommendations set forth in paragraph 46.
FINANCING OF TRANSPORT OF REFUGEES
64. The Committee considered a document on the financing of transport of refugees (A/AC.96/99) presented by the Canadian delegation. The representative of Canada recalled that the financing of transport had been put on the agenda at his request at a time when it appeared that the Intergovernmental Committee would have to face a shortfall of some $500,000 for the transportation of refugees from Europe. This was why his delegation had asked last spring whether the High Commissioner might not be authorized to assist ICEM in bearing those costs. In the meantime, the necessary funds had been obtained by ICEM for 1960. A shortfall, however, was foreseen in respect of 1961 and the problem might recur in subsequent years. In the opinion of the Canadian delegation, the High Commissioner was not prevented under the terms of his Statute from procuring the funds required for transportation. Article 8 (d) actually could be interpreted in the sense that it authorized the High Commissioner to promote the financing of transportation in certain circumstances.
65. His delegation considered that the Executive Committee might authorize the High Commissioner, in certain circumstances and under certain conditions which might be laid down by the Executive Committee, to allocate for the transportation of refugees funds which were not specifically earmarked for other programmes. His delegation proposed that the High Commissioner should submit a general report at next session showing in as much detail as possible the advantages and disadvantages of the above-mentioned proposal. In that report the High Commissioner might, inter alia, consider the possibility of using for the financing of the transportation of refugees part of the emergency fund established under paragraph 7 of resolution 1166 (XII) of the General Assembly.
66. In the course of the ensuing discussion, the question arose as to whether it would be appropriate for the activities of one particular organization to be financed by another organization of a different character, structure and membership. Most of those representatives who spoke agreed that there could be no objection to a report on the subject being presented to the Committee at its next session. Several representatives, however, questioned the desirability of the proposal that UNHCR funds be used for the payment of transportation costs which should normally be part of the budget of the organization responsible for the actual movement of the refugees. They feared that acceptances of the proposal might entail confusion and possible duplication. One representative stressed the importance of reaping the benefits of the liberalized admission criteria adopted on the occasion of World Refugee Year. The Deputy Director of ICEM said that his organization would continue to co-operate with the High Commissioner stressed that resettlement of refugees was regarded by his Office as a task equally important to its other tasks in respect of the promotion of permanent solutions to the problems of refugees. In his opinion, the proposed study should be confined to the question as to whether it would be desirable for his Office to assume part of the cost of ICEM for the transportation of refugees. The High Commissioner recalled that the whole problem had arisen as a result of the financial difficulties experienced by ICEM, a matter which was not really within the competence of his office.
67. The executive Committee decided to ask the High Commissioner to prepare for submission at its fifth session a comprehensive paper outlining, with supporting data where available, the arguments for and against the proposal that the Office of the High Commissioner should, in certain circumstances, provide funds for the transport of refugees.
Section VI Report of the Mental Health Adviser on special cases among refugees
68. The Committee considered the report by the Mental Health Adviser submitted to it in document A/AC.96/84. The High Commissioner stated that he fully endorsed the report and the suggestions which it contained.
69. In introducing the report, the Mental Health Adviser stated that the improvement of the mental health of refugees was regarded as an integral part of the promotion of permanent solutions. The report there fore dealt both with the so-called "special cases" and with refugee psychology in general.
70. Several delegations expressed their satisfaction with report and their agreement with the suggestions contained in it.
71. The representative of the Netherlands agreed in particular with the fact that the emphasis had been placed on those mental health problems which refugees were encountering by the mere fact that they were refugees. She fully endorsed the suggestion contained in paragraphs 7 to 9 of the report to the effect that too much interference with the refugees, such as visits and various kinds of questioning, had a bad effect on them. She expressed herself in favour of community centres being made available for both refugees and the local population as this would facilitate the assimilation and integration of refugees. Finally, the representative of the Netherlands expressed the opinion that the continuation of mental health work for refugees was most desirable in order to achieve permanent solutions for refugees.
72. The representative of the Federal Republic of Germany also endorsed the suggestions and recommendations contained in the report, and in particular those concerning the establishment of community centres. He fully agreed on the adverse effects of repeated registrations of refugees.
73. The representative of the Holy See suggested that, in addition to the medical and psychological point of view, due importance should also be given to the spiritual aspect of the problem.
74. In the course of the discussion, the question arose as to what extent after-care should be given to refugees when they had been settled. The Committee agreed with the Mental Health Adviser that the best solution would be to give after-care in those cases of real need and to deal with each case on its individual merits.
75. The Executive Committee took note with satisfaction of the report of the Mental Health Adviser, and agreed with the conclusions in paragraphs 40-52 of the report.
Section VII UNHCR current programmes for 1960
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
76. The Committee had before it a document (A/AC.96/101) submitted by the High Commissioner on programme allocations for the third part of the UNHCR programmes for 1960, stating that, within the over-all target of $12 million for 1960, the Executive Committee had already approved projects totalling $9.5 million. The High Commissioner submitted to the Committee additional projects in the amount of $1.5 million broken down as follows:
| $ | |
| Far Eastern programme | 72,000 |
| Programme for non-settled refugees living outside camps | 1,428,000 |
| 1,500,000 |
FAR EASTERN PROGRAMME
77. Under this heading, the Committee first considered a general report (A/AC.96/89) in which the High Commissioner gave a reappraisal of the joint UNHCR/ICEM Far Eastern Operation. In introducing the report, the High Commissioner pointed out that visa assurances were still required for some 2,000 refugees of European origin on the mainland of China. He further emphasized the problem of some 100 refugees whose onward movement from Hong Kong was impeded for lack of resettlement opportunities and for whom visas were also required.
78. The representative of Norway confirmed his Government's willingness to accept a further ten difficult cases from the Far East in response to the appeal made by the High Commissioner. The representative of Switzerland stated that his Government would continue to accept difficult cases from that area at a rate of fifty cases a year.
79. The representative of the United States paid a tribute to the High Commissioner for the report presented to the Committee and emphasized the importance of the Far Eastern programme within the framework of international assistance to refugees.
80. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the general report on the Far Eastern Operation; it took note in particular of the information contained in the calculation appearing in the last part of paragraph 15. The Committee agreed that it was essential to continue the Far Eastern Operation and to provide resettlement opportunities for those refugees on the mainland and in Hong Kong who had not yet received final destination visas.
81. The Committee subsequently considered document A/AC.86/90 in which the High Commissioner submitted an additional project in an amount of $72,000 to be included in the Far Eastern programme within the framework of the third part of the 1960 programmes.
82. The Committee approved the project and, at the request of the High Commissioner, allowed him latitude to modify the details of this project as circumstances might require.
CAMP CLEARANCE PROGRAMME AND FUND FOR SPECIAL HARDSHIP CASES
83. The Committee considered a report by the High Commissioner on the Camp Clearance Programme and the Fund for Special Hardship Cases (A/AC.96/91).
84. In presenting his report, the High Commissioner recalled that the Camp Clearance Programme had been presented to the UNREF Executive Committee early in 1958 as a two-year programme. Its practical objective was to assist in the settlement of refugees within the mandate of his Office who, at the time of the survey carried out by Professor Idenburg in 1957 (A/AC.79/111), were residing in camps in Austria, Germany, Greece and Italy and did not qualify at that time for other programmes. At the second session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, a Fund for Special Hardship Cases had been established in order to extend camp clearance projects to refugees living in camps who had not qualified for the original Camp Clearance Programme and who were unlikely to benefit from any other international programme. The Camp Clearance Programme and Fund for Special Hardship Cases had now been combined under the new term "Camp clearance scheme". In order to adapt this scheme to the needs of the remaining cases, adjustment had been made in allocations by type of project within the over-all target of $6,020,000 which had been previously approved by the Committee.
85. Upon the request of the representatives of Denmark and Sweden, the High Commissioner gave a detailed account of the prospects of completion of camp clearance, the full text of which will be found in document A/AC.96/103. The High Commissioner emphasized that the timely completion of the programme had at first been impeded by certain delays in obtaining funds; these were now available and all the project agreements would be concluded by the end of 1960. The present delay in the implementation of the projects was mainly due to the difficulty in finding suitable building sites, to the shortage of labour and in some cases to the need to finalize negotiations for supporting contributions.
86. By 30 June 1960, 13,620 refugees living in camps and qualifying for the camp clearance schemes were distributed as follows:
| Austria | 3,350 |
| Germany | 9,470 |
| Greece | 60 |
| Italy | 740 |
| 13,620 |
The High Commissioner was confident that during the second half of 1960, these numbers could be reduced respectively to some 2,000 in Austria, 8,000 in Germany, and 500 in Italy, while camp clearance would by then be completed in Greece. He was also confident that the programme could be completed in Austria by the end of 1961 and that the majority would be cleared from camps in Germany by the time. The reason for the delay incurred in Germany was the fact that it had been the country with the largest refugee camp population and that allocations for camp clearance in that country had been very limited until 1959.
87. In reply to a question, the High Commissioner added that most of the refugees within his mandate in camps and not qualifying for the camp clearance scheme were new refugees, most of whom might benefit from resettlement possibilities, or would be covered by the programme for new Hungarian refugees.
88. The Executive Committee expressed its appreciation of the statement made by the High Commissioner. It took note of the report on camp clearance and the Fund for Special Hardship Cases and approved the adjustment sin allocations for the camp clearance scheme shown in the annex to that document.
1960 PROGRAMME FOR NON-SETTLED REFUGEES LIVING OUTSIDE CAMPS - THIRD PART
89. The Committee considered the third part of the 1960 programme for non-settled refugees living outside camps (A/AC.96/92). The High Commissioner recalled that the total target of the 1960 programme for non-settled refugees outside camps had been set by the Committee at $6,120,000. Projects in an amount of $3,930,000 had been approved within the first and second parts of the programme. Projects in the amount of $1,428,000 were now before the Committee. Most of these projects had been drawn up for financial adoption by national World Refugee Year committees and other organizations, at their request. Over $1 million were already available or promised. Further fund would be required to finance the projects proposed for Greece and to provide for the implementation of further projects in the amount of $133,000.
90. During the ensuing discussion, the representative of the United States said that his Government considered that assistance to non-handicapped, non-settled refugees outside camps was the primary responsibility of the Governments of the countries of asylum. The United States Government would be unlikely to make substantial contributions to any broad programme of assistance to this category of refugees after the end of 1961 in countries whose economic position was strong enough to enable them to deal with the problem without international assistance.
91. The representative of France, supported by some other representatives, emphasized the need for international assistance to be continued to non-settled refugees outside camps. In this connexion, the representative of Italy drew attention to the substantial number of refugees in his country who refugees assistance and were not covered by international programmes.
92. The Committee noted from a statement by the High Commissioner that the assistance programmes for non-settled refugees outside camps had only recently been started. They consisted to a large extent of counselling, and the main object was to assist refugees in availing themselves of the opportunities offered to them by their country of residence.
93. In the course of the Committee's proceeding, the representative of the federal Republic of Germany, while stressing the considerable value of the counselling programme, suggested that it would be desirable, in the interests of the programme, for counsellors not to be shifted too often from one location to another.
94. The Executive Committee approved the projects contained in paragraphs 7 to 52, subject to the comments made in the course of the comments made in the course of the discussion.
PRIORITIES FOR THE THIRD PART OF THE UNHCR PROGRAMME FOR 1960
95. The committee considered the priorities submitted to it in document A/AC.96/101, paragraphs 4 and 5. The High commissioner stressed that it would not be possible to start implementing all the projects within the 1960 programme by 31 December 1960, since it was most probable that funds for some of the projects would not become actually available before the last months of the year or thereafter.
96. As the refugees to be settled under the additional project contained in document A/AC.96/90 (Far Eastern programme - third part) had already arrived in Australia, it was suggested that first priority be given to this project, and that projects under the third part of the programme for non-settled refugees living outside camps should be implemented thereafter under the same priority rules as those adopted for the first and second parts of the 1960 programme.
97. The executive Committee approved the order of priority submitted to it as follows:
(1) Far Eastern programme
(2) Programme for non-settled refugees living out-side camps:
(i) Projects to benefit only handicapped refugees;
(ii) Other projects
The Committee agreed that it would be the High Commissioner's responsibility to ensure that no project with a lower priority be implemented until all projects with a higher priority which were ready for implementation had been financed. Projects for which specifically earmarked contributions were received would be implemented without delay.
Section VII UNHCR programmes for 1961
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
98. The High Commissioner recalled that the Executive Committee, at its third session had adopted for its current 1961 programmes a financial target of $6 million broken down as follows:
| $ | |
| Material assistance programme | 5,200,000 |
| Legal assistance expenditure | 120,000 |
| Administrative expenditure | 680,000 |
| 6,000,000 |
MATERIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
99. The Committee considered the material assistance programme submitted by the High Commissioner for 1961 (A/AC.96/93 and Add.1).
100. The High Commissioner pointed out that the 1961 programme for material assistance would be implemented on a country basis and with somewhat different methods from those applied previously. In order to ensure firm settlements of each beneficiary, permanent solutions would be worked out mostly on an individual basis. In order to permit of the flexibility required to take advantage of all opportunities for settlement, most of the projects were submitted in the form of open funds.
101. Priority was again given to the needs of physically handicapped refugees but, in some countries where their needs had been taken care of, the projects would also benefit the socially handicapped. The High Commissioner also stated that a comprehensive programme would be developed during the first months of 1961 for the settlement of refugees in Italy.
102. In the course of the general discussion, the question of supporting contributions was raised and the Committee noted from a statement by the High Commissioner that, in accordance with a previous decision of the Committee, the proportion of those contributions was related to the economic situation of the countries concerned. In certain cases where the document indicated that no supporting contributions had been made available, further efforts would be made by the Office of the High Commissioner in that direction.
103. The representative of Austria indicated the considerable amount which his Government had earmarked for assistance to refugees and which would be spent by local Governments on social benefits to refugees who were placed on the same footing as nationals in that respect. Furthermore, the Austrian Government planned to spend approximately $10 million towards the comprehensive plan which it had drawn up also to provide solutions for all former refugees and other camp inhabitants who did not qualify for the UNHCR camp clearance scheme. This amount, together with some $3 million which it was hoped would be contributed from international sources, would be spent on the construction of over 3,000 lodgings for camp dwellers.
104. In the course of the discussion, detailed replies were given to inquiries into the extent to which refugees could obtain medical and other social benefits in accordance with article 24 of the 1951 Convention (recorded in the summary record of the 40th meeting).
105. With regard to the question of assistance to refugees in Spain, submitted to the Committee in document A/AC.96/93/Add.1, the High Commissioner informed the Committee that a Correspondent had recently been appointed in that country, and that Spanish Government had been approached with a view to its acceding to the 1959 Convention. In reply to a question by the representative of the Netherlands, the High Commissioner informed the Committee that the number of persons to be assisted in that country formed part of the total number of refugees within the mandate of UNHCR in Spain.
106. The Executive Committee took note with appreciation of the material assistance programme proposed by the High Commissioner for 1961. The Committee endorsed the suggestions included in documents A/AC.96/93 and A/AC.96/93/Add.l, and approved the projects included in these two documents.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
107 The Committee considered the legal assistance programme submitted in document A/AC.96/94. The High Commissioner recalled that the country allocations included in the document had been approved by the Committee at its third session except for the proposed increase of $8,000 for Germany which had become necessary in view of the increased caseload and increased cost of legal counsellors. The review of the programme in Latin America had not yet been completed but it seemed likely that a total amount of $30,000 would not be needed.
108. Experience so far had shown that projects under which the High Commissioner could finance legal aid to refugees on a case-to-case basis were particularly useful and this was why a Central Legal Aid Fund of $5,000 to be administered by Headquarters was proposed which would enable the High Commissioner to give legal aid to refugees in areas not covered by special legal assistance projects.
109. The representative of Belgium expressed his satisfaction at the fact that legal assistance was being confined to those cases where free legal aid was not otherwise available. In this connexion, the representative for Canada questioned the need to establish legal assistance programmes in certain countries where free legal aid could normally be obtained.
110. The representative of the Federal Republic of Germany paid tribute to the usefulness of the scheme and pointed out that only a small percentage of the cases involved entailed legal aid before courts.
111. The High Commissioner explained that, in certain countries, free legal aid services were normally only provided in the case of serious criminal offences or before higher courts. Legal aid by Bar Associations and similar organizations was also often not available to refugees.
112. Legal assistance was needed by refugees largely as a result of their refugee status and often enabled refugees to justify their claim to annuities, other social security benefits and indemnification, and thereby to become self-supporting. If a refugee won a court case and obtained repayment of his costs from the losing party, he had to reimburse the cost incurred under the project through which he had obtained assistance.
113. In co-operation with the Co-ordinating Centre for Legal Assistance, the High Commissioner was seeking to ensure that legal aid under the programme was only granted when all other sources of assistance had been fully explored.
114. The representative of the United States said that his Government considered legal protection an essential part of the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner. It recognized also that special problems might arise for individual refugees in certain areas which made legal assistance necessary.
115. The Executive Committee approved the legal assistance programme for 1961 contained in document A/AC.96/94.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE FOR 1961
116. The Committee considered the administrative expenditure estimates for 1961 submitted in document A/AC.96/95. The High Commissioner explained that the administrative budget had been submitted as part of the over-all budget estimates of the United Nations for 1961 in a total amount of $2,117,200. This amount, it was proposed, would be offset by a total grant-in-aid from voluntary funds of $750,000, of which $680,000 came from UNHCR current programmes and $70,000 from the programme for assistance to refugees from Algeria. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions had recommended to the General Assembly a reduction of $67,200 in the estimates, with a corresponding reduction in the grant-in-aid.
117. The representative of the Netherlands questioned the principle of expenditure already approved by the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme being subject to review by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions. The High Commissioner stated that it was undesirable that a budgetary review already carried out by one committee of the United Nations should also be carried out by another.
118. The representative of Australia stated that, with due concern for economy, increased staffing might be required if increased resources should become available. The representative of the United States stated that his Government fully approved of the proposed estimates submitted by the High Commissioner.
119. In connexion with the proposed expenditure for public relations and information activities, the representative of the United Kingdom emphasized the need to avoid an anticlimax after world Refugee Year. With this object in view, UNHCR should be able to carry on appropriate fund-raising and public information activities. He also thought that it would be possible through appropriate public information arrangements to give sponsors of World refugee Year projects a clearer picture of the way in which those projects were being carried out.
120. The Executive Committee took note of the statements made in the course of the discussion and approved a grant-in-aid subject to a maximum of $750,000. The Committee agreed that this figure would be revised downwards if the General Assembly appropriated in respect of the High Commissioner's programmes for 1961 a lower figure than the estimates of $2,117,200.
PRIORITIES FOR THE 1961 PROGRAMME
121. The Committee considered a note on priorities for 1961 submitted to it in document A/AC.96/96.
122. In accordance with the suggestions made by the High Commissioner, the Executive Committee adopted the following decisions:
(1) The Committee authorized the High Commissioner to implement in a first stage projects to a value of $4,000,000.
(2) The Committee approved the following order of priority for the implementation of the above mentioned $4,000,000 part of the 1961 programme:
(a) Continuing projects in all programmes which cannot be interrupted, including administrative expenses;
(b) Additional projects in the Far Eastern programme;
(c) All other projects; priority would be given to projects for handicapped refugees, bearing in mind the relative urgency of each project.
(3) The Committee further agreed that it would be the High Commissioner's responsibility to ensure that no project with a low priority is implemented until the financing of all projects with a higher priority, which are already for implementation, is assured. As in the past, projects for which earmarked contributions are received would be implemented forthwith.
(4) The priorities for the 1961 programme would be reviewed by the Executive Committee at its fifth session in the light of the financial situation of UNHCR programmes at hat time.
Section IX Problem of Chinese refugees in Hong Kong
123. The Committee considered a report by the Government of Hong Kong (A/AC.96/100), presented by the High Commissioner, which gave a summary of recent developments in the situation on Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.
124. In this report, the increase of population due to immigration since 1949 was estimated by the Hong Kong Government to be in the neighbourhood of 1 million. The report showed that it was difficult to define exactly who was to be regarded as a refugee and that the new immigrants were, generally speaking, not distinguishable from the majority of the Hong Kong residents in language, custom or manner of life. According to the report, it would therefore be undesirable and impracticable for the Hong Kong Government to seek to differentiate between refugees and other members of the community.
125. The representative of the United Kingdom stated that the Hong Kong Government had agreed on this occasion to prepare a report to help the High Commissioner to comply with the request made at the third session of the Committee. The report showed that the problem was of formidable dimensions but had been tackled effectively and sympathetically by the Hong Kong Government from its own resources. This had involved expenditure of about one third of the Government's total revenue on Chinese refugees over the past few years. Housing was a particular feature to which large sums and great effort had been devoted.
126. As a result of World Refugee Year, the Hong Kong Government had received large sums from overseas but even these were substantially less than was needed for projects already suggested by the Hong Kong Government as suitable for support by donors. The Government would welcome further gifts to enable it to carry out more of its plans.
127. The representative of China drew attention to the tragic plight of Chinese refugees and expressed his appreciation of the increasing interest shown in their problems. He hoped that everything would continue to be done to put them on the same footing as other refugees.
128. With regard to the situation of Chinese refugees in Hong Kong, he was grateful to the Hong Kong authorities but wished that more could be done for the economic integration of the refugees. He considered that large-scale resettlement, particularly in certain Latin American countries such as Brazil, Colombia or Guatemala, might be a solution. In Hong Kong, the refugees could be helped through small establishment loans. For that purpose, a revolving fund might be established, if possible from contributions made by the international community; as for the implementation of this suggestion, the representative would appreciate it if the High Commissioner would approach the Hong Kong Government and other interested Governments. He also wondered whither facilities might not be given to Chinese refugee intellectuals to carry on their profession.
129. Finally, the representative of China drew attention to the precarious situation of some 300,000 Chinese refugees in other areas of South East Asia and in the Middle East. His Government was particularly concerned about the fate of some of these refugees who had been in jail for many years or who had been deported or threatened with deportation to their country of origin. In this connexion he quoted article 33 of the 1951 Convention.
130. The Governments of the countries where the refugees were located did not have diplomatic relations with his Government and he world urge the Committee to request the High Commissioner to inquire into the position of these refugees, whom his country would be prepared to admit for resettlement.
131. The representative of Belgium expressed his Government's interest in the problem of Chinese refugees. His Government considered that measures should be taken by the United Nations to further the solution of this type of problem, whilst at the same time not neglecting refugees in Europe. His Government was particularly interested in the suggestions for the establishment of a revolving fund.
132. The representative of Brazil stated that many persons had already emigrated from Asia into his country and that proposals such as those made by the representative of China would certainly receive his Government's consideration.
133. Several other representatives expressed their Governments' interest in the problem of Chinese refugees and expressed the wish that further assistance be extended to them. Some representatives also expressed their support for their support for the suggestion made in respect of the establishment of a revolving fund for the issue of loans to Chinese refugees in Hong Kong.
134. The representative of the United Kingdom said that adequate loan funds were already available for farmers and fishermen but the King Kong Government would welcome further funds for various community projects, which it could administer effectively through the Commissioner for Co-operative Development. Concerning resettlement, he said that the great majority had no wish to leave Hong Kong and integration was usually a less costly solution. Referring to the acceptance of professional qualification, the representative of the United Kingdom said this was a complex matter not peculiar to Hong Kong, and involved legislation and the regulations of the professional bodies concerned.
135. The Chairman recalled that funds for assistance to Chinese refugees had already been contributed on the occasion of World Refugee Year and he expressed the hope that their problem would continue to receive the fullest attention. The Executive Committee endorsed the statement made by the Chairman and took note in the report of the Hong Kong authorities and of the statements made in the course of the debate.
Section X Financial questions
STATUS OF GOVERNMENTAL AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS
136. The Committee considered the note on the status of contributions to UNHCR for 1960 (A/AC.96/87/Rev.1) and the addendum to that document showing that contributions pledged, promised or paid to UNHCR during 1960, together with miscellaneous income, totalled $4,809,817 as at 30 September 1960.
137. In introducing the document, the High Commissioner pointed out that a total of thirty-four Governments had contributed to his programme in one way or another. The total amount of private contributions for 1960 exceeded by far that of governmental contributions. However, it could not be expected that this trend would continue in the future. The High Commissioner urged Governments to continue their support of UNHCR programmes at a level which he hoped would not be lower than in the past. The High Commissioner informed the committed that the status of contributions would be bought up to date and that a report on the Stamps Plan would be submitted to it during to it during 1961.
138. The representative of the United Kingdom informed the Committee that, subject to parliamentary approval, the United Kingdom Government would mark a contribution of £100,000 for 1961. The representative of Australia stated that it could be anticipated that his Government would mark a substantial contribution to UNHCR in 1961. The representative of the Holy See announced that, as in past years, a symbolic contribution of $ 2,000 was being made to the 1961 programmes.
139. The Chairman emphasized that, as explained in the note on the status of contributions, the total target of $12 million for the current 1960 UNHCR programmes had not yet been reached, an amount of $ 1,358,463 was still outstanding as at 30 September 1960.
140. The Committee expressed its appreciation of the increased contributions that had been made to the UNHCR programmes on the occasion of World Refugee Year. It agreed that details on the total amounts collected in the various countries during the Year and the proportion of that amount which had been contributed to or channelled through UNHCR should be made available to the Committee at its fifth session. The High Commissioner assured the Committee that his Office was already giving careful attention to the use to be made of the funds collected during World Refugee Year. His Office and the voluntary agencies would co-ordinate their plans and avoid duplication of effort.
141. The Executive Committee took note with interest of the status of governmental and private contribution. It expressed the wish that the financial target of $12 million for the UNHCR current programmes for 1960 should be reached, and that Governments should take the necessary measures to enable the Office of the High Commissioner to reach the $6 million financial target for its 1961 current programmes and also to enable it to meet the financial requirements of its other programmes.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 1959 AND REPORT OF THE BOARD OF AUDITORS THEREON
142. In connexion with the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions tot he General Assembly (A/4413), the High Commissioner informed the Committee that steps were being taken to obtain earlier reporting on projects for the funds provided by the High Commissioner and had already been taken to simplify the accounts submitted to the Committee.
143. The Executive Committee took note of the financial statements for 1959 and report of the Board of Auditors thereon (A/AC.96/97).
PROVISIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO 31 AUGUST 1960
144. The Executive Committee took note of the provisional financial statements to 31 August 1960 (A/AC.96/98).
Statements made on the occasion of the departure of the High Commissioner
145. In the course of the thirty-ninth meeting, members of the Committee made statements in with they expressed their regret at the departure of the High Commissioner and congratulated him on all that he had accomplished. In conclusion, the Chairman and the Committee paid a warm tribute to Dr. August Lindt for the major contribution he had made towards the solution of refugee problems during his term of office since December 1956.
1 Issued previously under the symbol A/AC.96/104
2 For further details, see paragraph 103 of the present report.
3 See document UN/TAO/SEM/ 1960/Rep.1
4 The summaries of these statements are contained in summary records of the 34th meetings; for the statement by the representatives of Colombia and for additional statements by the representatives of Australia and Canada, see summary record of the 36th meeting.
5 See summary record of the 37th meeting.