Assistance to South African student refugees

A/RES/32/119

32. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

119. Assistance to South African student refugees

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 31/126 of 16 December 1976, in which it requested the Secretary-General to take immediate steps to organize and provide emergency financial and other appropriate forms of assistance for the care, subsistence and education of South African student refugees,

Recalling also Security Council resolution 417 (1977) of 31 October 1977, in which the Council, inter alia, requested all Governments and organizations to contribute generously for assistance to the victims of violence and repression, including educational assistance to South African student refugees,

Noting the appointment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as co-ordinator of assistance within the United Nations system to South African student refugees,

Expressing deep concern that the Government of South Africa continues to take more and more repressive measures against students in that country,

Noting with concern the continuing influx of South African refugees, including in particular students, into neighbouring countries,

Concerned over the pressure on the educational systems of the three host countries - Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland - as a result of the continued influx of children from South Africa seeking freedom from repression and also an opportunity to further their studies,

Having examined the reports of the Secretary-General¹ on the progress achieved in regard to the assistance required by and provided to these refugees in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland,

Recognizing that the needs of South African student refugees are also imposing serious pressures on Zambia,

1. Endorses the measures taken by the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the mobilization of a programme of assistance to South African student refugees in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland;

2. Notes with appreciation the generous contributions of the Governments of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland in providing asylum and making available educational facilities for student refugees;

3. Notes with satisfaction the contributions so far made by Member States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies;

4. Expresses concern, however, that the total assistance received to date falls short of the needs;

5. Urges all Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies to contribute generously towards the assistance programmes for these student refugees, both through financial support and by offering the necessary opportunities for their care and subsistence, education and vocational training;

6. Requests all agencies and programmes of the United Nations system, including in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Trust Fund for South Africa and the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa, to assist the High Commissioner in carrying out the humanitarian task entrusted to him;

7. Requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner to strengthen their efforts for the mobilization of emergency financial and other appropriate forms of assistance for these student refugees in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zambia;

8. Further requests the Secretary-General:

(a) To undertake a similar programme of assistance for South African student refugees in Zambia;

(b) To arrange for a review of the matter in time for it to be considered by the Economic and Social Council at its sixty-fifth session;

(c) To report to the General Assembly at its thirty-third session.

105th plenary meeting
16 December 1977

1 A/32/65 and Add.1.