International Conference on Central American Refugees: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

A/RES/46/107

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 42/1 of 7 October 1987, 42/110 of 7 December 1987, 42/204 of 11 December 1987, 42/231 of 12 May 1988, 43/118 of 8 December 1988, 44/139 of 15 December 1989 and 45/141 of 14 December 1990,

Recalling also that the International Conference on Central American Refugees is related to the initiative of the Central American Presidents expressed in the procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America concluded at the Esquipulas II summit meeting in August 1987, as indicated in the San Salvador communiqué on the Central American refugees, of 9 September 1988,

Recognizing the importance and validity of the Declaration and the Concerted Plan of Action in favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons, adopted at the International Conference on Central American Refugees held at Guatemala City from 29 to 31 May 1989 and the Declaration of the First International Meeting of the Follow-Up Committee of the Conference, especially the framework contained in the Concerted Plan of Action,

Noting with satisfaction the concerted efforts being made by the Central American countries, Belize and Mexico to find lasting solutions to the problems of the refugees, returnees and displaced persons in implementing the aims and objectives of the Concerted Plan of Action as an integral part of efforts to achieve a stable and lasting peace and democratization of the region,

Welcoming the substantial progress in the peace process in El Salvador, whereby efforts are being made to consult with all national sectors, the peace dialogue in Guatemala and the progress being made in Nicaragua in the implementation of its national reconciliation policy and in assistance to the uprooted populations, which continues to encourage movements of voluntary repatriation and settlement of internally displaced persons,

Recognizing the substantial support that, inter alia, the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme, the donor community and national and international non-governmental organizations have given the Conference since its inception,

Convinced that peace, liberty, development and democracy are essential in order to solve the problems of uprooted populations in the region,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, and the relevant sections of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;

2. Welcomes with satisfaction the outcome of the meetings of the Follow-Up Committee of the International Conference on Central American Refugees, held at San José on 2 and 3 April 1991, at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, from 17 to 19 June 1991, at Tegucigalpa on 13 and 14 August 1991 and at Managua on 25 and 26 October 1991;

3. Urges the Central American countries, Belize and Mexico to continue to implement and follow up the programmes benefiting refugees, returnees and displaced persons in accordance with their national development plans;

4. Reaffirms its conviction that the voluntary repatriation of refugees and the return of displaced persons to their countries or communities of origin is one of the most positive signs of the progress of peace in the region;

5. Expresses its conviction that the processes of return to and reintegration in the countries and communities of origin should take place in conditions of dignity and security and with the necessary guarantees to ensure that the affected populations are included in the respective national development plans;

6. Requests the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Development Programme and other organs of the United Nations system to continue their support for and involvement in the planning, implementation, evaluation and follow-up of the programmes generated through the Conference process;

7. Welcomes with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the Development Programme for Displaced Persons, Refugees and Repatriated Persons, and urges the Central American countries to continue their determined support to ensure that the Programme achieves its aims;

8. Appeals to the international community, particularly to the donor community, to continue and to strengthen their support for the Conference and to continue complying with the financing offered so as to be able effectively to achieve the goals and objectives of the Concerted Plan of Action, and to consolidate the progress made thus far in humanitarian assistance to refugees and repatriated and displaced persons of the region;

9. Supports the special attention that the Central American countries, Belize and Mexico are giving to the particular needs of refugee, repatriated and displaced women and children and to the measures being adopted to protect and improve the environment and to preserve ethnic and cultural values;

10. Also supports the decision of the Central American countries, Belize and Mexico to convene the second international meeting of the Follow-Up Committee of the Conference at San Salvador in March 1992, for the purpose of evaluating the progress made thus far in the implementation of the Concerted Plan of Action and to define ways of improving its application;

11. Supports the initiative of the Governments of the countries of Central America, Belize and Mexico to extend the duration of the Conference process as long as may be necessary, in the light of the new needs that have emerged following the changes in the region;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session a report on the implementation of the present resolution.