Recommendations of the OAU/UNHCR Commemorative Symposium on Refugees and Forced Population Displacements in Africa

No. 76 (XLV) - 1994

The Executive Committee,

Recalling its Conclusion on International Protection of 1993, in which it, inter alia, looked forward to events commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption by the Organization of African Unity of the OAU Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa and encouraged UNHCR to participate actively in its commemoration (A/AC.96/821, para. 19 (o)),

(a) Takes note with satisfaction of the activities which have been carried out in commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption, and the twentieth year of the entry into force, of the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa;

(b) Congratulates the High Commissioner and the Organization of African Unity upon having successfully organized jointly the OAU/UNHCR Symposium on Refugees and Forced Population Displacements in Africa, which was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 8 to 10 September 1994, as one of the commemorative activities;

(c) Welcomes the recommendations adopted by the above-mentioned Symposium as an important contribution to the framework for tackling the problems and challenges of forced population displacements in Africa in general; providing asylum, protection and assistance to refugees and other victims of forced displacements; as well as for finding the necessary solutions for these problems;

(d) Commends the recommendations to the relevant States, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for consideration and implementation as necessary;

(e) Requests the High Commissioner, in close collaboration with the relevant States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, most particularly the Organization of African Unity, to disseminate the recommendations widely, promote as necessary their implementation, and keep the Executive Committee informed of progress in this regard.