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

A/RES/43/118

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 42/1 of 7 October 1987 concerning the peace initiatives undertaken in connection with the agreement on "Procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America", signed by five Central American Presidents at Guatemala City on 7 August 1987 at the Esquipulas II summit meeting, 42/110 of 7 December 1987 on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons of Central America, 42/204 of 11 December 1987 on special economic assistance to Central America and 42/231 of 12 May 1988 on the Special Plan of Economic Co-operation for Central America,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,

Also taking note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Gravely concerned about the present situation in the Central American region, the flows of refugees to neighbouring countries and countries outside the region, and the impact of those flows of refugees on the social and economic development of the area,

Conscious of the need to address the problem of Central American refugees who have found asylum in some Central American countries, including Belize and Mexico, and desirous of contributing to the search for lasting solutions of benefit to the countries and communities of asylum and origin,

Taking into account that, as stated in point 8 of the agreement concluded at the Esquipulas II summit meeting, the Central American countries have undertaken, as a matter of urgency, to address the problem of refugees, including their repatriation and relocation through bilateral and multilateral processes,

Welcoming the establishment of the Preparatory Committee for the International Conference on Central American Refugees, consisting of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, and emphasizing the importance of the success of their work,

Welcoming with satisfaction the San Salvador communiqué on the Central American refugees, signed on 9 September 1988, whereby it was decided to convene an International Conference on Central American Refugees, to be held at Guatemala City in May 1989,

Emphasizing that the general objective of the Conference is to examine the needs of Central American refugees and concrete proposals for practical solutions to their problems, as a contribution to peace in the region,

Reiterating the paramount importance of humanitarian and apolitical considerations, both in dealing with and in solving the problem of refugees, returnees and displaced persons, and the need to ensure that this approach is strictly observed by the countries of origin and of asylum and other interested participants,

Expressing its appreciation for the work done by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in support of the preparation for the Conference, and for its co-operation with the Preparatory Committee,

Recognizing the priority given in the Special Plan of Economic Co-operation for Central America to the section of the emergency programme which is designed to promote activities for solving the problem of refugees, displaced persons and repatriated persons,

Recognizing that the task of seeking solutions goes further than emergency activities and is linked with aspects concerning the development of the region and assistance for the displaced populations in the countries of origin and of asylum that are directly affected by the massive presence of refugees,

Emphasizing that, among the possible solutions, voluntary repatriation is the most appropriate solution for solving the problems created by the massive presence of refugees in the countries and communities of asylum,

Recognizing that the tripartite commissions, composed of representatives of the country of asylum, the country of origin and the Office of the High Commissioner, constitute an ongoing mechanism for solving the problem of refugees and that they require support in order to continue the current voluntary repatriation programmes in conditions of personal and material security,

1. Welcomes the decision adopted by the countries members of the Preparatory Committee for the International Conference on Central American Refugees to convene the Conference at Guatemala City in May 1989;

2. Supports the undertaking made by the countries represented in the Preparatory Committee to continue to deal with the problems relating to the refugees and their voluntary repatriation, as well as with the preparatory work for the Conference and the Conference itself, on a purely humanitarian and apolitical basis;

3. Welcomes the decisions in support of the Conference adopted by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States at its eighteenth session and by the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at its thirty-ninth session;

4. Urges that, in the context of the Conference, consideration should be given to the problems of displaced persons and to the effects of the massive presence of refugees in countries of asylum, as well as to those solutions which the affected countries deem applicable;

5. Exhorts all Member States, organs, specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as the regional and subregional, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in the humanitarian task of helping Central American refugees, to participate in the Conference and to provide all the resources, co-operation and support necessary for preparing and holding it, and for following up the results;

6. Appeals to the international community to increase its assistance to the countries of asylum and of origin of Central American refugees in order to strengthen their capacity to provide the means and services necessary for the solution of the problem of refugees, returnees and displaced persons, in accordance with national development programmes;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to invite all States to participate in the Conference and to adopt the means necessary for ensuring its success;

8. Invites the Secretary-General to establish the necessary co-ordination between the Conference and the implementation of the section of the Special Plan of Economic Co-operation for Central America relating to refugees, displaced persons and repatriated persons;

9. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to organize the Conference, in close co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme and with the organs, specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in co-ordination with the Preparatory Committee, bearing in mind the third point of the San Salvador communiqué on the Central American Refugees;

10. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the High Commissioner, to report to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1989 and to the General Assembly at its forty-fourth session on the implementation of the present resolution.