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

A/RES/44/139

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 and 43/118 of 8 December 1988,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,

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

Welcoming the Declaration and Concerted Plan of Action in favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons adopted by the International Conference on Central American Refugees, held at Guatemala City from 29 to 31 May 1989,

Bearing in mind that a concerted effort in favour of lasting solutions to the problems of refugees, returnees and displaced persons requires the support, co-operation and co-ordination of the affected and interested Governments and of the various international organizations involved, in particular the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme,

Noting the establishment of the machinery for follow-up and co-ordination at the national level in pursuance of the Concerted Plan of Action and the establishment of priority and design of projects within the framework of the strategies defined by each Government,

Noting with interest that meetings for co-ordination, management and execution have begun with the co-operating countries and the non-governmental organizations interested in participating in the programmes and projects to assist the returnees, displaced persons and refugees in Central America,

Aware of the need to deal with the serious problem of the refugees in Central America who have found asylum in a number of Central American countries, including Belize, and Mexico, and wishing to contribute to the search for lasting solutions that would benefit the countries and communities of asylum and origin,

Recognizing the need to incorporate in the plans of assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons measures to restore the ecological balance and the rational utilization of the natural resources in the areas of the countries affected,

Bearing in mind that, as stated in point 8 of the agreement on "Procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America" (Esquipulas II agreement), 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,

Reiterating its determination to continue its efforts and contributions in the context of the peace agreements, and welcoming the agreements adopted at Tela, Honduras, on 7 August 1989, which include aspects of voluntary repatriation and relocation,

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

Once again reiterating the paramount importance of humanitarian and apolitical considerations, both in dealing with and in solving the problems 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 parties,

Recognizing the work carried out by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and by the United Nations Development Programme with the Governments of the affected countries in the preparation and convening of the Conference and in the meetings of the Follow-Up Committee of the International Conference on Central American Refugees,

Aware of the reductions in the budget of the Office of the High Commissioner in the region, which seriously affect the beneficiary populations and the policies for a solution put forward in the context of the Esquipulas II agreement and at the International Conference on Central American Refugees,

Taking into consideration the priority assigned to that section of the emergency programme of the Special Plan of Economic Co-operation for Central America that is intended to promote activities for solving the problem of refugees, displaced persons and returnees,

Recognizing that the search for solutions goes beyond emergency activities and is linked to aspects of the development of the region and assistance for the displaced populations in the countries of origin and asylum that are directly affected by the massive presence of refugees,

Recognizing also that the tripartite commissions, composed of representatives of the countries 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,

Recognizing further that solutions to the problems of refugees, returnees and displaced persons form an integral part of the efforts for peace, democratization and development being made in the region by each Government,

1. Expresses its profound satisfaction with the success of the International Conference on Central American Refugees, as well as with the adoption by acclamation of the Declaration and Concerted Plan of Action in favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons;

2. Welcomes the guidelines, goals and objectives of the Concerted Plan of Action as a promising initial basis for future activities, and therefore reaffirms its commitment to contribute to the achievement of a firm and lasting peace in Central America;

3. Welcomes the establishment of the machinery for follow-up and co-ordination at the national level, in pursuance of the Concerted Plan of Action, and the establishment of priority and design of projects within the framework of the strategies defined by each Government;

4. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to support, in close collaboration with the Governments of the affected countries and the Follow-Up Committee of the International Conference on Central American Refugees, together with the United Nations Development Programme and the organs, specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, the holding of meetings for follow-up to the Concerted Plan of Action, so that they may be held at the earliest possible time;

5. Notes with interest that the Follow-Up Committee will hold its first meeting during the first week of March 1990, and urges the co-operating countries to respond positively to the assistance projects submitted by the Central American countries, including Belize, and Mexico;

6. Urges Member States and 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 continue to provide and to increase their assistance and support to the affected countries in order to implement and follow up the guidelines, goals and objectives of the Concerted Plan of Action;

7. Calls upon the co-operating countries and the relevant agencies of the United Nations system to assist in restoring the ecological balance of the areas in the countries of asylum affected by the massive presence of refugees, in order to provide the populations of those areas with the conditions conducive to development;

8. Appeals to the international community to ensure that the co-operation extended in the solution of the problem of refugees takes into account both the sacrifice borne by the countries of asylum in receiving massive flows of refugees and the effort exerted by the countries of origin to create the conditions that would facilitate the return of their nationals;

9. Also 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;

10. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme for the assistance rendered for the holding of the Conference;

11. Expresses its concern at the reductions in the budget of the Office of the High Commissioner in the region, which seriously affect the beneficiary populations and the policies for a solution formulated at the Conference and by each Government, and urges that the budget previously allocated be restored;

12. Expresses its gratitude to the people and Government of Guatemala for the hospitality extended for the holding of the Conference;

13. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the High Commissioner, to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1990 and to the General Assembly at its forty-fifth session.