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

A/RES/45/141

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 and 44/139 of 15 December 1989,

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

Noting the establishment of the national and international follow-up mechanisms contemplated in the Concerted Plan of Action,

Taking into account that the Conference has become an integral part of the Special Plan of Economic Co-operation for Central America, as referred to in General Assembly resolution 42/231, thus responding to the needs of refugees, returnees and displaced persons,

Recalling the important declarations of support for the Conference process and its objectives contained in the communiqués issued by the Central American Presidents following the summit meetings at Tela, Honduras, on 7 August 1989, Montelimar, Nicaragua, on 3 April 1990, and Antigua, Guatemala, on 17 June 1990; in General Assembly resolution 44/139 and in resolution 1021 (XIX-0/89) of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States; in the conclusion adopted by the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the Guatemala Declaration and the Concerted Plan of Action; and, lastly, in the communiqué of the meeting between the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the countries of the European Community and of Central America, held at Dublin on 9 and 10 April 1990,

Noting the generous support provided by the countries participating in the First International Meeting of the Follow-Up Committee of the International Conference for the proposals presented at the Meeting by the Central American countries, Belize and Mexico,

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

Recognizing the valuable co-operation of the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme with the affected countries through the Joint Support Unit of the Conference to ensure the follow-up of the Concerted Plan of Action and the proper implementation of the objectives and proposals contained therein,

Noting with satisfaction the progress made in the region through dialogue and national reconciliation, which contribute to the consolidation of peace and the strengthening of democratic processes,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees relating to the International Conference on Central American Refugees;

2. Welcomes with satisfaction the meetings held by the Follow-Up Committee established by the Conference as the mechanism provided in the Concerted Plan of Action in favour of Central American Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons, and encourages further meetings with a view to the effective follow-up of activities related to the implementation of plans and projects in favour of displaced persons of the Central American region;

3. Recognizes the efforts made by the affected countries to establish conditions conducive to resolving the problem of uprooted populations in the region;

4. Urges the affected countries, according to their capacities, to strengthen their efforts to deal with the problem of refugees, returnees and displaced persons and to adapt the solutions to national and regional development plans and programmes and to action aimed, specifically, at eradicating extreme poverty;

5. Agrees on the need for projects in favour of refugees, returnees and displaced persons to promote, inter alia:

(a) The participation of women;

(b) The physical and intellectual development of children;

(c) The preservation of ethnic and cultural values;

(d) The protection of the environment;

6. 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;

7. Expresses its conviction that the process 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;

8. Reaffirms the validity of the Concerted Plan of Action as a framework for solving the problems posed in the affected countries by the massive presence of uprooted populations of the Central American region, while recognizing that it constitutes only an initial response to the many problems to which uprootedness gives rise;

9. Expresses its appreciation for the resources committed to finance the proposals submitted by the Governments of Central America, Belize and Mexico at the First International Meeting of the Follow-Up Committee, and welcomes with satisfaction the willingness expressed by the Follow-Up Committee to give favourable consideration to future projects submitted by the affected countries within the Conference framework and to explore all possible sources for funding them;

10. Stresses in particular the need to support the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme in the discharge of the special function assigned to them by the Secretary-General within the framework of the International Support and Verification Commission in order to provide them with the resources required for assistance for and voluntary repatriation and reintegration of members of the Nicaraguan resistance and their families, as well as of the Nicaraguan refugees being repatriated voluntarily;

11. Urges Member States and organs, specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, as well as regional and subregional organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations involved in humanitarian tasks in favour of the Central American refugees, returnees and displaced persons, to continue and increase their assistance to and support for the responsible authorities of the affected countries in the implementation and follow-up of the guidelines, goals and objectives of the Concerted Plan of Action, and expresses its gratitude to all the national and international organizations engaged in assistance to the uprooted populations and in the development of the region;

12. Requests the Secretary-General, the Office of the High Commissioner and the United Nations Development Programme to continue their support for the affected countries in the implementation of the Concerted Plan of Action, especially through the activities of the Joint Support Unit of the Conference;

13. Urges the responsible authorities to continue and strengthen measures to ensure the efficient implementation of the proposed programmes;

14. Stresses the importance of strengthening and developing the follow-up and promotion mechanisms established under the Concerted Plan of Action, in particular the support groups, in order to ensure co-ordination and co-operation between all the parties involved, and calls upon the Governments of the region to take the necessary measures to facilitate this process;

15. Recognizes the importance of the role played by non-governmental organizations, as well as by the affected populations, in identifying their needs and participating in the planning and execution of projects in co-ordination with national committees and in accordance with the Concerted Plan of Action, and urges them to continue in this humanitarian and non-political endeavour;

16. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration with the High Commissioner, to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution.