Reply to the ninth Report on the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Resolution 213 (1961)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 27th September 1961 (17th Sitting) (see Doc. 1259, ninth Report of UNHCR., and Doc. 1303, Report of the Committee on Population and Refugees). Text adopted by the Assembly on 27th September 1961 (17th Sitting).

The Assembly,

Considering the ninth Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Doc. 1259) ;

Noting the results of World Refugee Year, particularly with regard to the clearance of camps ;

Finding that over 850,000 refugees within the mandate of the High Commissioner still live in member countries of the Council of Europe ;

Recognising that, subject to the personal wishes of the refugees concerned, the naturalisation of refugees established in the territory of member States is desirable in order to achieve a permanent solution of their problems ;

Considering that member countries of the Council of Europe can contribute to a large extent to the solution of these problems by extending to refugees the facilities resulting from agreements and conventions drawn up within the framework of European integration,

1. Thanks the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the ninth Report he has submitted on his activities ;

2. Welcomes the results of World Refugee Year ;

3. Notes with appreciation the progress already achieved with regard to the integration of refugees within the framework of European co-operation ;

4. Pledges its full support to the High Commissioner in any approaches he may make to European organisations with a view to securing for refugees within his mandate and regularly residing in the territory of the member countries of these organisations the benefit of the provisions applicable in each of these countries to the nationals of other member countries, particularly with regard to freedom of circulation and access to employment ;

5. Resolves that its members shall approach their Governments and Parliaments in order to secure the inclusion in agreements and conventions drawn up within the framework of European integration of clauses enabling refugees within the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and regularly residing in the territory of a member country which is one of the Contracting Parties to benefit by the facilities afforded to the nationals of other Contracting Parties.