CM/Res.1588 (LXII)
Page 1
RESOLUTION ON REFUGEES, RETURNEES AND
DISPLACED PERSONS IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Sixty-Second Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 21 to 23 June, 1995,
Having considered the report of the OAU Commission of Twenty on Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in Africa,
Having also considered the recommendation adopted by the Seminar on Refugees and the Coerced Displacement of Populations in Africa, jointly organized by the OAU and the UNCHR in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 8 to 10 September, 1994, pursuant to Resolution CM/Res.1562 (LXI),
Recalling all previous declarations and resolutions especially Declaration AHG/Decl.1
(XXVI) and Resolutions CM/Res.1443 (LVII) and CM/Res.1448 (LVIII),
Noting with concern that the situation of refugees and displaced persons has continued to worsen and has assumed alarming proportions despite the efforts deployed individually and collectively by Member States,
Deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the situation of refugees in Africa and the consequent adverse impact on countries of asylum, particularly with regard to security, environment and infrastructure,
Conscious of the tragedy suffered by refugees and displaced persons, especially women, children, the elderly and the disabled,
Emphasizing the importance of the teaching and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law as a means of guaranteeing increased protection for refugees and displaced persons,
Noting with satisfaction as far as voluntary repatriation of refugees is concerned, the encouraging and positive developments in several regions of Africa as well as the role played in this regard by the UNHCR and the countries concerned:
TAKES NOTE of the Report of the OAU Commission of Twenty on Refugees and
its relevant recommendations;
CALLS ON Member States to resolutely address the root causes of the problem of refugees and displaced persons as identified in resolution CM/Res.1448 (LVIII);
URGES countries of origin to promote through appropriate measures at national level, the return of refugees who so desire, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the OAU Convention of 1969;
REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT to the international instruments regarding human and people’s rights as well as the OAU Convention of 1969 and the international community to increase its assistance to the populations:
REQUESTS the OAU Commission of Twenty on Refugees to redouble its efforts towards the mobilization of increased resources for refugees and displaced persons and develop a strategy with a view to adequately address the plight to African Refugees and come up with durable solutions;
CALLS ON the International Community particularly donor countries and the UNHCFR to increase and redouble their efforts in assisting refugees and alleviating their plight in the light of the increasing burden on countries of asylum;
APPEALS to the International Community and particularly the UNHCR to lend increased support to the countries involved in the programme of voluntary repatriation of refugees and to establish a link between emergency operations and those connected with rehabilitation and development;
FURTHER REQUESTS the Member States to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the OAU/UNHCR Joint Seminar on Refugees and the Coerced Displacement of Populations in Africa held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 8 to 10 September, 1994;
URGES Member States to uphold principles of good governance and promote the teaching and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law;
ENCOURAGES African Non-Governmental Organizations to get involved more actively in humanitarian assistance operations and to coordinate their efforts with those of the OAU;
EXPRESSES SINCERE GRATITUDE to countries of asylum for their hospitality and generosity to refugees and THANKS the international community especially the
UNHCR and the ICRC for their activities in Africa towards refugees and displaced persons.