CM/Res.1627 (LXIII)
RESOLUTION ON REFUGEES, RETURNEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Sixty-Third Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26 to 28 February 1996,
Having considered the -Report of the OAU Commission of Twenty on Refugees, Returnees and Displaced persons in Africa (CM/1915 (LXIII) ),
Recalling earlier declarations and resolutions on the situation of refugees, returnees and displaced per-sons on the Continent,
Considering that, despite efforts exerted by Member States especially in the area of voluntary repatriation, the situation of refugees and displaced persons remains extremely alarming,
Considering the considerable efforts made by the UNHCR and ICRC in aid of refugees, returnees and displaced persons,
Conscious of the need to increase assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons:
Taking note of the successful conclusion of the Regional Conference on Assistance to Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in the Great Lakes Region held in Bujumbura, Burundi from 12 to 17 February, 1995, and the Plan of Action adopted therein;
Having considered the outcome of the 24th Ordinary Session of the OAU Co-ordinating Committee on Assistance to Refugees held in Khartoum, September, 1995:
TAKES NOTE of the Report of the OAU Commission of Twenty on refugees, and the recommendations contained therein;
URGES countries of origin and host countries to promote the voluntary repatriation of refugees who wish to return home, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the 1969 OAU Convention on specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa;
EXPRESSES its deep gratitude to countries of origin which@ have implemented voluntary repatriation programme:
EXHORTS the OAU Commission of Twenty on Refugees to accelerate the adoption of it programme of action and submit it to the Council of Ministers;
REQUESTS Member States to raise, within the limit of their resources, their assistance to refugees and displaced persons and to make a special effort to help refugees wishing to undertake
studies;
ENCOURAGES Non-Governmental Organizations and especially African non- governmental organizations to step up their efforts in collaboration with other interested parties in favour of refugees and displaced persons so as to bring about a considerable increase in African participation in humanitarian operations mounted on the Continent;
APPEALS to the donor community for increased financial support to countries involved in voluntary repatriation programmes;
EXPRESSES its deep gratitude to countries of asylum for the hospitality and generosity extended to refugees and THANKS the UNHCR and ICRC. for their efforts on behalf of refugees and displaced persons; and REQUEST them to redouble their efforts in assistance for refugees in the countries of asylum;
CALLS ON the countries of asylum to strictly respect and adhere-to the principles enshrined in the United Nations and African Conventions on the protection of the rights of refugees;
FURTHER CALLS UPON Member States of the Follow-up Committee on the Implementation of the Plan of Action adopted by the Bujumbura Conference to attend and participate actively in the Second Follow-up Committee meeting of the said Conference to be held on 29th February, 1996 in Addis Ababa.
TAYES NOTE of the recommendations emanating from the 24th Ordinary Session of the Committee on Assistance to Refugees and EXPRESSES APPRECIATION to the Government of the Sudan for hosting and providing assistance to that Session;- -
REQUESTS the Commission of Twenty of the OAU to submit a report to the 64th Ordinary Session of Council.