A/RES/54/147
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Welcoming decision CM/Dec.459 (LXX) on the situation of refugees, returnees and displaced persons
in Africa adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its seventieth ordinary
session, held at Algiers from 8 to 10 July 1999,5
Commending the First Ministerial Conference on Human Rights in Africa of the Organization of African
Unity, held at Grand-Baie, Mauritius, from 12 to 16 April 1999, and welcoming the attention paid to issues
relevant to refugees and displaced persons in the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the Conference,
Recognizing the contributions made by African States to the development of regional standards for the
protection of refugees and returnees, and noting with appreciation that countries of asylum are hosting
refugees in a humanitarian spirit and in a spirit of African solidarity and brotherhood,
Recognizing also the need for States to address resolutely the root causes of forced displacement and
to create conditions that facilitate durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons, and stressing in this
regard the need for States to foster peace, stability and prosperity throughout the African continent,
Convinced of the need to strengthen the capacity of States to provide assistance and protection for
refugees, returnees and displaced persons and of the need for the international community, within the context
of burden-sharing, to increase its material, financial and technical assistance to the countries affected by
refugees, returnees and displaced persons,
Acknowledging with appreciation that some assistance is already rendered by the international
community to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and host countries in Africa,
Noting with great concern that, despite all the efforts deployed so far by the United Nations, the
Organization of African Unity and others, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa,
especially in the West African and Great Lakes regions and in the Horn of Africa, remains precarious,
Stressing that the provision of relief and assistance to African refugees by the international community
should be on an equitable, non-discriminatory basis,
Considering that, among refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, women and children are
the majority of the population affected by conflict and bear the brunt of atrocities and other consequences
of conflict,
1. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General6 and of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees;7
2. Notes with concern that the declining socio-economic situation, compounded by political
instability, internal strife, human rights violations and natural disasters, has led to increased numbers of
refugees and displaced persons in some countries of Africa, and remains particularly concerned about the
5
6
7
See A/54/424, annex I.
A/54/414.
Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/54/12 ).
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