1999 (Executive Committee—50th Session) DECISIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF REFUGEES 1 No. 87 (L) - GENERAL (1999) The Executive Committee, The protection situation (a) Strongly deplores the serious breaches of internationally recognized rights of refugees, asylum-seekers and other persons of concern over the past year, and remains particularly preoccupied that systematic violations of human rights, blatant disregard of international humanitarian law, and policies of wholesale expulsions of populations and "ethnic cleansing" have caused significant displacement both internally and across borders in many regions of the world; (b) Reaffirms relevant Conclusions, notably Conclusion No. 81 (XLVIII), paragraph (j), in which the heavy burden carried in particular by developing countries is recognized; and notes with appreciation that a large number of developing countries, countries in transition and other countries with limited resources, which, due to their location, host large numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers, continue to grant asylum and protection to refugees in accordance with international law and established principles and standards; (c) Reaffirms its Conclusion No. 85 (XLIX), para (o), committing itself to uphold the principle of international solidarity and burden-sharing; expresses strong appreciation for instances where those principles were put into concrete action during the past year; and further encourages States and UNHCR to continue their efforts to give wider effect to these important principles; (d) Recognizes that the presence of massive refugee populations in urban and rural areas in developing countries puts considerable strain on the economy and environment of these countries, and that increased attention should be paid to alleviate this negative impact; and calls on UNHCR to play its catalytic role to mobilize assistance from the international community to address environmental degradation in refugee-hosting areas as well as the economic and social impact of large-scale refugee populations; (e) Welcomes the accession of Georgia and Kazakhstan to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, bringing to 138 the number of States parties to one or both of these instruments; and encourages UNHCR and States to strengthen their efforts to promote broader accession to these instruments and full implementation of them; The refugee protection framework (f) Reaffirms that the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol remain the foundation of the international refugee regime; recognizes, however, that there may be a need to develop complementary forms of protection, and in this context, encourages UNHCR to engage in consultations with States and relevant actors to examine all aspects of this issue; (g) Reaffirms Conclusion No. 85 (XLIX) para. (d), and calls on all interested parties to turn concentrated attention towards revitalizing old partnerships and building new ones in support of the international refugee protection system, in a spirit of international solidarity and burden-sharing; (h) Notes that the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions on the law of armed conflict is being commemorated this year; calls on States and other parties to armed conflicts scrupulously to observe international humanitarian law; and also calls on UNHCR to strengthen further its collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies; (i) Notes that the 30th anniversary of the OAU Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa is also being commemorated this year; acknowledges the contribution made by this Convention to the development of regional standards for the protection of refugees; and encourages UNHCR to 1 Contained in United Nations General Assembly Document No. 12A (A/54/12/Add.1) 132