A/HRC/RES/23/8
who receive inadequate protection and assistance, and conscious of the serious challenges
that this is creating for the international community,
1.
Commends the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally
displaced persons for the activities undertaken to date, the catalytic role that he has played
in raising the level of awareness of the plight of internally displaced persons, and his
ongoing efforts to address their development and other specific needs, including through
the mainstreaming of the human rights of internally displaced persons into all relevant parts
of the United Nations system;
2.
Welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of
internally displaced persons submitted to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-third
session; 1
3.
Expresses its appreciation to those Governments and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations that have provided protection and assistance to internally
displaced persons, including through the facilitation of durable solutions and the inclusion
of internally displaced persons within their national development plans, and have supported
the work of the Special Rapporteur;
4.
Expresses concern at the persistent problems of the large number of
internally displaced persons worldwide, in particular the risk of extreme poverty and
socioeconomic exclusion, their limited access to humanitarian assistance and long-term
development efforts and assistance, vulnerability to violations of international law, in
particular human rights law, and difficulties resulting from their specific situation, such as
lack of food, shelter, health services and education, and issues pertinent during their
reintegration, including, in appropriate cases, the need for the restitution of or compensation
for property;
5.
Also expresses concern at the problem of protracted internal displacement,
and recognizes the need to find durable solutions and for the integration of the rights and
needs of internally displaced persons into both rural and urban development strategies, and
for their participation in the design and implementation of these strategies;
6.
Expresses particular concern at the grave problems faced by many internally
displaced women and children, including violence and abuse, sexual and labour
exploitation, trafficking in persons, forced recruitment and abduction, and notes the need to
continue to pay more systematic and in-depth attention to their special assistance,
protection and development needs, as well as those of other groups with special needs, such
as older persons, persons with disabilities and severely traumatized individuals affected by
internal displacement, taking into account the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly
and the Human Rights Council;
7.
Strongly condemns the continued perpetration of sexual and gender-based
violence against internally displaced persons of all ages, with women and girls
disproportionately victimized, and urges authorities and the international community to
work together for effective prevention, security, protection of human rights, access to
justice and victim assistance, as well as in addressing the causes of violence against women
and girls and in fighting impunity across the board;
8.
Calls upon States to provide, as set forth in the Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement and with the support of international and national stakeholders, for national
laws and policies that comprehensively protect the human rights of internally displaced
1
2
A/HRC/23/44.