1987 (Executive Committee—38th Session)
(m) Called for the strengthening of the Office's international protection function, both in Headquarters and
in the field, in particular through increased co-ordination between the Division of Refugee Law and Doctrine
and the Regional Bureaux, and through enhanced training for UNHCR staff in discharging the Office's
protection function;
(n) Recognized that international protection is best achieved through an integrated and global approach to
protection, assistance, and durable solutions, and invited the High Commissioner to develop further his efforts in
this regard, including the collection of statistics on refugee populations, with the co-operation of States
concerned;
(o) Reiterated the importance of promoting a wider knowledge and understanding of refugee law and
noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Office in this regard, in particular the training programmes instituted for
UNHCR staff as well as government officials;
(p) Noted with satisfaction that despite difficulties connected with the continued influx of refugees and
asylum-seekers into their territories, States have, by and large, respected the internationally recognized
standards for their treatment;
(q) Welcomed the further accessions by States to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the
Status of Refugees, and requested the High Commissioner to continue his efforts to promote accessions to these
and other relevant instruments, in particular by States confronted with large-scale refugee problems;
(r) Welcomed the recent adoption by a number of States of national administrative and legislative
measures to implement effectively the provisions of the international refugee instruments, including the
establishment of appropriate procedures for the determination of refugee status;
(s) Noted with renewed appreciation the contribution of nongovernmental organizations in actively
supporting the High Commissioner's efforts in the field of international protection;
(t) Emphasized the need for all concerned, including States, intergovernmental, national and nongovernmental organizations, to sensitize public opinion to the special circumstances and needs of refugees and
asylum-seekers to help generate a feeling of empathy and respect for refugees with a view to developing a more
positive attitude towards them.
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