Decision on the Situation on Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons

DECISION ON THE SITUATION OF REFUGEES.

RETURNEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS

Doc. EX.CL/148 (VII

The Executive Council:

1. EXPRESSES CONCERN over the problems of refugees and displaced persons that have persisted in the Continent as well as the grave continued violations of human rights in conflict situations;

2. COMMENDS Member States that continue to host refugees and make available to them all the facilities and services in the spirit of African solidarity and hospitality and CALLS ON all Member States to mobilize resources in order to alleviate the burden on recipient Member States;

3. FURTHER COMMENDS Member States which have abided by the peace initiative and agreements that have created conducive conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons to their communities and APPEALS to Member States concerned to promote voluntary return of their nationals;

4. CALLS UPON the International Community to support the on-going repatriation operations and post-conflict reconstruction programmes in various areas;

5. WELCOMES the appointment of a Special Representative on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Situations in Africa and APPEALS to the donor community to extend moral, material and financial support to the Special Representative in the execution of her mandate;

6. URGES Member States as well as Non-State Actors to comply with the International Humanitarian Law;

7. REQUESTS the Commission to continue monitoring the situation of refugees, returnees and displaced persons in close collaboration with the AU Commission on Refugees; revitalize, as a matter of urgency, the Coordinating Committee on Assistance and Protection to Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons; and continue to implement the Comprehensive Implementation Plan in close collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);

8. FURTHER REQUESTS the Commission to convene a Ministerial Conference on refugees, returnees and displaced persons in 2006, in collaboration with the AU Commission on Refugees, UNHCR and other relevant partners;

9. URGES the Commission to launch a resource mobilization programme in close collaboration with all relevant partners for the purpose of ensuring the adequate well-being and protection for refugees and displaced persons and durable solution to the problem in Africa.