Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session:
Resolution 55/123 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
156, N: 1, A: 3)
Assistance to Palestine refugees
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 54/69 of 6 December 1999 and all
its previous resolutions on the question, including resolution 194 (III) of 11
December 1948,
Taking note of the report of the Commissioner-General of
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East for the period from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000,
Stressing the importance of the Middle East peace
process,
Welcoming the signature in Washington, D.C., on 13
September 1993, by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine
Liberation Organization, the representative of the people of Palestine, of the
Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements and the
subsequent implementation agreements,
Aware that the Multilateral Working Group on Refugees of
the Middle East peace process has an important role to play in the peace
process,
1. Notes with regret that repatriation or compensation
of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of its resolution 194 (III),
has not yet been effected and that, therefore, the situation of the refugees
continues to be a matter of concern;
- Also notes with regret that the United Nations Conciliation
Commission for Palestine has been unable to find a means of achieving
progress in the implementation of paragraph 11 of General Assembly
resolution 194 (III), and requests the Commission to exert continued
efforts towards the implementation of that paragraph and to report to the
Assembly as appropriate, but no later than 1 September 2001;
- Expresses its thanks to the Commissioner-General and to all the
staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East, recognizing that the Agency is doing all it can within
the limits of available resources, and also expresses its thanks to the
specialized agencies and to private organizations for their valuable work
in assisting refugees;
- Notes the significant success of the Peace Implementation
Programme of the Agency since the signing of the Declaration of Principles
on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, and stresses the importance that
contributions to this Programme are not at the expense of the General
Fund;
- Welcomes the increased cooperation between the Agency and
international and regional organizations, States and relevant agencies and
non-governmental organizations, which is essential to enhancing the
contributions of the Agency towards improved conditions for the refugees
and thereby the social stability of the occupied territory;
- Urges all Member States to extend and expedite aid and assistance
with a view to the economic and social development of the Palestinian
people and the occupied territory;
- Reiterates its deep concern regarding the persisting critical
financial situation of the Agency, as outlined in the report of the
Commissioner-General;
- Commends the efforts of the Commissioner-General to move towards
budgetary transparency and internal efficiency, and welcomes in this
respect the new, unified budget structure for the biennium 2001-2002,
which can contribute significantly towards improved budgetary transparency
of the Agency;
- Welcomes the consultative process between the Agency, host
Governments, the Palestinian Authority and donors on management reforms;
- Notes with profound concern that the continuing shortfall in the
finances of the Agency has a significant negative influence on the living
conditions of the Palestine refugees most in need and that it
therefore has possible consequences for the peace process;
- Calls upon all donors, as a matter of urgency, to make the most
generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency,
including the remaining costs of moving the headquarters to Gaza,
encourages contributing Governments to contribute regularly and to
consider increasing their regular contributions, and urges
non-contributing Governments to contribute.
Â
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/124 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote:
Consensus)
Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 2656 (XXV) of 7 December 1970,
2728 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 2791 (XXVI) of 6 December 1971, 54/70 of 6
December 1999 and the previous resolutions on this question,
Recalling also its decision 36/462 of 16 March 1982, by
which it took note of the special report of the Working Group on the Financing
of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East,
Having considered the report of the Working Group,
Taking into account the report of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 1999 to 30
June 2000,
Deeply concerned about the continuing financial situation
of the Agency, which has affected and affects the continuation of the
provision of necessary Agency services to Palestine refugees, including the
emergency-related programmes,
Emphasizing the continuing need for extraordinary efforts
in order to maintain, at least at the current minimum level, the activities of
the Agency, as well as to enable the Agency to carry out essential
construction,
1. Commends the Working Group on the Financing of the
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
for its efforts to assist in ensuring the financial security of the
Agency;
2. Takes note with approval of the report of the
Working Group;
3. Requests the Working Group to continue its efforts,
in cooperation with the Secretary-General and the Commissioner-General, to
find a solution to the financial situation of the Agency;
4. Welcomes the new, unified budget structure for the
biennium 2001-2002, which can contribute significantly to improved
budgetary transparency of the Agency;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the
necessary services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of its
work.
Â
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/125 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
156, N: 2, A: 2)
Persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 2252 (ES-V) of 4 July 1967,
2341 B (XXII) of 19Â December 1967 and all subsequent related
resolutions,
Recalling also Security Council resolutions 237 (1967) of
14 June 1967 and 259Â (1968) of 27 September 1968,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General
submitted in pursuance of its resolution 54/71 of 6 December 1999,
Taking note also of the report of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 1999 to 30
June 2000,
Concerned about the continuing human suffering resulting
from the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities,
Taking note of the relevant provisions of the Declaration
of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed in Washington,
D.C., on 13 September 1993 by the Government of the State of Israel
and the Palestine Liberation Organization, with regard to the modalities for
the admission of persons displaced in 1967, and concerned that the process
agreed upon has not yet been effected,
1. Reaffirms the right of all persons displaced as a
result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their
homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel
since 1967;
2. Expresses concern that the mechanism agreed
upon by the parties in article XII of the Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements on the return of displaced persons has not been
effected, and expresses the hope for an accelerated return of displaced
persons;
3. Endorses, in the meanwhile, the efforts of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East to continue to provide humanitarian
assistance, as far as practicable, on an emergency basis, and as a temporary
measure, to persons in the area who are currently displaced and in serious
need of continued assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities;
4. Strongly appeals to all Governments and to
organizations and individuals to contribute generously to the Agency and to
the other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned for
the above-mentioned purposes;
5. Requests the Secretary-General, after consulting
with the Commissioner-General, to report to the General Assembly before its
fifty-sixth session on the progress made with regard to the implementation of
the present resolution.
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/126 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
160, N: 0, A: 1)
Â
Offers by Member States of grants and scholarships for
higher education,
including vocational training, for Palestine
refugees
Â
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 212 (III) of 19 November 1948 on
assistance to Palestine refugees,
Recalling also its resolutions 35/13 B of 3 November
1980, 36/146 H of 16 December 1981, 37/120 D of 16 December 1982, 38/83 D of
15 December 1983, 39/99 D of 14 December 1984, 40/165 D of 16 December 1985,
41/69 D of 3 December 1986, 42/69 D of 2 December 1987, 43/57 D of 6 December
1988, 44/47 D of 8 December 1989, 45/73 D of 11 December 1990, 46/46 D of 9
December 1991, 47/69 D of 14 December 1992, 48/40 D of 10 December 1993, 49/35
D of 9 December 1994, 50/28 D of 6 December 1995, 51/127 of 13 December 1996,
52/60 of 10 December 1997, 53/49 of 3 December 1998 and 54/72 of 6 December
1999,
Cognizant of the fact that the Palestine refugees have,
for the last five decades, lost their homes, lands and means of
livelihood,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,
Having also considered the report of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 1999 to 30
June 2000,
1. Urges all States to respond to the appeal in its
resolution 32/90 F of 13 December 1977 and reiterated in subsequent relevant
resolutions in a manner commensurate with the needs of Palestine refugees for
higher education, including vocational training;
2. Strongly appeals to all States, specialized
agencies and non-governmental organizations to augment the special allocations
for grants and scholarships to Palestine refugees, in addition to their
contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;
3. Expresses its appreciation to all Governments,
specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations that responded
favorably to its resolutions on this question;
4. Invites the relevant specialized agencies and other
organizations of the United Nations system to continue, within their
respective spheres of competence, to extend assistance for higher education to
Palestine refugee students;
5. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies and the
United Nations University to contribute generously to the Palestinian
universities in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967,
including, in due course, the proposed University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for
Palestine refugees;
6. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies and
other international bodies to contribute towards the establishment of
vocational training centers for Palestine refugees;
7. Requests the Agency to act as the recipient and
trustee for the special allocations for grants and scholarships and to award
them to qualified Palestine refugee candidates;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session on the implementation of the
present resolution.
Â
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/127 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
157, N: 2, A: 2)
Operations of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Â
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948,
212 (III) of 19 November 1948, 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 and all subsequent
related resolutions,
Recalling also the relevant Security Council
resolutions,
Having considered the report of the Commissioner-General
of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East covering the period from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000,
Taking note of the letter dated 28 September 2000 from
the Chairman of the Advisory Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the
Commissioner-General, contained in the report of the Commissioner-General,
Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General
submitted in pursuance of its resolutions 48/40 E, 48/40 H and 48/40 J of 10
December 1993 and 49/35 C of 9 December 1994,
Recalling Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the
United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the
United Nations,
Affirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August
1949, to the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including
Jerusalem,
Aware of the fact that Palestine refugees have, for over
five decades, lost their homes, lands and means of livelihood,
Also aware of the continuing needs of Palestine refugees
throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in the other fields of
operation, namely, in Lebanon, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic,
Further aware of the valuable work done by the refugee
affairs officers of the Agency in providing protection to the Palestinian
people, in particular Palestine refugees,
Gravely concerned about the increased suffering of the
Palestine refugees, including loss of life and injury, during the recent
tragic events in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
Jerusalem,
Deeply concerned about the continuing critical financial
situation of the Agency and its effect on the continuity of provision of
necessary Agency services to the Palestine refugees, including the
emergency-related programmes,
Aware of the work of the Peace Implementation Programme
of the Agency,
Recalling the signing in Washington, D.C. on 13 September
1993 of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements
by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation
Organization, and the subsequent implementation agreements,
Taking note of the agreement reached on 24 June 1994,
embodied in an exchange of letters between the Agency and the Palestine
Liberation Organization,
Aware of the establishment of a working relationship
between the Advisory Commission of the Agency and the Palestine Liberation
Organization in accordance with General Assembly decision 48/417 of 10
December 1993,
1. Expresses its appreciation to the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East, as well as to all the staff of the
Agency, for their tireless efforts and valuable work;
2. Also expresses its appreciation to the Advisory
Commission of the Agency, and requests it to continue its efforts and to keep
the General Assembly informed of its activities, including the full
implementation of decision 48/417;
3. Takes note of the functioning of the headquarters
of the Agency in Gaza City on the basis of the Headquarters Agreement between
the Agency and the Palestinian Authority;
4. Acknowledges the support of the host Governments
and the Palestine Liberation Organization for the Agency in the discharge of
its duties;
5. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to accept
the de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and to abide
scrupulously by its provisions;
6. Also calls upon Israel to abide by Articles 100,
104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the
Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations with regard to the safety of
the personnel of the Agency and the protection of its institutions and the
safeguarding of the security of the facilities of the Agency in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem;
7. Further calls upon Israel to particularly cease
obstructing the movement of the personnel, vehicles and supplies of the
Agency, which has a detrimental impact on the Agency’s operations;
8. Calls once again upon the Government of Israel to
compensate the Agency for damages to its property and facilities resulting
from actions by the Israeli side;
9. Requests the Commissioner-General to proceed with
the issuance of identification cards for Palestine refugees and their
descendants in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;
10. Notes that the new context created by the signing
of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements by
the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation
Organization and subsequent implementation agreements has had major
consequences for the activities of the Agency, which is henceforth called
upon, in close cooperation with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the
Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General
to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the
Palestinian Authority, the specialized agencies and the World Bank, to
continue to contribute towards the development of economic and social
stability in the occupied territory;
11. Notes also that the functioning of the Agency
remains essential in all fields of operation;
12. Notes further the significant success of the Peace
Implementation Programme of the Agency;
13. Expresses concern about those remaining austerity
measures due to the financial crisis, which have affected the quality and
level of some of the services of the Agency;
14. Reiterates its request to the Commissioner-General
to proceed with the modernization of the archives of the Agency;
15. Urges all States, specialized agencies and
non-governmental organizations to continue and to increase their contributions
to the Agency so as to ease current financial constraints and to support the
Agency in maintaining the provision of the most basic and effective assistance
to the Palestine refugees.
Â
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/128 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
156, N: 2, A: 2)
Palestine refugees’ properties and their
revenues
Â
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 194 (III) of 11 December 1948,
36/146 C of 16 December 1981 and all its subsequent resolutions on the
question,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General in
pursuance of resolution 54/74 of 6 December 1999,
Taking note also of the report of the United Nations
Conciliation Commission for Palestine for the period from 1 September 1999 to
31 August 2000,
Recalling that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the principles of international law uphold the principle that no one shall
be arbitrarily deprived of his or her property,
Recalling in particular its resolution 394 (V) of 14
December 1950, in which it directed the Conciliation Commission, in
consultation with the parties concerned, to prescribe measures for the
protection of the rights, property and interests of the Palestine Arab
refugees,
Noting the completion of the programme of identification
and evaluation of Arab property, as announced by the Conciliation Commission
in its twenty-second progress report, and of the fact that the Land Office had
a schedule of Arab owners and file of documents defining the location, area
and other particulars of Arab property,
Recalling that in the framework of the Middle East peace
process, the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Government of Israel
agreed, in the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements of 13 September 1993, to commence negotiations on permanent
status issues, including the important issue of the refugees,
1. Reaffirms that the Palestine Arab refugees are
entitled to their property and to the income derived therefrom, in conformity
with the principles of justice and equity;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to take all
appropriate steps, in consultation with the United Nations Conciliation
Commission for Palestine, for the protection of Arab property, assets and
property rights in Israel,
3. Expresses its appreciation for the work done to
preserve and modernize the existing records of the Commission;
4. Calls once more upon Israel to render all
facilities and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation of
the present resolution;
5. Calls upon all the parties concerned to provide the
Secretary-General with any pertinent information in their possession
concerning Arab property, assets and property rights in Israel that would
assist him in the implementation of the present resolution;
6. Urges the Palestinian and Israeli sides, as agreed
between them, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees'
properties and their revenues in the framework of the final status
negotiations of the Middle East peace process;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session on the implementation of the
present resolution.
Â
Agenda Item 84 (UNRWA) - 55th Session
Resolution 55/129 (Adopted on 8 December 2000/Vote: Y:
156, N: 2, A: 2)
University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds" for Palestine
refugees
Â
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 36/146 G of 16 December 1981,
37/120 C of 16 December 1982, 38/83 K of 15 December 1983, 39/99 K of 14
December 1984, 40/165 D and K of 16 December 1985, 41/69 K of 3 December 1986,
42/69 K of 2 December 1987, 43/57 J of 6 December 1988, 44/47 J of 8 December
1989, 45/73 J of 11 December 1990, 46/46 J of 9 December 1991, 47/69 J of 14
December 1992, 48/40 I of 10 December 1993, 49/35 G of 9 December 1994, 50/28
G of 6 December 1995 and 51/130, 13 December 1996, 52/63 of 10 December 1997,
53/52 of 3 December 1998 and 54/75 of 6 December 1999,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,
Having also considered the report of the
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East covering the period from 1 July 1999 to 30
June 2000,
1. Emphasizes the need for strengthening the
educational system in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 5
June 1967, including Jerusalem, and specifically the need for the
establishment of the proposed university;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take
all necessary measures for establishing the University of Jerusalem "Al-Quds",
in accordance with General Assembly resolution 35/13 B of 3 November 1980,
giving due consideration to the recommendations consistent with the provisions
of that resolution;
3. Calls once more upon Israel, the occupying Power,
to cooperate in the implementation of the present resolution and to remove the
hindrances that it has put in the way of establishing the University of
Jerusalem "Al-Quds";
4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-sixth session on the progress made in the implementation of the
present resolution.