Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 77
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 48/40 A 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 covering the period from 1 July 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
Welcoming the signature by the Government of the State
of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization of the Declaration
of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements at Washington
on 13 September 1993, 2/ and the subsequent implementation agreements,
Commending the work of the Multilateral Working Group on
Refugees of the Middle East peace process,
Welcoming the appointment by the Secretary-General of a
Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories,
Welcoming also the decision to transfer the headquarters
of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East to its area of operation,
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;
2. 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;
3. Endorses the decision of the Secretary-General to transfer
the headquarters of the Agency, requests the Commissioner-General
to implement that decision in a manner which does not adversely
affect the efficient and continued running of the Agency in all
fields of its area of operation, and requests the Secretary-General
to produce a detailed financial plan to present to the Working
Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East as soon as possible
and in any case before the transfer takes place;
4. 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 resolution 194
(III), 3/ and requests the Commission to exert continued efforts
towards the implementation of that paragraph and to report to
the General Assembly as appropriate, but not later than 1 September
1995;
5. Notes the significant success of the peace implementation
programme of the Agency during the first year after the signing
of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements;
6. Welcomes the results of the Conference to Support Middle
East Peace, held in Washington on 1 October 1993, concerning urgent
financial and economic assistance in support of the economic and
social development of the Palestinian people, also welcomes contributions
by Member States to this end, and urges all Member States to extend
and expedite aid and assistance with a view to the economic and
social development of the occupied territories;
7. Directs attention to the continuing seriousness of the
financial position of the Agency, as outlined in the report of
the Commissioner-General;
8. Notes with profound concern that the structural deficit
problem confronting the Agency portends an almost certain decline
in the living conditions of Palestine refugees and therefore has
possible consequences for the peace process;
9. Calls upon all Governments, as a matter of urgency,
to make the most generous efforts possible to meet the anticipated
needs of the Agency, including the costs of moving the headquarters
to Gaza, and urges non- contributing Governments to contribute
regularly and contributing Governments to consider increasing
their regular contributions.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 2656 (XXV) of 7 December 1970, 2728
(XXV) of 15 December 1970, 2791 (XXVI) of 6 December 1971, 48/40
B of 10 December 1993 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, 4/
Having considered the report of the Working Group, 5/
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 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
Deeply concerned about the critical financial situation
of the Agency, which has affected and affects the continuation
of the provision of the necessary Agency services to the 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,
for the financing of the Agency for a further period of one year;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary
services and assistance to the Working Group for the conduct of
its work.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 2252 (ES-V) of 4 July 1967, 2341
B (XXI) of 19 December 1967 and all subsequent related resolutions,
Recalling also Security Council resolutions 237 (1967)
of 14 June 1967 and 259 (1968) of 27 September 1968,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General submitted
in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 48/40 F of 10 December
1993, 6/
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 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
Concerned about the continued 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 at
Washington on 13 September 1993, by the Government of the State
of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, 2/ with regard
to the modalities for the admission of persons displaced in 1967,
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 the hope for an accelerated return of displaced
persons through the mechanism agreed upon by the parties in article
XII of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements;
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 purposes;
5. Requests the Secretary-General, after consulting with
the Commissioner-General, to report to the General Assembly before
its fiftieth session on the progress made with regard to the implementation
of the present resolution.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
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 and 48/40 D of 10 December 1993,
Cognizant of the fact that the Palestine refugees have,
for the last four decades, lost their homes, lands and means of
livelihood,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,
7/
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 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
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 favourably
to its resolutions 41/69 D, 42/69 D, 43/57 D, 44/47 D, 45/73 D,
46/46 D, 47/69 D and 48/40 D;
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 also to all States, specialized agencies and
other international bodies to contribute towards the establishment
of vocational training centres 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 fiftieth session on the implementation of the
present resolution.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
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 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
Taking note of the letter dated 15 September 1994 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 General Assembly resolutions 48/40 E,
8/ 48/40 H 9/ and 48/40 J 10/ of 10 December 1993,
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, 11/
Affirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative
to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August
1949 12/ to the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including
Jerusalem,
Aware of the fact that Palestine refugees have, for over
four decades, lost their homes, lands and means of livelihood,
Aware also 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,
Expressing its appreciation for the role which has been
played by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East over the years in the service of the
Palestine refugees, and aware of the importance of its presence
and the increase in its work in the new circumstances,
Aware further of the valuable work done by the refugee
affairs officers of the Agency in providing protection to the
Palestinian people, in particular Palestinian refugees,
Deeply concerned about the 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 initiation of the new peace implementation
programme of the Agency,
Convinced of the necessity of the transfer of the headquarters
of the Agency to the occupied Palestinian territory as part of
the area of operation of the Agency,
Welcoming the signing at Washington 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,2/and the subsequent implementation agreements, including
the Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area signed at
Cairo on 4 May 1994, 13/
Taking note of the agreement reached on 24 June 1994, embodied
in an exchange of letters between the Agency and the Palestine
Liberation Organization, 14/
Recalling its decision 48/417 of 10 December 1993 on the
establishment of a working relationship between the Advisory Commission
of the Agency and the Palestine Liberation Organization,
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. Expresses its appreciation also to the Advisory Commission
of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East, and requests it to continue its efforts and
to keep the General Assembly informed on its activities, including
the full implementation of decision 48/417;
3. Acknowledges the support of the host Governments and
the Palestine Liberation Organization for the Agency in the discharge
of its duties;
4. Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to accept the
de jure applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilain Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949
12/ and to abide scrupulously by its provisions;
5. 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 11/ 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;
6. 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;
7. Requests the Commissioner-General to proceed with the
issuance of identification cards for Palestine refugees and their
descendants in the occupied Palestinian territory;
8. 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 2/ and subsequent implementation agreements has had
major consequences for the activities of the Agency, which is
henceforth called upon, in close cooperation with the Special
Coordinator in the Occupied Territories, the specialized agencies
and the World Bank, to continue to contribute towards the development
of economic and social stability in the occupied territory;
9. Notes also that the functioning of the Agency remains
essential in all fields of operation;
10. Notes further the significant success of the peace
implementation programme of the Agency during the first year following
the signing of the Declaration of Principles;
11. Urges all States, specialized agencies and non-governmental
organizations to continue and to increase their contributions
to the Agency so as to ease the current financial constraints
and to support the Agency in maintaining the provision of the
most basic and effective assistance to the Palestine refugees.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
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 48/40 G of 10 December 1993, 15/
Taking note also of the report of the United Nations Conciliation
Commission for Palestine, covering the period from 1 September
1993 to 31 August 1994, 3/
Recalling that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
16/ and the principles of international law uphold the principle
that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her private
property,
Considering 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,
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,
Taking note of the completion of the programme of identification
and evaluation of Arab property, as announced by the Conciliation
Commission in its twenty-second progress report, 17/ 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,
1. 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 and to establish a fund for the receipt
of income derived therefrom, on behalf of the rightful owners;
2. Calls once more upon Israel to render all facilities
and assistance to the Secretary-General in the implementation
of the present resolution;
3. Calls upon the Governments of all the other Member States
concerned to provide the Secretary-General with any pertinent
information in their possession concerning Arab property, assets
and property rights in Israel which would assist the Secretary-General
in the implementation of the present resolution;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General
Assembly at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the
present resolution.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
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
and 48/40 I of 10 December 1993,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,
18/
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 1993 to 30 June
1994, 1/
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. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the
General Assembly at its fiftieth session on the progress made
in the implementation of the present resolution.
83rd plenary meeting
9 December 1994
____________
1/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session,
Supplement No. 13 (A/49/13).
2/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
3/ See A/49/509, annex.
4/ A/36/866 and Corr.1; see also A/37/591.
5/ A/49/570.
6/ A/49/441.
7/ A/49/439.
8/ A/49/440.
9/ A/49/442.
10/ A/49/443.
11/ Resolution 22 A (I).
12/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
13/ A/49/180-S/1994/727, annex.
14/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Forty-ninth Session,
Supplement No. 13 (A/49/13), annex I.
15/ A/49/488.
16/ Resolution 217 A (III).
17/ Official Records of the General Assembly, Nineteenth Session,
Annexes, Annex No. 11, document A/5700.