Resolution 56/52
(December 10, 2001)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 55/123 of 8 December 2000 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 2000 to 30 June 2001, 1
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 2 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;
2. 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
2002;
3. 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;
4. 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,2 and stresses the importance that contributions to this Programme not
be at the expense of the General Fund;
5. 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;
6. 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;
7. Reiterates its deep concern regarding the
persisting critical financial situation of the Agency, as outlined in
the report of the Commissioner-General;1
8. Commends the efforts of the Commissioner-General
to move towards budgetary transparency and internal efficiency, and
welcomes in this respect the unified budget for the biennium 2002–2003;3
9. Welcomes the consultative process between
the Agency, host Governments, the Palestinian Authority and donors on
management reforms;
10. Notes with profound concern that the continuing
shortfall in the finances of the Agency, in particular at this time
of acute crisis, 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;
11. Expresses deep concern about the continuing
problem of restrictions on the freedom of movement of Agency staff,
vehicles and goods in the occupied territory, which has an adverse impact
on the operational effectiveness of the Agency's programmes;
12. 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;
13. Decides to extend the mandate of the Agency
until 30 June 2005, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph
11 of its resolution 194 (III).
82nd plenary meeting
10 December 2002
Notes
1. Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth
Session, Supplement No. 13 and addendum (A/56/13 and Add.1).
2. A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
3. Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-sixth
Session, Supplement No. 13, addendum (A/56/13/Add.1).
Sources: The United Nations |