Resolution 58/95
(December 17, 2003)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 212 (III) of 19 November
1948, on assistance to Palestine refugees, and 302 (IV) of 8 December
1949, by which, inter alia, it established the United Nations Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,
Recalling also all its subsequent resolutions
on the question, including resolution 56/52 of 10 December 2001,
Recalling further relevant Security Council
resolutions,
Acknowledging the essential role that the Agency
has played for more than fifty years since its establishment in ameliorating
the plight of the Palestine refugees in the fields of education, health
and relief and social services,
Aware of the continuing needs of Palestine refugees
throughout all the fields of operation, namely the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic,
Gravely concerned about the increased suffering
of the Palestine refugees, including the loss of life, injury and destruction
and damage to refugee shelters and properties, as well as the safety
of the staff and the damage to the facilities of the Agency,
Regretting the death of six Agency staff members
during the reporting period,
Deeply concerned about the continuing restrictions
on the freedom of movement of the Agency's staff, vehicles and goods,
which adversely affect the ability of the Agency to provide its services,
including its educational, health and relief and social services,
Stressing the necessity for compliance with
Articles 100, 104 and 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations Resolution
22 A (I). with regard to the safety of the personnel of the Agency,
the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security
of its facilities, including throughout the occupied territories,
Stressing also the need for respect of international
humanitarian law,
Emphasizing the obligations of all parties in
accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of
Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973.
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 2002 to 30 June 2003, Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement
No. 13 and corrigendum and addendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1 and Add.1).
the report of the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations
Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, A/58/450.
the letter dated 25 September 2003 from the Chairperson of the Advisory
Commission of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East addressed to the Commissioner-General, Official
Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No.
13 and corrigendum (A/58/13 and Corr.1), p. viii. and the report
of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine for the
period from 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2003, A/58/256, annex.
Deeply concerned about the continuing financial
situation of the Agency, which has affected and affects the continuing
provision of necessary Agency services to Palestine refugees, including
the emergency-related and humanitarian programmes,
1. Affirms the necessity for the continuation
of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East and the importance of its operation and services
for the well-being of the Palestine refugees and for the stability of
the region, pending the resolution of the question of the Palestine
refugees;
2. Calls upon all States to make the most generous
efforts possible to meet the anticipated needs of the Agency, including
those mentioned in recent emergency appeals, and to support the Agency's
valuable work in providing assistance to the Palestine refugees;
3. Takes note with approval of the report of
the Working Group on the Financing of the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East,4 for its efforts
to assist in ensuring the financial security of the Agency, and requests
the Secretary-General to provide the necessary services and assistance
to the Working Group for the conduct of its work;
4. Endorses 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 continuing assistance as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent
hostilities;
5. 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;
6. Reiterates its previous appeals to all States,
specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to continue
and to augment the special allocations for grants and scholarships to
Palestine refugees, in addition to their contributions to the regular
budget of the Agency;
7. Appeals to all States, specialized agencies
and other international bodies to extend assistance for higher education
to Palestine refugee students and to contribute towards the establishment
of vocational training centres for Palestine refugees, and requests
the Agency to act as the recipient and trustee for the special allocations
for grants and scholarships;
8. Expresses its appreciation to the Commissioner-General
of the Agency, as well as to all of the staff of the Agency, for their
tireless efforts and valuable work, particularly in the light of the
increasingly difficult conditions throughout the past year;
9. 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 Assembly decision 48/417 of 10 December 1993;
10. Commends the efforts of the Commissioner-General
to increase the budgetary transparency and efficiency of the Agency,
as well as the support of the host Governments for the Agency in the
discharge of its duties;
11. Calls upon all relevant parties to take
effective measures to ensure the safety of the personnel of the Agency,
the protection of its institutions and the safeguarding of the security
of its facilities;
12. Notes the success of the Agency's microfinance
and enterprise programmes, and calls upon the Agency, in close cooperation
with the relevant agencies, to continue to contribute towards the development
of the economic and social stability of the Palestine refugees.
72nd plenary meeting
9 December 2003
Sources: The United Nations |