IV
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 577
To honor the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
for its role as a protector of the world’s refugees, to celebrate UNHCR’s
50th anniversary, and to praise the High Commissioner Sadako Ogata
for her work with UNHCR for the past ten years.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEPTEMBER 14, 2000
Mr. HALL of Ohio (for himself, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. SMITH
of New Jersey, and Mr. LANTOS) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
RESOLUTION
To honor the United Nations High Commissioner for Refu-
gees (UNHCR) for its role as a protector of the world’s
refugees, to celebrate UNHCR’s 50th anniversary, and
to praise the High Commissioner Sadako Ogata for her
work with UNHCR for the past ten years.
Whereas since the founding of the United Nations High Com-
missioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in December 1950, it
has become one of the world’s principal humanitarian
agencies with 244 offices in 118 countries and helps
nearly 23,000,000 people in more than 140 countries;
Whereas on December 14, 2000, UNHCR marks a half-cen-
tury of helping millions of the world’s most vulnerable
and courageous people;
•HRES 577 IH
Whereas UNHCR has fulfilled the mandate in Article 22 of
the United Nations Charter by assisting states to provide
protection and assistance to refugees around the world
and seeking durable solutions to their problems;
Whereas UNHCR has worked to ensure respect of refugees
basic human rights and adherence to the principle of
nonrefoulement, which prohibits the expulsion and return
of refugees to countries or territories where their lives or
freedom would be threatened;
Whereas the United States and its citizens have long wel-
comed refugees to our shores;
Whereas, although UNHCR’s responsibilities under its origi-
nal mandate do not include internally displaced persons,
it plays a critical role in assisting and protecting inter-
nally displaced populations in many situations, particu-
larly where refugees and internally displaced persons are
intertwined;
Whereas the heart of UNHCR’s mandate is protection, and
UNHCR must continue to emphasize protection in choos-
ing durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary re-
turn, local integration in countries of first asylum, and
resettlement;
Whereas refugee women and children face special protection
and assistance needs and UNHCR must continue to em-
phasize their needs in its policy and program efforts;
Whereas, in collaboration with other international agencies
and nongovernmental organizations, UNHCR has shaped
policies on which the international community can agree
to move forward on peacefully resolving refugee situa-
tions;
•HRES 577 IH
Whereas under the leadership of High Commissioner Sadako
Ogata and her predecessors, UNHCR has made invalu-
able contributions for humanity by helping to promote
peace and respect for human rights for all uprooted peo-
ples; and
Whereas UNHCR has twice been awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize for its service to humanity: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the United States House of
Representatives—
(1) recognizes and honors the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the
occasion of its 50th anniversary for its contributions
on behalf of the world’s refugees;
(2) expresses its support for the continued ef-
forts of UNHCR;
(3) affirms its support for international protec-
tion for the victims of persecution and human rights
abuse and durable solutions for refugees; and
(4) calls on the international community to
work together with UNHCR in efforts to ensure that
host countries uphold humanitarian and human
rights principles for refugees, to lessen the impact of
refugees on host countries, and to promote the safe
voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettle-
ment of refugees.
Æ