[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 577 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 10, 2000.
Whereas since the founding of the United Nations High Commissioner 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 
        22,000,000 people in more than 140 countries;
Whereas on December 14, 2000, UNHCR marks a half-century of helping millions of 
        the world's most vulnerable and courageous people;
Whereas UNHCR continues to fulfill its mandate, as adopted by the United Nations 
        General Assembly on December 14, 1950, to provide international 
        protection to refugees and persons seeking asylum and to seek 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 welcomed refugees to our 
        shores;
Whereas, although UNHCR's responsibilities under its original mandate do not 
        include internally displaced persons, it plays a critical role in 
        assisting and protecting internally displaced populations in many 
        situations, particularly where refugee and internally displaced 
        populations are mixed;
Whereas the heart of UNHCR's mandate is protection, and UNHCR must continue to 
        emphasize protection in choosing durable solutions for refugees, 
        including voluntary return, local integration in countries of first 
        asylum, and resettlement;
Whereas vulnerable refugees, particularly women, children, and the elderly, face 
        special protection and assistance needs and UNHCR must continue to 
        emphasize 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 
        situations;
Whereas under the leadership of High Commissioner Sadako Ogata and her 
        predecessors, UNHCR has made invaluable contributions for humanity by 
        helping to promote peace and respect for human rights for all uprooted 
        peoples; 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 efforts of UNHCR;
            (3) affirms its support for international protection for the victims 
        of persecution and human rights violations and for the achievement of 
        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 principles 
        and the human rights of refugees, to lessen the impact of refugees on 
        host countries, and to promote the safe voluntary repatriation, local 
        integration, or resettlement of refugees.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.