Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country

 

Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country

  The General Assembly, Having considered the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, Recalling Article 105 of the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, Recalling further that the problems related to the privileges and immunities of all missions accredited to the United Nations, the security of the missions and the safety of their personnel are of great importance and concern to Member States, as well as the primary responsibility of the host country, Noting with deep concern the continued acts violating the security and the safety of the personnel of those missions accredited to the United Nations, Recognizing that effective measures should continue to be taken by the competent authorities of the host country, in particular to prevent any acts violating the security of missions and the safety of their personnel, Considering the issues raised by certain States Members of the United Nations in response to the request and to action by the host country to reduce the size of their missions, Conscious of the increased interest shown by Member States in participating in the work of the Committee,

1. Endorses the recommendations of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country contained in paragraph 87 of its report;

2. Strongly condemns any criminal acts violating the security of missions accredited to the United Nations and the safety of their personnel;

3. Urges the host country to take all necessary measures without delay to continue to prevent criminal acts, including harassment and violations of the security of missions and the safety of their personnel or infringements on the inviolability of their property, in order to ensure the existence and functioning of all missions, including practicable measures to prohibit illegal activities of persons, groups and organizations that encourage, instigate, organize or engage in the perpetration of acts and activities against the security and safety of such missions and representatives;

4. Urges the host country and the Member States that raised the issues in response to the request and to action by the host country to reduce the size of their missions to follow the path of consultations with a view to reaching solutions to this matter, in accordance with the Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations;

5. Stresses the importance of a positive perception of the work of the United Nations, expresses concern about a negative public image and, therefore, urges that efforts be continued to build up public awareness by explaining, through all available means, the importance of the role played by the United Nations and the missions accredited to it in the strengthening of international peace and security;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to remain actively engaged in all aspects of the relations of the United Nations with the host country and to continue to stress the importance of effective measures to avoid acts of terrorism, violence and harassment against the missions and their personnel, as well as the need for any pertinent legislation adopted by the host country to be in accord with the Agreement and its other relevant obligations;

7. Decides to consider at its forty-second session the question of the composition of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country;

8. Requests the Committee on Relations with the Host Country to continue its work, in conformity with General Assembly resolution 2819 (XXVI)of 15 December 1971;

9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-second session the item entitled "Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country".