SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS ON THE REPORT SUBMITTED BY
THE U.N.H.C.R. AS U.N. FOCAL POINT FOR RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO
EAST BENGAL REFUGEES IN INDIA, IN THE THIRD COMMITTEE
OF THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
November 18 and 19, 1971

 

The problem of East Pakistan refugees was debated in the Third Committee on November 18 and 19, 1971. Thirty-one countries participated in the debate including India and Pakistan. India spoke twice, as also U.K., France and Tuni­sia. Salient points made by various delegations who spoke in the debate are

given below:

 

1. U.S.A.-Ambassador W. Tapley Bcnnett : In the matter of the refugees we recognise that it is India which has borne the heavy load. Considering the vast challenge, the lack of existing facilities and the initial need to improvise in the face of unforeseen emergency, the Indian effort in caring for the refugees deserves great praise. We are mindful of the serious impact of this new refugee problem on India's economy and on its programme for economic development. The cost of caring for the refugees through March 31, 1972, it has been esti­mated by the World Bank, will reach the equivalent of dollars 700 million. United States believes it is the responsibility of the international community to make a massive effort to help India meet this cost. Conscience and awareness of the vast human need permit no other course. President Nixon has asked Congress to appropriate another dollars 250 million for assistance to refugees in India and for relief assistance in East Pakistan. In the face of this unparallelled human emergency, my country will not be found wanting. We agree that the total contri­butions as compared with the need are disappointing. Until the refugees have been repatriated, there can be no slackening of international financial and material support. We also note the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to facilitate the return of refugees by establishing 25 special camps where returnees are fed, clothed and generally assisted to resettle. The UNEPRO activity is a most en­couraging example of innovative response for the international community to the challenge of a major human tragedy. The Secretary-General still requires major support for this effort. The solution to this humanitarian problem lies in the return of the refugees to their homes. We hope conditions will be established to make return and resettlement possible. Until a solution is reached, my delegation appeals to the Governments of India and Pakistan to take all possible measures to facilitate the role of the U.N. in its efforts to provide relief assistance to the refugees in India and to the displaced and needy persons in East Pakistan. May we continue to witness an outpouring of human concern among people throughout the world for those unfortunate refugees.

 

2. U. S. S. R.-Ambassador V. S. Safronchuk: Noting the complex internal problems had arisen in Pakistan by not following peaceful political means without use of force, repressive measures against the people will not solve any political problem. India had reason for concern since the flow of refugees across the border had caused serious economic and other problems. In East. Pakistan repression against people should be ended and a political solution must be found in the interest of the whole Pakistani people. Urgent measures for achieving political solution by granting the inalienable rights of East Pakistan should be adopted. Refugees can return only when security is guaranteed. We hope that restraint and reason would prevail in the area and that an armed conflict would

not threaten peace of the region. Soviet Union would do everything possible to assist in a solution of the problem.

 

3. U.K.-The Earl of Gowrie : Spoke twice: The humanitarian issues are clearly the responsibility of the Third Committee, though obviously we all recog­nise only too clearly the problems of a political nature which lie behind this present situation. Political solution must be found if the refugees problem is to be ended, if voluntary repatriation is to be achieved and the hunger and misery are to be removed. But the question of how a political solution is to be achieved is not a matter for this Committee. It is, therefore, to the humanitarian aspects that my remarks are directed. Misery fell on innocent people and the Committee faced the responsibility of caring for those peoples. United Kingdom had given a total of £ 14.75 million to assist East Pakistani refugees in India and £ 2 million for aid in East Pakistan. The need was gigantic and the response must be of the same dimensions. We extend deep appreciation to UNEPRO for coping with disrupted patterns of life in East Pakistan. It was a question of relief to the population in sensitive areas susceptible to border problems. His Government urged that full co-operation and aid be given to UNEPRO in its work.

 

4. FRANCE-Mon. J. Kosciusko Morizet, M. P : Spoke twice : He shared the concern of India on the intolerable burdens faced by her by the influx of refugees into India and appealed for humanitarian assistance to India sharing the concern expressed by the High Commissioner over the Pakistani refugees in India. As regards assistance to the population in East Pakistan, it was unfortunate that UNEPRO was experiencing difficulties and even danger in the efforts to render help. He called on the international community to heed the warning that there could be conditions which would make it impossible to get it to the people. He declared that the future is dark and we must heed the warning. We must observe that although the international community has sympathy for East Pakistan, there are limits to the humanitarian aid we can give in the immediate future. He appealed to all concerned for a peaceful and gene­rous solution which will end this ordeal.

 

5. POLAND-Mr. W. Neneman : A dramatic humanitarian problem on an unprecedented scale had been created. Aid could limit suffering, but it could not solve a problem which could only be ended by the return of the refugees. The only permanent solution is ac return of refugees in safety. We hope that the Government of Pakistan would find a political solution in East Pakistan to enable refugees to go back. That would be in the best interests of peace.

 

6. NETHERLANDS-Ambassador R. Fack : Realising that the world has been confronted with the staggering problem of the refugees of East Pakistan on Indian soil, and deeply moved by the miserable plight of these millions, I have been authorised today to announce that my Government will make available a further gift of 10 million Guilders (about 3 million dollars) for the refugees in India and a further gift of 10 million Guilders (of which half will be in food aid) for the population of East Pakistan. The world's assistance has not been sufficient. What can this Committee and the General Assembly do to help find or promote a solution of a humanitarian problem of unprecedented scope which is putting an enormous strain on India, and at the same time on the relations between India and Pakistan. The Indian Government deserves the world's grati­tude for this speedy and generous response. Both India and Pakistan seem to share the view of the international community that voluntary repatriation of the refugees is the only solution to this problem. As there are no signs of an im­pending large scale return, the world community faces two problems, namely, an immediate need for increased international aid to relieve the sufferings of the refugees and of those living in abject circumstances in East Pakistan, and secondly the urgency of promoting a solution by means of voluntary repatriation. The Committee should lend its weight to previous appeals for massive aid and assis­tance and at the same time bear in mind that it should be commensurate with the world community's willingness to indicate and promote a solution, as world's interest in specific refugee problems tends to flag if allowed to drag on unresolved; and the longer they last, it becomes difficult to raise funds and their mere presence becomes an international liability. Therefore, this Committee and the General Assembly, in the interests of the refugees and in accordance with the declared views of the Governments of India and Pakistan, tackle the two aspects of the question at the same time. To this end, the Netherlands delegation and the delegation of New Zealand have drafted a resolution. The tragedy of the sub­continent was caused by mortal fear-often understandable, sometimes perhaps irrational-but still mortal fear... The co-sponsors regard the draft as entirely non-controversial. The appeals to the two Governments are strictly in conformity with the declared intentions of these Governments.

 

7. NEW ZEALAND-Ambassador J. V. Scott: The refugee problem has wor­sened with refugees continuing to cross the border into India. Greater inter­national efforts were required to provide for the refugees and the people of East­Pakistan. They would like to see that the ECOSOC review the situation when next in session. India could not be expected to bear the burden of the refugees indefinitely. The only satisfactory solution to the problem is for the refugees to return in safety and confidence to their country. Conditions must be created in East Pakistan which would encourage the refugees to return to their homes and take part in the development of the country. That was the only way to achieve a durable solution. So far, relatively few refugees have returned to their homes, and in the last few weeks security conditions in East Pakistan had deterio­rated, border clashes have become more frequent, and tension had risen to a point where there was a serious danger of war between India and Pakistan. At the heart of the problem was the desire of the people of East Pakistan for grea­ter control of their own affairs. Thus the problem could only be solved by negotiations between the Government of Pakistan and the freely elected represen­tatives of the people of East Pakistan. The resources available were still far from adequate to meet the needs of the situation. In the belief that the General Assembly could address itself to the humanitarian aspects of the problem, his delegation has co-sponsored the draft resolution. The purpose of the draft was humanitarian, prompted by deep concern and focussing attention on means to alleviate the distress of those affected by the upheaval in East Pakistan.

 

8. YUGOSLAVIA-Mr. B. Osolnik, M. P. : The international community could not reduce its involvement merely to material assistance, for political condi­tions must be created for an early return of the refugees to their homeland. It was clear that the refugees could not be supported by assistance indefinitely. A political climate acceptable to repatriation must be achieved.

 

9. SWEDEN-Ambassador O. Bydbek: The refugee population in India is now greater than the population of most Member States of the U.N. Both qualitatively and quantitatively, the refugee problem is successively growing into disastrous proportions. All nations should contribute to the relief activities in relation to their economic strength. We have admiration for the efforts to alle­viate the plight of the refugees undertaken by the Government of India and the Indian people. Never before has a poor and developing country been faced such a gigantic task which cannot but have serious, consequences in terms of internal, social and economic conditions.   The humanitarian situation we are considering is of gigantic proportions. It can only be solved if conditions are created which make voluntary repatriation of the refugees possible. Quoting

from the statement of the Foreign Minister of Sweden on 28th September, the Ambassador said "The Swedish Government joins those who appeal to the Government of Pakistan to show moderation and restraint in order to bring an end to the violence in East Pakistan. Only a political solution based on respect for human rights and the will of the people as expressed through the ballot can solve the problem of East Pakistan". We hold the same view today. We there­fore, support the initiative of the Netherland and New Zealand delegations and become a co-sponsor of the draft resolution.

 

10. CYPRUS-Mr. C. Papademas: The Committee was entrusted with the humanitarian aspect of the tragedy of the refugees and there has to be some way of translating humanitarianism into action. The refugees fled to India because of fear of their lives. The 9 million refugees presented an overwhelming number that each country could realise by comparison to the size of their own population. His country sympathises with India and its people, for India is doing a noble task to give shelter to this vast mass of people. This is a man-made tragedy of proportions exceeding the imagination of man.

 

11. BHUTAN-Mr. A. N. Ram: The central issue before the Committee was the presence of more than 9 million refugees who had left East Pakistan to enter India. A grave sense of fear and insecurity had led those people to abandon their homes and they must return as soon as adequate conditions are created for their safe return. These conditions could be created only if the Government of Pakistan enter into a dialogue with the representatives of the people of East Pakistan in an attempt to reach a political solution. The General Assembly must address itself to the root cause of the problem to assist in the achievement of a political solution.

 

12. CANADA-Mon. P. Gerin Lajoie, President of the Canadian International Development Agency: I had led a Canadian fact-finding team to India and Pakistan and the impressions were deep and sombre. The massive influx of millions of refugees from East Pakistan to India has greatly increased tensions in the sub-continent, and as the number of refugees grow, it is evident that even India's herculean efforts to provide food, shelter and medical care, must be supplemented. The care of refugees had placed a serious burden on India's limited resources and threatened to undermine its own plans for social and econo­mic development. Clearly, voluntary return of the refugees was the ultimate solution to be reached. The Canadian Government appeals to India and Pakistan to solve the problem and reduce the tensions, adding that war would cause untold physical destruction and severe dislocation of the economies of these countries.

 

13. JAPAN-Miss C. Sanyo: She expressed the hope that the great Asian nations would come to an agreement through the office of UNHCR.

 

14. EGYPT-Mr. A. M. Moussa: The refugee question required the con­certed assistance and efforts of the international community until voluntary repatria­tion could be achieved. The co-operation of India and Pakistan, referred to by the High Commissioner, was appreciated by his Government which also agreed that the influx of refugees had placed immense burden on India. Quoting an earlier statement by the Egyptian Ambassador, he urged a solution by Pakistan which would safeguard its unity.

 

15. UGANDA-Mr. P. J. Okia: It is most unfortunate that we should have added to the already explosive refugee problem of about 8 million people which has taken place in the continent of Asia. Indeed the people and the Government of India have borne a burden unparalleled before in the history of refugees. We hope that this heavy burden will be lifted from the hands of the Govern­ment of India by an early repatriation of these refugees. My delegation does not intend to enter into political as well as economic factors which have caused this untold suffering. We feel that this is a problem to be settled by India and Pakistan, but this does not stop us from making an appeal to the two countries to resolve their differences quickly. In the case of Pakistani refugees, and those in the Middle East, we hope that a lasting political settlement will be arrived at as soon as possible.

 

16. HUNGARY-Mr. G. Badi : His delegation believed human wisdom would prevail leading to the voluntary repatriation of the refugees.

 

17. GREECE-Mrs. E. A. Daes : We spoke about the Pakistani refugees in the last ECOSOC meeting and expressed the hope that it would be for a tem­porary period of time. Since then, we have been informed that millions of refu­gees have left their homes in East Pakistan under the most tragic conditions and have fled to India, and recently the number has not lessened but has increa­sed. My delegation has been very much concerned with the humanitarian reasons of the flight of people into India as refugees, and for contributing to the alleviation of their suffering.

 

18. TUNISIA-Ambassador R. Driss : The draft resolution of the Netherlands and New Zealand presented a disagreeable choice between the friendship of India and that of Pakistan, while the important factor was a reconciliation between the two nations. A recommendation should be made to the President of the Assem­bly to launch an appeal calling in particular on the authorities concerned to mani­fest a spirit of co-operation and understanding, which alone would lessen tensions, and that they intensify efforts to establish a climate of confidence favouring the voluntary return of the refugees to their homes. Speaking again, the Ambassador said that he would prefer that no vote be taken on his recommendation, but rather a consensus result with ensuing unanimity. He was aware of the serious­ness of the problem facing the U.N. Delegations must reach an agreement and introduce an element of harmony, and not confrontation. A solution could not be found by words. The only document existing was the Secretary-General's appeal. The President of ECOSOC had found it difficult to convince both sides that it was in their best interests to have a document concentrating on the humanitarian aspects of the problem. Now it is up to the international community to assume its responsibility. To this end, he urged the three co-sponsors of the draft resolution to withdraw it so that all together can draft a recommendation in the humanitarian spirit and co-operation that all seek.

 

19. BURUNDI-Mr. A. Nyankiye : His country was sympathetic to the people suffering in India and in East Pakistan, for it too had experienced refugee situation. He expressed the hope that India and Pakistan could solve the situa­tion peacefully. A political solution is possible between the two Governments, and they must make an effort for instilling mutual confidence. " Let us not seek the origin of this disaster but simply help the victims of it. "

 

20. AUSTRIA-Mr. S. Ermacora: The problem cannot be solved in a humani­tarian angle only but the tragedy had roots in highly political events. He expressed the hope that a political solution would be found adding that the purely human problems would also have to be solved. The debate should not be controversial, but he considered that Tunisian initiative represents an acceptable compromise.

 

21. LIBYA-Mr. 1. Babaa : Only through the respect of the national unit'. and territorial integrity of Pakistan could the return of refugees become a reality. He would support the recommendations proposed by Tunisia.

 

22. NIGERIA-Mr. A. Mohammed : He viewed the refugee problem in. a:: entirely and absolutely humanitarian way, and urged that political interventions should be omitted. Outlining the matters that must be taken into account were: Pakistan was a sovereign State and that Pakistan had internal problems. Also that the refugee problem in India was the biggest and worst ever in the world. "We could not engage in any political discussion of the problem as it was to be dealt with by the Security Council under Chapter VI of the Charter. We recommend that all States should endeavour to contribute even more to help India, but in the problems between India and Pakistan we do not need any international action. The problem between the two countries were not caused by the refugees, but began with the partition of India. Even if the United Nations were able to solve the refugee problem, there would be other bones of contention between the two countries, such as religious ones, Hyderabad, Indus, Kashmir, Junagarh, etc. So long as we respect the sovereingty of any country, all internal problems within it are not the business of the United Nations ". He proposed that­

 

(a) the Committee discuss the problem and leave no record, i.e., no summation ;

(b) the Chairman should make summary of discussion on a kind of concensus;

(c) the Tunisian proposal should be considered; and

(d) the Three-Power draft resolution should be so amended as to delete operative paragraph 3 which was highly political and amend operative paragraph 4 to appeal to the Governments of India and Pakistan to continue to promote an atmosphere which would encourage the 'speedy return of the refugees to their homes.

 

23. IRELAND-Mr. T. Corcoran : His Government had viewed with great concern the desperate plight of 7 million men, women and children (exceeding the population of Eire) rendered homeless and prey to hunger, disease and death. It was one of the greatest human disasters that had occurred in this century and also it could not fail to arouse the profound sympathy of the world commu­nity; sympathy was not enough. A political solution based on reconciliation can be realised which will be the permanent solution. His delegation supported the Three-Power draft resolution.

 

24. ALGERIA-Miss S. Senami : The refugee situation was rapidly degene­rating into a conflict between the two Governments and 'the hostility and supicion which hurt all concerned. Her country's friendship with both Governments had led it to be hopeful of a quick return of refugees, the effective humanitarian aid and national reconciliation within Pakistan. She supported the Tunisian recommendation and hoped that it would be unanimously adopted.

 

25. GHANA-Mr. K. Sekyiamah : The situation in India had been compoun­ded by the suddenness and magnitude of the refugee influx. Whether the Pakis­tani or the Indian figures were accepted, the situation is no less grim or distur­bing. We strongly supported measures which would assure voluntary repatriation and called on the two Governments to co-operate in establishing a climate which will promote this voluntary repatriation.

 

26. ITALY-Mr. Di Bernardo : The present situation showed no signs of improvement and the social and human pre-occupation that prompted the Three­Power draft resolution reflected the opinion that efforts must be made to assist the refugees in returning to their homes. Any further initiative to alleviate the distress of millions and to hasten the return home should be taken without delay.

 

27. MOROCCO-Mrs. H. Warzazi : The Committee should formulate positive proposals which must achieve unanimous support through the elimination of political elements. The Three-Power draft resolution contains certain basic political elements which made it unacceptable to both India and Pakistan. Humanitarian solution should be found, but allusions to a political solution were out of place in the Third Committee which had no need to draw the attention of Pakistan to the need to create conditions permitting a return of the refugees.

 

28. KUWAIT-Mr. K. Al Babtin : Noted that Pakistan had offered assurances as to the return of the refugees. India had shown great restraint in dealing with the problem. The alleviation of suffering was vital, but a formula must be found to give those refugees hope.

 

29. AUSTRALIA-Mr. R. A. Peachey : The numbers of people involved were so staggering that at times there might have been a tendency to think of them as masses of people rather than as millions of individuals. The refugees must be free to return to their families and their friends, to their houses and communities which were left behind. Expressed the hope that enmities Should be set aside in the face of tragic situation, and that strenuous efforts would be made by those in authority to bring about an early solution.

 

30. PHILIPPINES-Mr. H. J. Prillantes : There was creeping into the subject an element of politics which is unhealthy. The Three-Power draft resolution should be withdrawn. Instead, the Chairman must make a summation for the record leaving it to the President of the General Assembly to endorse that sum­mation.

 

31. NEPAL-Mr. J. Jha : This humanitarian problem contained a seed of a major conflict in the region. Therefore, it was very properly the concern of the international community. The international assistance, although unprecedented, was obviously inadequate. There was a clear need for more generous assistance. The only solution to the problem lay in the voluntary repatriation of the refugees and to that end the General Assembly should appeal for the promotion of condi­tions to allow them. Any appeal would be effective only when the parties to which it was addressed feel inclined to heed it.

 

 

 

Source: Bangladesh Documents, vol – II, p. 108 – 114