C. The Establishment of the UNHCR

The International Refugee of Office (IRO) of the newly establised United Nations was replaced by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1951. The Statute of the UNHCR, adopted by a General Assembly resolution in 1950, outlines the responsibilities of the Office, the most important of which are

"providing international protection…and…seeking permanent solutions for the problems of refugees."

The High Commissioner for Refugees is elected by the United Nations General Assembly on the nomination of the Secretary-General. There have been nine High Commissioners to date. The current High Commissioner is Mr Ruud Lubbers from the Netherlands.

In accordance with UNHCR’s Statute, the High Commissioner follows policy directives from the General Assembly and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The Executive Committee of the UNHCR, known as EXCOM, oversees the work of UNHCR. It is made up of representatives of 57 states from all over the world. Non-member state representatives from international and non-governmental organisations may attend EXCOM meetings as observers. At their annual meeting in Geneva, EXCOM can make decisions called Conclusions, on specific aspects of refugee protection that are intended to guide UNHCR in its work.

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The Rights of Refugees and Displaced Persons