REFUGEES, UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER

Abstract

This chapter describes the structure of United Nations high commissioner for refugees. The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees is a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly, established in conformity with Article 22 of the UN Charter. The High Commissioner is elected by the General Assembly, on the nomination of the United Nations Secretary General, for a fixed term, normally of five years. The term may be extended. The High Commissioner appoints, for the same term, a Deputy High Commissioner, who must be of a nationality other than his own, and the staff of his Office, who are responsible to him in the exercise of their functions. In the tradition of Fridtjof Nansen and with the approval of the respective governments, the UN High Commissioner maintains representatives in a great number of countries where refugees reside. The Executive Committee, which meets annually, advises the High Commissioner, at his request, in the exercise of his functions under the Statute. More particularly, it advises him whether and to what extent international assistance should be provided through his office to help solve specific refugee problems.