text: slowing downintherateofaccessions duringthelastfewyears,calling formore strenuous efforts onthepartofUNHCRtomaintain themomentum ofaccessions which characterized earlier reporting periods. Further accessions tothesebasic instruments -especially byStatesinthoseareasoftheworldconfronted with majorongoing refugee situations -willhelpstrengthen theinternational legal framework, whichisthenecessary corollary toeffective international actionon behalfofrefugees. Suchanewimpetus inregardtoaccessions, commensurate with theincreased volumeandcomplexity ofrefugee problems throughout theworld, may alsomakeitpossible toreachthegoalofuniversality intheforeseeable future.13.Violations ofthephysical safetyofrefugees provide acontinuing andtragic dimension totheHighCommissioner's international protection function. Duringthe reporting period, asinprevious years,refugees suffered injuryanddeath,notably throughmilitary orarmedattacks onrefugee campsandsettlements fromacross international borders andsometimes alsofromwithintheterritory ofthehost country, pirateattacksatseaandabduction fromcamps. ThefactthattheHig~ Commissioner's inOternational protection function hasbecomeincreasingly concerned Iwiththephysical safetyofrefugees isafurther reflection·of thetroubled situations indifferent partsoftheworldforwhichremedial actionbythe international community isurgently required. B.Principles ofinternational protection andrefugee rights 1.Asylum 16.Asylum, whichremains anattribute ofStatesovereignty, isalsoamost essential needoftherefugee, enabling himtoenjoyhisbasicrights. Itisfor thisreasonthat'theUniversal Declaration ofHumanRights-themodern-day Magna Carta-e~~odies theprinciple thateveryone hastherighttoseekandenjoyin othercountries asylumfrompersecution. 11Underlying thisbasichumanitarian principle istheuniversal conviction thateverypersonisentitled to~reedom from persecution. Itshouldbeaddedhowever thatthevastmajority ofthoseseeking asylumtodayarenotpersons fleeing fromdirectpersecution orbecause offearof20. gran rela coun the huma othe and and 21. oft buil -4-~~'19---------------------~"'---------------------- __",. persecution, butratherpersons whohavebeendisplaced fromtheircountries owing tosituations ofarmedconflict, foreign aggression oroccupation, orinternal upheavals accompanied byserious humanrightsviolations. Thereisnowan increasing recognition thatpersons inthislattercategory shouldbeprotected fromdangerthrough thegranting ofatleasttemporary asylumuntilsuchatimeas conditions intheircountry oforiginpermittheirreturn. 17.Despite thesubstantial andsometimes dramatic increases inthenumberof refugees seeking asylumwhichoccurred duringthereporting period,itismost encouraging tonotethatmanycountries inallareasoftheworldhavecontinued to maintain fairandgenerous asylumpractices. Thisisthesituation, forinstance, inmanypartsofAfrica, wheremillions havesoughttoescape fromacombination of civilstrifeanddevastating drought. Itisoneofthemostremarkable and commendable actsofhumanitarianism thatacountry liketheSudan,itselfravaged bydrought inmanyareas,hasopeneditsdoorstoaseemingly endless flowof refugees, currently estimated tobeover1,250,000 andstillarriving atanav~rage dailyrateofove~1,000. Thiscontinued willingness onthepartofmanyStatesto grantasylumtopersons fleeing frompersecution ordangerhasunquestionably servedtoreinforce theinstitution ofasylum. 18.Nevertheless, asnotedintheprevious report,i/anumberofcountries confronted withthearrival oflargenumbers ofasylum-seekers haveinrecentyears soughttoadoptrestrictive practices withregardtothegranting ofasylum. There wasnosignduringthereporting periodthatcountries whichhadadopted such restrictive measures werecontemplating theirwithdrawal orrelaxation, indeed, therewereindications thatcertain othercountries wereintheprocess ofadopting nimilar measures. 19.Therestrictive tendencies reflected duringthereporting periodincluded the adoption ofmeasur~s ofso-called "humane deterrence" combined withprolonged detention ofasylum-seekers andtheadoption ofsummary proce~ures -sometimes not accompanied byadeouate legalguarantees -fordealing with"abusive" or "manifestly unfounded" claims, therefusal toexamine asylumrequests basedona
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the topic of refugee protection and asylum, highlighting the challenges faced by refugees, the importance of international protection, and the need for countries to maintain fair and generous asylum practices. The text also touches on the issue of restrictive measures adopted by some countries to deal with large numbers of asylum-seekers. Given the focus on refugee protection and international cooperation, it is likely that the text falls under the category of humanitarian aid and relief.