normative character independent ofinternational instruments. 24.whiletheprinciple ofnon-refoulement ~asscrupulously adhered tobythe majority ofStatesduringthereporting period, therewerenevertheless instances ofviolation oftheprinciple indifferent areasoftheworld. ~nevictims of theseviolations wereindividual refugees aswellaslargegroups. Someofthe persons affected wererecognized refugees, butthevastmajority werepersons whose refugee statushadnotyetbeendetermined. Thisonceagainunderlined the importance ofestablishing procedures orarrangements foridentifying refugees and oftakingappropriate measures toensurethatthesecanbeavailed of.bypersons claiming toberefugees. 25.Whenever theHighCommissioner becameawareofthreatened measures of refoulement, hewasabletomakeappropriate representations totheauthorities of thecountry concerned andinmanycasesforcible returnwasprevented. Inthose instances inwhichaviolation oftheprinciple hadalready occurred, theHigh Commissioner expressed hisprofound preoccupation totheauthorities oftheStates -6-c p C h 2concerned, pointing outtheimperative needforthestrictobse(vance ofthe principle ofnon-refoulement. Insomecasesitwasalsopossible fortheHigh Commissioner toappealtotheauthorities ofthecountry oforigintotreat humanely thosepersons whohadbeenreturned indisregard ofthisprinciple. 3.Expulsion 26.Itisrecognized byarticle 32ofthe1951UnitedNations Refugee Convention thatcircumstances mayarisejustifying theexpulsion ofarefugee whoislawfully intheterritory ofaContracting State. Whileexpulsion maynothaveasgrave implications asrefoulement, itisevident thatsuchameasure mayinvolve considerable hardship forarefugee andmayhaveparticularly disruptive conseauences iftherefugee hasclosefamilymembers residing withhim.Itis recalled inthisconnection thattheExecutive Committee atit&twenty-eighth session considered itessential thatmeasures ofexpulsion against arefugee should betakenonlyinveryserious andexceptional casesandafterdueandcareful examination ofallthecircumstances andavailable alternatives, including the possibility fortherefugee tobeadmitted toacountry otherthanhiscountry of origin.1/ 27.Duringthereporting period, refugees inanumberofcountries wereSUbject to expulsion measures forreasons notjustified byarticle 32ofthe1951United Nations Refugee Convention. Refugee delinquents, sometimes afterserving their sentence, weregivenexpulsion ordeportation ordersbyapplication ofordinary national legislation oradministrative regulations concerning prohibited immigrants, without regardtotheirspecial situation. Itisevident thatrefugee statusdoesnotaffordanyimmunity fromcriminal process, butoncearefugee has beentriedandpunished foranoffence, heshouldnotbesubject toanexpulsion measure exceptonserious grounds ofnational security orpUblic orde~. 28.Adisquieting development duringthereporting periodwasatl!ndency onthe partofanumberofStatestorefuseorwithdraw asylumforsomerefugees inorder tomaintain goodrelations withtheircountries oforiginwhichwereseeking to havethemreturned orexpelleda Whenexpulsion measures wereadopted insuch cases, UNHCRwasusually givenaveryshortperiodwithinwhichtosecureadmission toanother country fortherefugees affected. Inthisconnection, theHigh Commissioner wouldliketoexpress hisgratitude toanumberofresettlement countries which-sometimes atveryshortnotice-agreedtoadmitsuchrefugees. Thisoccurred, forinstance, whenhundreds ofrefugees hadtoleavetheircountries ofasylum, wheresomehadlawfully resided foraslongas15years,duetothe conclusion ofsecurity agreements between theircountry oforiginandneighbouring countries. 29.Duringthereporting period, anumberofStatesalsoresorted tom~a~ures of expulsion withrespect toasylum-seekers without regardtotheirpossib}l.! refugee character, merelyonthegroundoftheirillegal entryorpresence. Suchexpulsion measures werecontrary toarticle 31ofthe1951UnitedNations Refugee Convention, whichexempts refugees frompenalties forunlawful entryorpresence provided they comedirectly fromacountry wheretheir'life orfreedomisthreatened andprovided theyhavemadetheirpresence knowntotheauthorities andshowngoodcausefor
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the protection of refugees and the principles of non-refoulement and expulsion, as well as the challenges faced by the UN High Commissioner in ensuring the safety and well-being of refugees. The language used is formal and legalistic, suggesting that the text is related to international law and human rights. The topics discussed, such as refugee status, expulsion, and asylum, are also consistent with the field of humanitarian aid and relief.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International law