Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CALLS FOR FURTHER EFFORTS FROM CROATIA ON RETURN OF REFUGEES
11 May 1999
Share
HR/99/43
11 May 1999
Welcomes Signing of Technical Cooperation Agreement with Government
High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson today urged Croatian authorities to show the required political will and leadership to consolidate progress achieved in human rights in the country and address outstanding issues of concern.
In talks with President Franjo Tudjman, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and other senior officials, Mrs. Robinson expressed disquiet over what she called the “inadequate rate of return” of Serb refugees to areas of Croatia, pointing out that the problem could be attributed largely to bureaucratic and legal obstacles. Serb refugees also faced difficulties reclaiming property, she said.
Mrs. Robinson said she was also worried about an apparent lack of transparency in a recent wave of indictments and arrests of Serb individuals accused of war crimes. Recalling that it has been alleged that the indictments are being used to intimidate potential returnees, Mrs. Robinson said it was important to ensure that they be based on valid grounds and raised the possibility of allowing international monitoring of proceedings for war crimes.
Mrs. Robinson said she was encouraged by assurances from Government officials that they were working to resolve outstanding problems. “The terrible suffering and displacement of so many people in Kosovo is a further compelling reason to welcome real leadership and political will to deal with the issue of returnees”, she said.
In Zagreb Mrs. Robinson also met with Croatian human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The High Commissioner said she was glad to have the opportunity to talk to NGOs, whose valuable work “highlights the importance of full respect for the freedoms of expression and association for a vibrant civil society. Allowing these freedoms to blossom fully would be a very significant manifestation of progress achieved in Croatia”.
The High Commissioner welcomed the signing yesterday of a technical cooperation agreement with the Government of Croatia, highlighting the importance of promoting awareness at the grassroots level of the need to build a culture of human rights. The project will see the High Commissioner’s Zagreb office work with the authorities in a programme of, among other activities, training of military, police and prison officials in human rights standards, and the development of human rights education.
Mrs. Robinson leaves Zagreb tomorrow on her way to Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav capital will be the last stop of the High Commissioner’s 12-day tour of Balkan countries. The High Commissioner will return to Geneva on 13 May to participate in a meeting of United Nations agencies on the Kosovo crisis.
11 May 1999
Welcomes Signing of Technical Cooperation Agreement with Government
High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson today urged Croatian authorities to show the required political will and leadership to consolidate progress achieved in human rights in the country and address outstanding issues of concern.
In talks with President Franjo Tudjman, Foreign Minister Mate Granic and other senior officials, Mrs. Robinson expressed disquiet over what she called the “inadequate rate of return” of Serb refugees to areas of Croatia, pointing out that the problem could be attributed largely to bureaucratic and legal obstacles. Serb refugees also faced difficulties reclaiming property, she said.
Mrs. Robinson said she was also worried about an apparent lack of transparency in a recent wave of indictments and arrests of Serb individuals accused of war crimes. Recalling that it has been alleged that the indictments are being used to intimidate potential returnees, Mrs. Robinson said it was important to ensure that they be based on valid grounds and raised the possibility of allowing international monitoring of proceedings for war crimes.
Mrs. Robinson said she was encouraged by assurances from Government officials that they were working to resolve outstanding problems. “The terrible suffering and displacement of so many people in Kosovo is a further compelling reason to welcome real leadership and political will to deal with the issue of returnees”, she said.
In Zagreb Mrs. Robinson also met with Croatian human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The High Commissioner said she was glad to have the opportunity to talk to NGOs, whose valuable work “highlights the importance of full respect for the freedoms of expression and association for a vibrant civil society. Allowing these freedoms to blossom fully would be a very significant manifestation of progress achieved in Croatia”.
The High Commissioner welcomed the signing yesterday of a technical cooperation agreement with the Government of Croatia, highlighting the importance of promoting awareness at the grassroots level of the need to build a culture of human rights. The project will see the High Commissioner’s Zagreb office work with the authorities in a programme of, among other activities, training of military, police and prison officials in human rights standards, and the development of human rights education.
Mrs. Robinson leaves Zagreb tomorrow on her way to Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav capital will be the last stop of the High Commissioner’s 12-day tour of Balkan countries. The High Commissioner will return to Geneva on 13 May to participate in a meeting of United Nations agencies on the Kosovo crisis.