HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, "HORRIFIED" BY IMAGES OF CHARRED HUMAN REMAINS IN KOSOVO, REITERATES NEED FOR IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION

HR/98/64
2 September 1998



The following statement was made today by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson :


"The last several days have brought new reports of more violence in the province of Kosovo in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The death toll is rising. I am haunted and horrified by this weekend's images of charred remains in a makeshift crematorium.

For many months, the violence in Kosovo has provided us with countless images of death, destruction, and human suffering. We have seen too many funerals, too many terrified faces, too many smouldering buildings, too many empty streets and villages. The humanitarian crisis is growing. The political crisis remains unresolved.

I suggest that instead of concentrating on those differences that separate the parties, efforts be focused to highlight areas of common concern. Amid this continuing tragedy, I have noticed that all parties, in different ways, have publicly expressed concern over violations of human rights. At different times during this past spring, Yugoslav Government officials, representatives of Kosovo Albanians, and international and domestic human rights advocates - including the Special Rapporteur, Jiri Dienstbier, with whom I have discussed this statement - have supported independent investigation by experts, including international forensic specialists, into the violent deaths resulting from armed actions. No such investigation has occurred. The tragic developments of this past weekend further underscore the need for such investigations. Joint efforts to promote independent investigation into these tragedies are in the interest of all persons committed to human rights in Kosovo."