HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WELCOMES RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH-EAST SERBIA

30 May 2001



Voices Concern Over Situation in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia


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

“I welcome the news from South-East Serbia that a resolution has been reached of the conflict between Yugoslav forces and ethnic Albanian armed elements in the Presevo Valley region. While the situation remains delicate, the agreements of last week provide for important first steps on a number of critical issues, including demilitarization and surrender of weapons, the establishment of a multi-ethnic police force, and compensation to owners of damaged property. As with all such agreements, I should like to reiterate my position that it is vital that the amnesty not be extended to cover genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

These are all important conditions for the return of some 25,000 ethnic Albanian internally_displaced persons and for a peaceful resolution of the tensions and conflict that have de_stabilized the region for many months. It is to be hoped that moderate local leaders will now be in a position to help integrate ethnic Albanians fully into the political, economic and social fabric of life in Serbia. I believe that the renunciation of violence by all sides is a critical first step in that process.

All parties deserve great credit for the enormous efforts, political skill and personal courage that it has taken to reach this stage. It is now imperative that the political, economic and social reforms promised by the Yugoslav authorities - including the full realization of human rights - lead to tangible improvements for the local population. This may be a long process and will require the continued support of all concerned, including the international community.

While I am encouraged by the good news from South-East Serbia, I remain very concerned about the continuation of armed hostilities in neighboring former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where a number of civilian and military casualties were recorded in recent days. I should like to remind all parties to the conflict there of the value of intensive political dialogue which, as in the case of the Presevo Valley, can yield positive and concrete results.

I call for the immediate cessation of violence and renewal of dialogue in Macedonia, with the aim of finding ways to address the root causes of the conflict and preventing further escalation. I believe that no effort should be spared in this endeavour, which will be particularly critical in the coming days.”


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