Decision 3 (53) on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia : Yugoslavia. 18/08/98.
A/53/18,para.IIB3. (Decision)
Convention Abbreviation: CERD
COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Fifty-third session
3-21 August 1998
22. At its fifty-third session, the Committee considered the situation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia and Rwanda and adopted decisions. In addition, the Committee made
requests for additional information from Australia and the Czech Republic under
this agenda item.
Decision 3 (53) on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,
Considering the grave developments in Kosovo and Metohija since the adoption of its concluding observations on 30 March 1998 concerning the report submitted by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Referring to its concluding observations of 30 March 1998 concerning the report submitted by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Also referring to general recommendation XXI (48) of 8 March 1996,
Noting Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March 1998,
1. Calls upon the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the leadership of the Albanian community in Kosovo and Metohija to stop immediately all military and paramilitary activities or hostilities and to enter into negotiations on a just and lasting solution for Kosovo and Metohija, which shall include a status of the highest level of autonomy which will make it possible for everyone to enjoy human rights and in particular to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination;
2. Reaffirms that questions relating to Kosovo and Metohija can be resolved only by peaceful political means in accordance with international standards in the field of protection of human rights, in particular with respect to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, and should be based on respect for the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;
3. Further reaffirms that all people who have been displaced or who have become refugees have the right to return safely to their homes and properties and to receive assistance to do, and to be compensated appropriately for any such property that cannot be restored to them;
4. Reiterates its call that the Memorandum of Understanding on the normalization of education in Kosovo and Metohija, signed by President Milosevic and representatives of the Albanian population in September 1996, be implemented fully;
5. Expresses its deep concern about:
(a) Persisting grave violations in Kosovo and Metohija of basic human rights, including the rights set out in articles 5 (a) and (b) of the Convention;
(b) The disproportionate use of force by the State party's law enforcement agencies and the military against the Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija which, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has resulted in numerous violations of the right to life, destruction of property and in a great number of people being displaced or made refugees, of whom many are women and children, whose deaths or deprivation of their rights to security of person and protection against violence or bodily harm cannot be condoned or justified for whatever reason;
(c) Acts of violence against civilians in Kosovo and Metohija based on ethnic origin committed by whatever groups or individuals;
6. Requests the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in view of article 9, paragraph 1, of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, to provide it with information about the attempts that have been undertaken to achieve through a meaningful dialogue with the Kosovo-Albanian leadership a political solution for the status of Kosovo and Metohija, including the observance of international human rights, in particular as enshrined in the Convention. Such information should be submitted by 15 January 1999 so that the Committee can consider it at its session in March 1999.
1296th meeting
17 August 1998