THE NEED FOR URGENT ACTION IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE IN ORDER THAT PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CAN BE RESTORED FOR ALL PEOPLES

Resolution adopted without a vote by the 89th Inter-Parliamentary Conference
(New Delhi, 17 April 1993)

The 89th Inter-Parliamentary Conference,

Deploring the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and condemning the atrocities against minorities, women and children,

Strongly condemning the practice of "ethnic cleansing" and most particularly the use of systematic rape of women and girls as a weapon of war, and declaring that such violations of human rights are most heinous war crimes and must be considered crimes against humanity,

Recalling the resolution adopted by the 88th Inter-Parliamentary Conference (Stockholm, September 1992) concerning the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Expressing deep concern that, despite all the relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, there has been a continuing escalation of violence, aggression and occupation of territories, causing millions of displaced persons and refugees, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Emphasizing that the international community should seek a solution which does not reward aggression,

1. Supports current international sanctions imposed on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and designed to end the fighting and place pressure upon those responsible for the conflict to reach an immediate settlement, and calls on the international community to take further measures to stop the aggression;

2. Emphasizes the need for more effective implementation of the United Nations total arms embargo on all sides in order to ensure its equal impact on all parties as a means to end the continuing aggression;

3. Endorses the decision taken by the United Nations Security Council in its resolution 808 (1993) to establish an international tribunal for the prosecution of persons responsible for violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

4. Reasserts the right of all communities to live in peace and security within their internationally recognized borders;

5. Expresses appreciation to all those undertaking peace-keeping and humanitarian aid action, especially under the auspices of the United Nations;

6. Recognizes the right of self-defense of UN peace-keeping troops, and calls on all parties to ensure their safety so that they can discharge their duties effectively in the field of humanitarian aid and peace-keeping;

7. Demands that humanitarian aid efforts be unimpeded by all parties to the conflict;

8. Strongly condemns all violations of humanitarian law and fundamental human rights in the former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the practice of "ethnic cleansing", and calls on those responsible to cease such violations immediately and ensure full respect for humanitarian law as well as the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons, regardless of their race, sex, language or religion;

9. Firmly condemns all forced demographic changes in the occupied territories of the former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

10. Calls on countries to help refugees fleeing from the conflict;

11. Urges the creation of the necessary conditions for the safe repatriation of all displaced civilians and refugees to their homes as soon as possible;

12. Categorically condemns the systematic rape of women and girls in the former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and urges the belligerent parties immediately to cease violence against women and girls;

13. Declares that systematic rape of women and girls in armed conflicts is a war crime and must be designated as a crime against humanity under international law;

14. Calls for the appointment of a special woman rapporteur, at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, for human rights violations committed against women, and suggests the establishment, within the framework of the United Nations, of a relief fund for the victims of systematic rape;

15. Calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to release immediately all persons arrested arbitrarily or detained;

16. Supports the efforts of those pursuing effective peace plans and bringing the warring parties together in an attempt to achieve a peaceful resolution, and welcomes international efforts to end the conflict in order to prevent it from spreading;

17. Demands that the Bosnian - Serb side sign without further delay the Vance-Owen peace plan as the other parties to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina have already done;

18. Asks the Inter-Parliamentary Council to consider sending a special IPU mission to the former Yugoslavia, in accordance with Article 1, 2(b) of the Statutes, to hold consultations with regard to human rights and to support efforts for peace in the region;

19. Suggests that, following the settlement of the conflict, the Inter-Parliamentary Council also considers sending a mission to observe the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes;

20. Urges national parliaments and governments to take all necessary measures to protect human rights, implement humanitarian law, promote peace and achieve a lasting solution to the underlying causes of conflict in the former Yugoslavia.