Statement by
Ambassador Munir Akram permanent representative of Pakistan, Coordinator of the OIC Working Group on Human Rights in Geneva, on behalf of the OIC, at the 55th Session of the Commission on Human Rights, on the Situation in Kosovo
Geneva, 1 April 1999
Madam Chair,
I am taking the floor on behalf of OIC countries. The OIC countries are gravely concerned at the developments in Kosovo, in particular the continuing premeditated, cold blooded massacre of innocent civilians by the Serbian authorities.
2. We express our shock and indignation over the ongoing Serbian policy of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo which is reminiscent in scale and intensity of that we witnessed in Bosnia Herzegovina. We are particularly distressed at the increasing number of refugees flowing out of Kosovo and the Internally Displaced Person's in Kosovo. These are not "individual cases of barbarity". But, in their continued policy of ethnic cleansing and ethnic engineering, the Serbian authorities are acting in a gross, pre-meditated and systematic manner. As the High Commissioner on Human Rights pointed out, it is "a systematic and vicious campaign". Kosovars are forcibly being expelled from their homes. About 200,000 have been forced out of their homes. Their homes are being set on fire to prevent their return. Identity papers are being taken from Kosovars before they are allowed to flee. There are reports of Srebrinca style forced marches in which men and women are separated and subjected to all forms of human rights violations, including summary executions and massacres.
3. The massive military operations launched by the Serbian authorities against the defenseless people of Kosovo resulting in large-scale killings, systematic and planned massacres, destruction of houses and forced mass exodus to neighboring countries deserve the strongest condemnation by the international community.
4. The OIC Group reiterates its sympathy to and full solidarity with the people of Kosovo, reaffirms its total rejection of the arbitrary use of force against civilians and calls for immediate cessation of all crimes against humanity by the Serbian forces and the withdrawal of these forces from the civilian areas of Kosovo.
5. Though the Rambouillet Agreement did not offer the people of Kosovo all that they aspire to, they did sign the Agreement. We deeply regret the intransigent attitude of the Serbian authorities and their repression of the Kosovo people which have resulted in the present state of affairs.
6. The Commission on Human Rights cannot remain silent in the face of the horrible human rights situation created by the Serbian authorities. The Commission must play an active role in halting the bloodshed of innocent civilians by the Serbian authorities and promoting a peaceful, just and lasting settlement of the issue, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Kosovars.
7. The OIC Member States have submitted a draft resolution ( E/CN.4/1999/L.3) on the "Situation of Human Rights in Kosovo" which reflects the human rights principles at stake and recounts the grave human rights crisis in and around Kosovo. It deplores the recent enforced and involuntary disappearance and execution of the Kosovar political leadership including members of the delegation that negotiated and signed the Rambouillet Agreement. It recognizes that the people of Kosovo must be allowed to freely determine their own political future in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
8. The OIC resolution also calls on the Commission to:
9. The resolution also calls on the international community to bring to international criminal justice the perpetrators of ethnic cleansing, ethnic engineering and other crimes against humanity in Kosovo, specially Slobodan Milosevic and Colonel Arkan. It demands that the Belgrade authorities immediately sign and implement the Rambouillet Accords including the stationing of an international peace force.
10. It recognizes the right of the Kosovar refugees to return to their homes in safety and honour.
Madam Chair,
11. We also endorse the intention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to dispatch human rights monitors to the region. They should assess the human and humanitarian crisis caused by the Serbian policy of ethnic cleansing and to ensure compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. We appeal to the international community including the High Commissioner for Refugees, to extend all humanitarian assistance to the refugees and internally displaced in Kosovo. The OIC countries are responding individually and will soon act collectively to respond to this crisis. We appreciate, in this context, the statement by the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Ogata, especially her courage and frankness.
12. I hope, Madame Chair, that the Commission will adopt the draft resolution contained in L.3 urgently. The draft is open to co-sponsorship by other delegations. We look forward to an early response from the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights and the humanitarian crisis relating to Kosovo.
I thank you, Madam Chair.