A/RES/52/150
Page 2
Concerned by the continuing obstructions faced by refugees and displaced persons wishing to return to
their homes, emphasizing the need for all parties and the relevant States and international organizations to
create the conditions necessary to facilitate return, and stressing the need for a regional approach to the issue
of refugees and displaced persons,
Expressing support for the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in facilitating
the return of refugees and displaced persons throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and in particular the Open
City project carried out by the High Commissioner,
Supporting the efforts of the Coalition for Return in facilitating the objectives of annex 7 of the Peace
Agreement,
Having considered the fourth annual report of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons
Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the
Former Yugoslavia since 1991,2 noting the varying degrees of cooperation and compliance described therein,
and stressing the importance and urgency of the work of the International Tribunal as an element of the
process of reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region as a whole,
Noting that the conclusions of the Peace Implementation Conference,3 held at Bonn, Germany, on 9 and
10 December 1997, state that all persons indicted for war crimes must be handed over to the International
Tribunal for justice to be dispensed impartially, under the terms of the Peace Agreement and Security Council
resolutions, and that they draw particular attention to the failure to carry out that obligation by the authorities
of the Republika Srpska and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,
Supporting fully the efforts of the International Tribunal aimed at the prosecution of persons responsible
for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia
since 1991, demanding that States and parties to the Peace Agreement meet their obligations to cooperate
fully with the Tribunal, as required by Security Council resolutions 827 (1993) of 25 May 1993 and
1022 (1995) of 22 November 1995, including with respect to surrendering persons sought by the Tribunal,
and welcoming the efforts to secure compliance with the orders of the Tribunal, consistent with the Security
Council mandate,
Welcoming the mutual recognition among all the successor States to the former Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia within their internationally recognized borders, and stressing the importance of full
normalization of relations, including the unconditional establishment of diplomatic relations among those
States in accordance with the Peace Agreement and the settlement of issues relating to the succession of
States,
Stressing the importance of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for the success of
the peace efforts for the region, and calling upon the Governments and the authorities in the region, as well
as relevant international organizations, to facilitate such full respect,
Noting that democratization in the region will enhance the prospects for a lasting peace and help to
guarantee full respect for human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region,
2
See A/52/375-S/1997/729; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-second Year, Supplement for
July, August and September 1997, document S/1997/729.
3
See A/52/728-S/1997/979, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-second Year,
Supplement for October, November and December 1997, document S/1997/979.
/...