A/RES/51/203
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 enhance the
conditions necessary to facilitate return, and stressing the need for a
regional approach to the issue of refugees and displaced persons,
Welcoming the foundation on 30 October 1996 of the Coalition for Return,
composed of refugees and displaced persons from within and outside Bosnia and
Herzegovina, including members of all communities, and expressing support for
its efforts in facilitating the objectives of annex 7 of the Peace Agreement,
Welcoming also the Agreement on Subregional Arms Control negotiated at
Vienna and Florence, as a vital instrument in ensuring regional stability, and
alarmed by reports of uneven levels of compliance with provisions of the
Agreement,
Having considered the third 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 and 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,
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, and 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,
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 immediate establishment of diplomatic relations,
among those States, in accordance with the Peace Agreement,
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,
Welcoming the holding of elections under the supervision of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on 14 September 1996 for
State, Entity and canton level offices, and calling upon all parties to
further cooperate with the organization in the preparation and holding of free
2
A/51/292-S/1996/665; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fiftyfirst Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1996, document S/1996/665.
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