A/RES/48/143 Page 3 Welcoming the establishment 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, in pursuance of Security Council resolutions 808 (1993) of 22 February 1993 and 827 (1993) of 25 May 1993, Noting with deep concern the reports on the findings of the Special Rapporteur 12/ and the Secretary-General, assisted by the staff of the Special Rapporteur, 13/ regarding rape and abuse of women in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deeply alarmed at the situation facing victims of rape in the conflicts in different parts of the world, in particular in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the continuing use of rape as a weapon of war, Desirous of ensuring that persons accused of upholding and perpetrating rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia will be brought to justice by the International Tribunal where appropriate, Recognizing the extraordinary suffering of the victims of rape and sexual violence and the necessity for an appropriate response to provide assistance to those victims, Taking into account resolution 37/3 of 24 March 1993 of the Commission on the Status of Women,14/ Noting with appreciation the work of humanitarian organizations aimed at supporting the victims of rape and abuse and alleviating their suffering, 1. Strongly condemns the abhorrent practice of rape and abuse of women and children in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, which constitutes a war crime; 2. Expresses its being used as a weapon of the women and children in Yugoslavia, in particular Herzegovina; outrage that the systematic practice of rape is war and an instrument of "ethnic cleansing" against the areas of armed conflict in the former against Muslim women and children in Bosnia and 3. Demands that those involved immediately cease those outrageous acts, which are in gross violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 8/ and the Additional Protocols thereto, of 1977, 9/ and take immediate action to ensure the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with their obligations under those instruments and other applicable international human rights instruments; ____________ 12/ E/CN.4/1994/47. 13/ E/CN.4/1994/5. 14/ See E/1993/27-E/CN.6/1993/18 and Corr.1, chap. I, sect. C. /...