S/PV.3727 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Croatia in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the further report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Croatia pursuant to Security Council resolution 1019 (1995), document S/1996/1011 and Corr.1. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council. “The Security Council has considered the report of the Secretary-General of 5 December 1996 (S/1996/1011 and Corr.l), submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 1019 (1995) on Croatia. “The Security Council acknowledges notable progress in the humanitarian situation, in particular measures taken by the Government of Croatia to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs of the Croatian Serb population. “The Security Council is deeply concerned that in spite of its previous requests there has been little progress on the issue of the return of the Croatian Serb refugees and urges the Government of Croatia to adopt a comprehensive approach in order to facilitate the return of refugees originating from Croatia to their homes of origin throughout Croatia. It deplores the continued failure by the Government of Croatia to safeguard effectively their property rights, especially the situation where many of those Serbs who have returned to the former sectors have been unable to regain possession of their properties. The Council calls upon the Government of Croatia to apply immediately proper procedures to the question of property rights and to stop all forms of discrimination against the Croatian Serb population in the provision of social benefits and reconstruction assistance. “The Security Council is deeply concerned at reports that the new amnesty law is not being implemented in a fair and equitable manner. It underlines that equitable application of that law is vital for building confidence and promoting reconciliation in Croatia as well as for the peaceful reintegration of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. “The Security Council stresses the importance of the commitments undertaken by the Government of Croatia in relation to the Council of Europe, including its signature of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, and expects that the Government of Croatia will implement those commitments fully and without delay. “The Security Council reiterates its call upon the Government of Croatia to cooperate fully with “The Security Council will remain seized of the matter and requests that the Secretary-General This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1996/48. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.