Resolution 1019 (1994) on the Humanitarian Situation and Needs of the Refugees, Displaced Persons and Other Vulnerable Groups in the Countries of the Former Yugoslavia

Resolution 1019 (1994)[1] on the Humanitarian Situation and Needs of the Refugees, Displaced Persons and Other Vulnerable Groups in the Countries of the Former Yugoslavia THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, AT ITS 1994 SESSION 1.The Assembly recalls its Recommendations 1175 (1992), 1176 (1992), 1189 (1992), 1198 (1992), and 1205 (1993), and its Resolutions 969 (1991), 994 (1993), 999 (1993), 1004 (1993), 1010 (1993) and 1011 (1993) seeking to end the conflict and to strengthen humanitarian efforts on behalf of vulnerable populations in the former Yugoslavia. It welcomes Resolution 251 (1993) of the Standing Conference of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, the relevant resolutions of the European Parliament and those of the Security Council of the United Nations. While paying tribute to the efforts of the international peace mediators, the Assembly deplores the fact that, despite these texts and other expressions of the will of the international community, both the war and gross violations of human rights continue. 2.The Assembly also deplores the fact that the Committee of Ministers, hence the governments of the member states, has only partially followed up the above-mentioned recommendations and resolutions which are nevertheless recognised as expressing the force of public opinion in all countries, the public neither understanding nor accepting Europe's incapacity to put an end to the aggression and the conflict in the Balkans. 3.In 1993, the estimated number of refugees, displaced persons and others in need of humanitarian assistance in the former Yugoslavia increased by more than a million to 4,3 million, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Over 2,7 million of these were in Bosnia-Herzegovina, representing 60% of the pre-war population. Without an end to the conflict, the suffering of the Bosnian people can only worsen. 4.Under UNHCR leadership, the international community has responded with one of the largest humanitarian operations ever undertaken, but the delivery of humanitarian assistance remains subject to constant harassment and attack by the warring parties. The Assembly condemns this barbaric disregard for international humanitarian law, while reiterating its admiration and support for all those involved in delivering assistance to those in need. 5.The Assembly is concerned by recent statements by the Governments of Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom that they may withdraw their forces from the United Nations Protection Force (Unprofor) in Bosnia-Herzegovina if there is no progress towards a peace settlement by spring 1994. The Assembly is convinced that Unprofor should, on the contrary, be further strengthened to the point where it becomes an interposing force that is respected by all the belligerents and so as to allow it at the very least to fulfil its mandate to ensure protection and the delivery of humanitarian assistance, especially in view of the United Nations Security Council's declarations that "all necessary measures" should be taken to this end and that Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zepa, Gorazde, Bihac, Srebrenica and other threatened places should be made into "safe areas". 6.The Assembly takes note of the Croatian Government's threats to take action against the Bosnian Muslim refugees in Croatia, and even to intervene militarily in Bosnia, at a time when the question of the maintenance of the Croatian Parliament's special guest status is under review. 7.The Assembly is concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Serbia and Montenegro, for which these countries must themselves bear responsibility. According to UNHCR, food aid from donor countries has fallen far short of needs. Food and fuel deliveries have been held up by the lengthy procedures involved in obtaining authorisation from the United Nations Sanctions Committee. 8.The Assembly reiterates its demand that the warring parties cease hostilities and adopt a more constructive attitude in the negotiation of a peace settlement, and failing a rapid conclusion, solemnly calls on the governments of the member states to take constraining action towards all the parties to the conflict so as to bring an end to the war. 9.Furthermore, the Assembly:

i.urges all the Council of Europe member states to increase their contributions to the United Nations humanitarian assistance programme for the populations who are victims of the conflict in the countries of the former Yugoslavia;

ii.appeals to all nations to grant asylum/temporary protection to vulnerable groups in particular and to increase their offers of medical treatment for those unable to receive it in the area of the former Yugoslavia, and, to this end, calls on:

a.the relevant United Nations committee to abandon its restrictive interpretation of the criteria for evacuating the sick and injured from Bosnia;

b.European states to put into effect their offer of hospital beds by authorising, without administrative constraints or delays, the sick and injured and accompanying persons to enter their territories, and meeting the costs of their stay;

iii.appeals to all governments which have contributed troops to Unprofor to maintain or increase present force levels;

iv.calls on member states of the United Nations which have not yet done so to consider, in co-operation with the Secretary General of that organisation, making a contribution to Unprofor;

vi.demands that all the parties to the conflict in the area of the former Yugoslavia allow the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, in accordance with their own past commitments and the requirements of international humanitarian law;

vii.recommends the organisation on an urgent basis, under the aegis of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and in co-operation with the international humanitarian organisations:

a.of a series of "European humanitarian aid days for the populations affected by the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina", to begin on 27 February 1994;

b.of a conference of the non-governmental humanitarian organisations working in Bosnia-Herzegovina;

viii.recommends that the United Nations Security Council:

a.speed up the authorisation procedures of the United Nations Sanctions Committee;

b.approve the use of the military means necessary to secure ground and air routes for the protected delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance, and strengthen Unprofor in consequence.

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[1]Assembly debate on 25 January 1994 (3rd Sitting) (see Doc. 6997, report of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography, Rapporteur: Mr Flückiger).
Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 January 1994 (3rd Sitting).