Situation of human rights in Kosovo

Strongly condemns the overwhelming number of human rights violations committed by the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the police and military authorities in Kosovo, including summary executions, indiscriminate and widespread attacks on civilians, indiscriminate and widespread destruction of property, mass forced displacement of civilians, the taking of civilian hostages, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and calls upon the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to take all measures necessary to eliminate these unacceptable practices; strongly condemns the denial of appropriate access to Kosovo of non-governmental organizations, the manipulation and denial of relief and basic foodstuffs, and the denial of medical care to wounded civilians; deeply deplores the killing of humanitarian aid workers, as reported by the Secretary-General (A/53/563, para. 6); requests the Secretary-General to pursue his humanitarian efforts in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), working through UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, other appropriate humanitarian organizations and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with a view to taking urgent practical steps to meet the critical needs of the people in Kosovo, and to assist in the voluntary return of the displaced persons to their homes in conditions of safety and dignity.

Adopted 122-3-34, 85th meeting

6 p.

Adopted at the 85th plenary meeting, 9 Dec. 1998.