ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - The centre for the protection of human rights of detained and missing Croatian citizens and their families, "Apel", considers it Croatia's right and obligation to request the U.N. Security Council to expand the
responsibilities and powers of the Hague Tribunal to include trials against persons accused of crimes against peace.
ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - The centre for the protection of human rights
of detained and missing Croatian citizens and their families,
"Apel", considers it Croatia's right and obligation to request the
U.N. Security Council to expand the responsibilities and powers of
the Hague Tribunal to include trials against persons accused of
crimes against peace. #L#
"We are obliged to request this due to the fact that it would be a
precedent for the U.N. to set up a court to prosecute persons
accused of serious violations of international humanitarian law
and not prosecute those responsible for crimes against peace," the
"Apel" centre notes in an open letter to the Croatian President, the
Prime Minister, and the President of the Sabor, suggesting that
they forward a request to that effect, supported with clear
evidence and arguments.
Those who committed the act of aggression against Croatia must be
prosecuted, not those who defended and liberated it, the "Apel"
letter says. "Apel" believes that the Croatian government must
enable its citizens to witness about their suffering in the Serbian
aggression.
"Without efforts to punish the executors of the aggression against
Croatia, we cannot expect any respect or loyalty to Croatian
victims and soldiers, or international forces which truly support
democracy and human rights.
"To freeze the past and distort the present is the worst legacy we
can leave future generations," reads the letter to the state
officials.
(hina) sp sb