AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS ON SURRENDER OF BH CROATS TO ICTY

ZAGREB, Oct 9 (Hina) - The recent surrender of ten Bosnian Croats charged with violation of human rights by the International Criminal Tribunal For Former Yugoslavia in The Hague is a welcome step towards the arrest of all suspects, Amnesty International said in a Thursday report, adding such processes should in the future be more accelerated, it added. It is disturbing that Croatian and Bosnian Croat authorities took almost two years for the surrender to take place, and that with considerable international pressure, the association for the protection of human rights said in its report. The report cites instances of human rights violation during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the basis of data already in the international community's possession. According to Amnesty International, the whereabouts of the criminals are known. Those who want justice to be done cannot rely exclusively on the suspects' voluntary surrender, the association said, adding NATO-led peace troops in BH (Stabilization Force) should be requested to perform the arrests. Over 50 inditees are still free in BH, Amnesty International said. The international community should not wait for local authorities to perform the arrest considering reticence or refusal by some, but act in line with its responsibility from the international law to demand the arrest of war criminals, Amnesty International said in its report. (hina) ha 091744 MET oct 97