UN RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS VISITS MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Aug 8 (Hina) - Special UN rapporteur on human rights Elizabeth Rehn on Thursday visited Mostar as part of her visit to Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. #L# At a news conference in Mostar Rehn expressed satisfaction about the agreement that had been reached between Croats and Moslems in Mostar, stressing that those elected at Mostar elections should begin performing their duties. She described the human rights situation in Mostar as improving, adding that the situation in Mostar influenced the upcoming elections in Bosnia. Rehn said that she would influence relevant authorities to ensure access to all mass grave sites and a dignified burial of the victims. Stressing that through her visits to countries of the former Yugoslavia she had paid special attention to children, youth and the role of the Church, Rehn expressed conviction that religious leaders had had a strong role during the conflicts. Religious leaders had not protected their people, the faithful, but they had protected political leaders, which was something religion should not interfere with, Rehn said. (hina) lm 082320 MET aug 96