U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES PASSAGE OF AMNESTY LAW

NEW YORK, Sept 20 (Hina) - The UN Security Council on Friday welcomed an amnesty law passed by Croatia's parliament and the improving humanitarian and human rights situation in the country, but regretted the government's failure to make additional efforts in this area. "Numerous incidents threatening the population in the formerly Serb-controlled areas are a continuing source of concern and could jeopardize the prospects for peaceful and substantial reintegration of refugees and displaced persons in Croatia," said a presidential statement adopted on Friday afternoon. "The Security Council recognizes steps taken by the Government of Croatia to reintegrate refugees and displaced persons into Croatia but urges the Government to expand its programme to accelerate the return of all such persons without preconditions or delay." The government was also urged to expand its humanitarian relief efforts before winter set in. The Council emphasized that the amnesty law must be implemented "without delay and in a fair and equitable manner, with full respect for the rights of the individual." It added that this was vital for the preparation of elections in Eastern Slavonia and the successful completion of the UNTAES mandate. "Despite some positive developments, the Security Council is deeply concerned that residents of the Krajina and Western Slavonia continue to suffer from inadequate security, including the danger of theft or assault at any time," the presidential statement said. The Council also expressed concern about threats against human rights activists, particularly deploring "the reported involvement of Croatian uniformed military and police officials in acts of looting and harassment." "The Security Council urges the Croatian authorities to act immediately to improve the security situation in those regions." The presidential statement called on the government to expand investigations of crimes committed against the Serb population last year. "The Council again calls upon the Government of Croatia to rescind its decision of September 1995 suspending certain constitutional provisions affecting the rights of national minorities, principally Serbs." The government was also reminded of its obligation to cooperate with the Hague-based international war crimes tribunal and was called upon to extradite persons for whom arrest warrants had been issued. The Council recalled that suspected war criminals in the area of former Yugoslavia should not be arrested without consent from the tribunal. (hina) vm 202304 MET sep 96