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NATO must arrest War Criminals in Kosovo Conflict

The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development today called on NATO forces to arrest war criminals already indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Montreal, 31 March, 1999 The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development today called on NATO forces to arrest war criminals already indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

"It's a question of credibility. The ICTY has indicted these war criminals, including Radovan Karavic; now NATO forces must arrest them so they can be tried inThe Hague," said Warren Allmand, President of the Interntional Centre, in a statement.

"The whereabouts of a number of these suspects are well-known, but there has been a political decision not to arrest them," he said. "That political decision must be reversed to prevent crimes against humanity." The International Centre said it welcomed the decision of Canadian special Prosecutor Louise Arbour who earlier today made public the existence of an indictment against Zelkjo Raznjatovic, also know as Arkan. The arrest warrant was also made public and served on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Embassy in The Hague. There are reports that Arkan, wanted for war crimes related to the conflict in Bosnia and Croatia, is now leading para-military forces in Kosovo. "NATO forces cannot allow him to go free," Mr. Allmand said.

Thousands of Serbs of Albanian origin are on the run, in constant fear for their lives as NATO continues to shell Serb targets. The ICTY should immediately send investigators to Albania and Macedonia to collect new evidence from refugees for future indictments against those responsible for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

In recent days, NATO officials as well as United Kingdom and US officials have talked of genocide in Kosovo and said they have evidence that crimes, falling within the jurisdiction of the special Prosecutor, have been committed. Such evidence should immediately be made available to the ICTY, Mr. Allmand added.

The International Centre also called on all the parties involved to uphold international humanitarian law in Kosovo and the rest of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Under international law, all have the obligation to protect civilians, which includes refraining from attacking non-combattants and not using them as human shields. International law also requires that all prisoners be treated with respect and dignity and be provided with proper care.

As part of its campaign against impunity the International Centre and has long advocated the creation of strong International Criminal Court to investigate, prosecute and judge those who commit the most heinous crimes, such as crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes.