Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

25 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on Amnesty International's reports outlining human rights abuses against members of minority communities in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14843/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The period ahead will be crucial in determining the conditions under which all the people of Kosovo – Albanian, Serb and others – can live together in peace, security and prosperity. The situation in Kosovo, which has implications for the whole western Balkan region, was raised in my discussions during my visit to that region between 12 and 16 May. During my visit to Pristina on 14 May I had detailed discussions with the special representative of the UN Secretary General, Michael Steiner, President Rugova, Prime Minister Rexhepi and Kosovo Serb representative Milorad Todorovic. I also met Irish citizens who are making a major contribution to the work of the international organisations and NGOs operating in Kosovo and visited the Irish Army contingent serving with the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

I would like to pay tribute to the work of the UN mission in Kosovo in terms of the establishment of democratic and autonomous self-government, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Progress is being made in the face of considerable difficulty. The process of transferring powers to the provisional institutions of self-government is under way. The immediate priorities for the international community in Kosovo have to be the building of local administrative structures, the fight against organised crime, the development of sustainable economic structures, at a time when the official unemployment rate in Kosovo is 56%, and the return of displaced persons, who are primarily members of the minority Serb community.

It is estimated that following the NATO intervention in 1999, most of the Kosovo Albanian population who had been forced to flee their homes returned to Kosovo. However, some 230,000 Kosovo Serbs and Roma left, and the vast majority have not yet returned. I share the concerns of Amnesty International and others at the conditions under which members of minority communities remaining in Kosovo are living and at the urgent need to create the conditions for the return of internally displaced persons to their homes. I have discussed this question with representatives of all concerned parties in Kosovo. The UN mission in Kosovo is working to accelerate the returns process by ensuring that all displaced persons can make a genuine choice for their future. It is important that returnees have complete and fair access to all public services, are guaranteed freedom of movement, access to their property and access to employment without discrimination.

The only viable future for Kosovo lies in eventual integration into broader European structures. This process will take time and will only succeed if it is possible to build a society in which the rights of all the people of Kosovo, of whatever ethnic background, are guaranteed. This is essential for the minority communities, for the majority community and for the stability of the whole Balkan region. In my discussions in Kosovo, I urged all parties as a first step to make the necessary compromises in the weeks and months ahead to enable the opening of a practical dialogue between leaders in Pristina and Belgrade on everyday matters of mutual concern. I recognise that a decision to open such a dialogue poses major difficulties for both sides. However, I am convinced that it would be a vital contribution to the creation of the conditions under which all of the people of Kosovo could begin to have confidence in a future based on European standards, economic development and respect for human rights and the rule of law.