Government had been able to cooperate with the Committee and to submit a report, albeit late, in response to the decision adopted by the Committee on 4 November 1991. However, the report aid not cover the whole period since 30 May 1983, the date of submission of the second periodic report, and did not deal fully enough with the problems encountered by the State party in applying the provisions of the Covenant in practice. The dialogue between the Committee and the representatives of the State party had, to a certain extent, provided additional information on the obstacles to the effective application o£ the Covenant and highlighted certain efforts being made to improve the legal and regulatory framework within which the Covenant was being applied. In that regard, it was noted that a commission had been set up to inquire into allegations of genocide and violation of human rights during the armed conflict. 457. Members regretted that the present crisis prevented the Committee from supervising the application of the Covenant throughout the territory of the State party. With reference to article 1 of the Covenant, they regretted that no procedure had been established under domestic law for implementation of the right to secede recognized in the federal Constitution, which would have enabled the crisis to be settled peacefully. Concern was also expressed about the excessive steps taken under the state of emergency proclaimed in the province of Kosovo to limit the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Covenant. 458. Members expressed their gravest concern with regard to the atrocities committed during the interethnic conflicts and the many violations of human rights protected by the Covenant, especially those referred to in article 4, paragraph 2, of the Covenant. The many reported cases of summary or arbitrary execution, forced or involuntary disappearances, torture, rape and pillage perpetrated by members of the federal army were particularly regretted. Noting that paramilitary groups and the militia had also been guilty of similar abuses, members also expressed regret at the extremely low number of inquiries into these allegations, the failure to take measures to punish those guilty and prevent any recurrence of such acts, which had left those responsible to enjoy effective impunity. Concern was also expressed over conditions in detention centres; the alarming situation of the civilian population, particularly women, children and the elderly, in areas of conflict; the situation of displaced persons; the extent of the restrictions and limitations placed on the exercise of freedom of movement, the right to privacy, freedom of religion, expression, assembly and association and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs; the deterioration in the situation of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, particularly those of Albanian and Hungarian origin; and the situation of population groups which had become de facto minorities as a result of recent interethnic conflicts. 459. The representative of the State party assured the Committee that its comments would be duly conveyed to his Government, which intended to abide by all provisions of the Covenant and to investigate the excesses of all military units. The Government did not deny the right of the nations of Yugoslavia to self-determination and would not oppose its lawful exercise. 460. In concluding the consideration of the third periodic report of Yugoslavia, the Chairman thanked the delegation for having engaged, in a dialogue with the Committee. There was still some doubt as to whether the -110-