A/51/536
English
Page 29
In his recommendations, the Special Rapporteur stressed the need for the
consolidation of democratic institutions in order to eradicate impunity, the
strengthening of civil society and the promotion and enjoyment of human rights.
Additional details about the situation in Burundi are contained in the addendum
to his report (E/CN.4/1996/16/Add.1).
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea
115. In his report on the situation in Equatorial Guinea (E/CN.4/1996/67), the
Special Rapporteur, Mr. Alejandro Artucio, referred in particular to the
situation of the Bubi ethnic group of the island of Bioko and the inhabitants of
the island of Annobon. He noted the reports of discrimination against those
minority groups on the occasion of his visit. In his recommendations, the
Special Rapporteur stressed the need to combat any form of discrimination based
on ethnic origin and to respect the right to form associations and guarantee the
right to participate in political, social and cultural life. Ethnic diversity,
he concluded, must be considered an additional richness to society.
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the territory of the
former Yugoslavia
116. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the territory of
the former Yugoslavia, Ms. Elisabeth Rehn, in her report (E/CN.4/1996/63),
continued to provide information on the promotion and protection of the rights
of persons belonging to minorities.
117. The Special Rapporteur reported that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, local
authorities appeared to have failed to create conditions which might have
persuaded citizens of one nationality to remain in areas to be controlled by
authorities of another, and there were many reports of discrimination against
persons of different nationalities, especially non-Bosnians, in access to
housing, employment, education and medical services. In addition, the
proportion of members of local minority groups with high positions in both
Bosnian and Bosnian Croat-controlled institutions was far lower than might be
expected considering the size of local population groups. Of particular concern
to the Rapporteur had been the use of the media by all three sides to advocate
perspectives exclusively favouring one nationality at the expense of others.
The Special Rapporteur recommended that the sharing of communities between
Bosnians of different nationalities must be encouraged.
118. In respect of the situation in Croatia, the Special Rapporteur expressed
concern regarding the treatment of Serbs remaining in Croatia, especially with
reference to the suspension of articles of the Constitutional Law on Human
Rights and Freedoms and the Rights of National and Ethnic Communities or
Minorities. Although the Government had taken the position that article 15 of
the Croatian Constitution guaranteed the protection of minorities in Croatia,
the suspended special constitutional provisions contained many more specific
provisions for the protection of minority Serbs.
119. With regard to the region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium,
the Special Rapporteur recommended that the Croatian authorities should cease
forcible and illegal evictions and take appropriate measures to combat
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