This memorandum, submitted by Human Rights Watch in advance of the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s (“the Committee”) review of Croatia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (“the Covenant”), addresses several areas of concern raised by the Committee in its List of Issues to be Taken up in Conjunction with the Consideration of the Second Periodic Report of Croatia (“List of Issues”).

In the context of the ongoing debates about the progress of Croatia’s EU negotiations, Human Rights Watch is writing to urge you to adopt GAERC conclusions emphasizing the importance of Zagreb’s full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The European Union should send a signal to Croatian authorities that they should continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, including by handing over key documents.

The European Commission’s decision to move ahead with an association agreement with Serbia despite Belgrade’s failure to arrest a key suspect could threaten efforts to bring war criminals to justice, Human Rights Watch said today.

Serbia’s War Crimes Chamber has made significant progress in domestic prosecutions since its establishment in 2003, but the Serbian government must increase its support for the chamber if it is to end impunity for war crimes in Serbia, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today.

Serb refugees returning to Croatia face significant obstacles to the full enjoyment of their human rights, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Croatia is a candidate for European Union membership, and respect for minority rights is a requirement.

The criminal justice system continues to fail victims in Kosovo, despite almost seven years of international administration, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Kosovo’s future status is currently the subject of intense negotiations mediated by the international community.

After 10 years of allowing suspected war criminals to go free, Bosnia’s Serb Republic is taking its first steps to bring them to justice, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. But sustaining that progress depends on local commitment and international support.