(Geneva, April 15, 1999)—In a statement delivered today at the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch called for immediate action to assist Kosovar refugees and establish conditions suitable for their peaceful return home.
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"Fifty years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its promise of the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution
rings hollow. The Serb authorities have forced fleeing refugees back to uncertain fate in Kosovo. At the same time, Macedonia has repeatedly closed its border to refugees. And the countries offering protection outside of the region promise only the uncertainty and insecurity of temporary protection."
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Joanna Weschler.
Human Rights Watch's
United Nations Representative
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Human Rights Watch's United Nations Representative Joanna Weschler delivered the statement pressing the Commission to resolve that Kosovo's fleeing refugees would enjoy full asylum rights. "Fifty years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its promise of the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution rings hollow," stated Weschler. "The Serb authorities have forced fleeing refugees back to uncertain fate in Kosovo. At the same time, Macedonia has repeatedly closed its border to refugees. And the countries offering protection outside of the region promise only the uncertainty and insecurity of temporary protection."
Human Rights Watch also urged the international community to hold the architects of Kosovo's ethnic cleansing accountable and to take steps to assure all refugees the right to return under conditions ensuring their safety and full enjoyment of basic human rights.
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