America is the strongest support of the War Crimes Tribunal. and it is essential for us to provide provide the additional resources the tribunal needs without delay to ensure that those responsible for the gross violations of international law in Kosovo are brought to justice. I also strongly support the work of the State Departments Human Rights and Democracy Fund. The HRDFs ability to respond quickly to emergencies has enabled the Department to begin documenting mass executions. rape. deportations. and torture. Unfortunately. its resources are stretched thin as a result of the large scale of these atrocities. the additional funds recommended by Congress for the HRDF will enable the State Department to enhance its ability to obtain information promptly and methodically from fleeing refugee victims and witnesses and provide the information to the U.S. Government. the War Crimes Tribunal. and the public to ensure that those responsible for these atrocities will be held accountable. The funds will also enable the State Department to provide documents to refugees whose passports. identity papers. and property titles were stripped from them when Serb forces compelled them to leave Kosovo. Doing so will help counter President Milosevics cynical policy of "identity cleansing" and facilitate the return of the refugees to their homes. The funds are also intended to enhance our governments efforts to ensure that victims receive proper counseling for the unconscionable trauma they have suffered. I commend the conferees for making these additional resources available to achieve an effective human rights response on Kosovo.
Keywords matched
refugees refugee deportations