United Nations And The Former Yugoslavia

EDM number 2116 in 1992-93, proposed by Harry Barnes on 08/06/1993.

That this House believes that the ultimate aim in the former Yugoslavia should be to establish multi-ethnic, democratic societies, with full minority rights and mutual respect for differing cultural traditions; proposes that the UN should take the lead in providing greater humanitarian assistance and adequate defensive forces within Bosnia-Herzegovina, wherever local populations call for help in besieged areas, irrespective of the ethnic background of the threatened peoples; notes that no-fly zones can assist the UN to establish properly defended safe havens, where people would be allowed to live in decent conditions; believes that the most acceptable and effective way to end the military reinforcement of the warring parties is by UN forces sealing the borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina for all military goods and services; recognises that potentially significant, non-sectarian forces for peace and democracy exist within the former Yugoslavia; believes they should be listened to and assisted; urges moves towards establishing a UN Transitional Authority for Bosnia-Herzegovina to help create the time and space for people to work for peace and reconciliation; and believes that this is the most telling way to undermine and overcome the dominance of ethnic nationalism and of the paramilitaries responsible for ethnic cleansing, mass rape, genocide, economic deprivation and communal despair.

This motion has been signed by a total of 26 MPs.