Nedzad Hasic, Ahmo Harbasa and Behudin Husic

HL Deb 26 January 1999 vol 596 cc145-6WA

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps, with other member states of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to secure the release of Nedzad Hasic, Ahmo Harbasa and Behudin Husic, survivors from Srebrenica who are now serving long jail sentences in the Republic of Serbia following their conviction by the court in Bijeljina in a process regarded as unjust by the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [HL433]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Her Majesty's Government fully support the efforts of the High Representative and the OSCE in upholding the civil rights of these three prisoners. The Republic of Serbia Government is well aware of the international community's concerns. Robert Barry (OSCE Head of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina) has pressed the President of the Republic of Serbia Supreme Court to conduct appeal hearings at the earliest opportunity. We continue to monitor the situation.