Programme of Action on Humanitarian Issues agreed between the Co-Charimen to the Conference and the Parties to the Conflict, International Conference on Yugoslavia (The London Conference)

• Country/entity

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Yugoslavia (former)
  
• Region

  Europe and Eurasia
  Europe and Eurasia
  
• Agreement name

  Programme of Action on Humanitarian Issues agreed between the Co-Charimen to the Conference and the Parties to the Conflict, International Conference on Yugoslavia (The London Conference)
• Date

  27 Aug 1992
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) ( Balkan Conflicts (1991 - 1995) (1998 - 2001) )
• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Bosnia peace process
• Parties

  Radovan Karadzic; Alija Izetbegovic; Mate Boban
• Third parties

  UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was the co-chairman of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia
• Description

  -

• Agreement document

  BA_920827_Programme of Action on Humanitarian Issues.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

The London Conference

27 August 1992

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:

PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES AGREED BETWEEN THE CO-CHAIRMEN TO THE CONFERENCE AND THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT

Recognising that an effective humanitarian response with the full collaboration of the parties to the conflict would greatly contribute to efforts to find an overall political solution and bring an end to hostilities.

The Co-Chairmen of the Conference, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the

parties to the Conflict in Bosnia have agreed the following Programme of Action:

1. The parties to the conflict commit themselves to full collaboration in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian relief by road throughout Bosnia- Hercegovina.

2. In order to enhance the development of the system of land convoys to deliver humanitarian assistance on the basis of negotiated safe passage.

The following specific steps will be undertaken:

a. Priority will be given to repairing the road and railway between Ploce, Mostar and Sarajevo.

b. The parties to the conflict will no later than 3 September identify to UNHCR reoresentatives at Sarajevo (or at Belgrade, Split or Zagreb as appropriate) designated representatives of the local authorities (at the military police and political level) at all relevant locations with whom the practical arrangements for the expansion of the forthcoming relief missions and road convoys for the benefit for all victims in need will be made.

c. UN and UNHCR representatives will meet regularly with designated representatives of the parties to make arrangements for forthcoming relief missions and road convoys from Croatia and from Serbia and from Montenegro to Sarajevo and also to Banja Luka, Bihac, Bileca, Duboj, Foca, Gorazde, Mostar, Tuzla, Vitec, and Vlasenica.

This pattern will be extended to all areas within Bosnia-Hercegovina where humanitarian

assistance is required.

d. It was recognised that in addressing the acute problem of the unlawful detention of civilians and the deplorable conditions in which they were held.

The primary objective to secure their release and return to their homes.

If not immediately feasible, they identified the following possible

options in the light of the wishes of those detained and in keeping with the provisions set out at para 3 below.

repatriation to areas under the control of their respective ethnic authorities;

choosing to stay temporarily in the area of detention;

relocation in areas away from the conflict under

international supervision;

temporary refuge in third countries.

e. The international humanitarian agencies will explore urgently with the parties all possible ways to secure the safe release of those detained.

f . In the meantime, the parties undertook to ensure that arrangements are made to ensure that those in detention are cared for and protected, until such time as their safe release is feasible, and accepted that the international community will wonitor the situation closely to ensure that

the security and well being of those held in detention is assured .

To this end, they undertook to give free access to representatives of the international community including the UN, ICRC, EC and CSCE.

g. In light of the need for the immediate evacuation of critical medical cases under ICRC supevision, the parties agreed to arrange security guarantees to permit the use of Banja Luka airport for this purpose.

The evacuation would take solace with the shortest delay.

The parties undertook to identify the names of local commanders/ authorities who would

make the arrangements with the ICRC delegate.

In close coordination with the UN, and who would be individually responsible for the safe passage and security of those to be evacuated.

3. In carrying out the Programme of Action, the parties to the conflict undertook to abide by the following provisions:

i) all parties to the conflict are bound to comply with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto, and that persons who commit or order the commission of grave breaches are individually responsible.

ii) all the parties to the conflict have the responsibility to exercise full authority over undisciplined elements within their areas so as to avoid anarchy, breaches of international humanitari an law and human rights abuse.

iii) that refugees and displaced persons should be allowed to return voluntarily and safely to their places of origin.

iv) all practices involving forcible displacement, all forms of harassment, humiliation or intimidation.

Confiscation and destruction of property and all acts involved in the practice of ethnic cleansing ar abhorrent and should cease forthwith.

v) there should be unconditional and unilateral release under international supervision of all civilians currently detained;

vi) that the parties to the conflict are responsible for the provision of security and protection for those currently detained until they can be freed under international supervision;

vii) that all such action should be in accordance with the agreement with the parties reached in Geneva on 22 May under auspices of the I:

CRC;

viii) that the provision of humanitarian assistance should be carried out impartially and on a non-political basis for the benefit of all those affected by the conflict.

The representatives of the co-Chairmen also noted the following points made by the parties:

a. that humanitarian assistance should be carried out impartially to the benefit of all those in need.

b. that no party can be expected to give guarantees of security on behalf of the other parties to the conflict.

c. that in granting safe access to the international humanitarian organisations there would be a clear understanding that no party would gain military advantage.

THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:

PROGRAMME OF ACTION ON HUMANITARIAN ISSUES AGREED BETWEEN THE CO-CHAIRMEN TO THE CONFERENCE ANO THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT

[Text identical to Programme of Action at 31 I.L.M. 1543 (1992), therefore not reproduced.]

Alia Izetbegovic

Mate Boban