“Serbia is going through a transitional period, striving to overcome the legacy of the violent past, and to enhance social cohesion. More sustained and concerted efforts are necessary to redress the gross human rights violations of the war, eliminate discrimination and enhance media freedom” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg concluding today his four-day visit to the country.

The Commissioner noted that ethnic depolarisation and reconciliation in the region cannot be achieved without justice for all war victims with no distinctions between them. He emphasised the need to resolve the pending cases of missing persons and to effectively prosecute all war-related crimes. Both issues require reinforced regional, inter-state co-operation to which Serbia subscribes.