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Recommendation 1954 (2011) Final version
Reconciliation and political dialogue between the countries of the former Yugoslavia
1. Referring to its Resolution 1786
(2011) on reconciliation and political dialogue between the countries
of the former Yugoslavia, the Parliamentary Assembly is of the view
that the goal of full reconciliation between these countries is
closely intertwined with the successful resolution of a number of
pending issues which still jeopardise efforts for stabilisation
in the region, notably missing persons, prosecution for war crimes,
refugees and internally displaced persons, and border disputes.
2. The Assembly also believes that it is critical to promote
and support apublic discourse
about the war that departs from nationalist rhetoric, in particular
in the education of the younger generations.
3. The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers:
3.1. strongly urge all member states
of the Council of Europe to continue to provide financial assistance
to turn existing action plans aimed at finding a durable solution
for refugees and internally displaced persons into concrete action;
3.2. provide all necessary assistance to and support for the
work carried out by the Council of Europe schools of political studies,
especially in Belgrade, Pristina and Sarajevo, in engaging political
and other elites in dialogue and intensifying efforts in the region
with a view to fostering co-operation on all outstanding issues
and strengthening the multi-ethnic character of these circles;
3.3. foster cultural change by supporting the work carried
out by local actors, researchers and NGOs aimed at developing a
more pluralistic and shared view of past and recent events, and
consider the possibility of organising a round table with recognised
historians from the region around some key dates in history;
3.4. continue to support the relevant work done by the Council
of Europe in conflict and post-conflict regions on the revision
and development of textbooks and teacher manuals, the organisation
of teacher seminars and source material identification, and consider
expanding such activities to other areas;
3.5. encourage the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia
and Serbia to actively support the establishment of a regional truth
and reconciliation commission;
3.6. ensure full and rapid execution of the judgment of the
European Court of Human Rights in the case of Sejdić
and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina;
3.7. maintain the issue of non-discrimination and protection
of national minorities on the agenda, especially when it reviews
the honouring of obligations and co-operation activities with the
Council of Europe of all the countries of the former Yugoslavia
concerned by the present report.