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18 May 2000
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18 May 2000
STATEMENT BY MR. JIRI DIENSTBIER,
UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA AND
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
Yesterday's raids in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on "Studio B" television, Radio "B2 92", Radio "Index" and the daily "Blic", as well as on the TV station in Mladenovac, can only be regarded as yet more serious violations of the basic right of freedom of expression.
I have followed, with growing concern, the recent developments in Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The renewed suppression of media, harassment of members of opposition parties, continuing persecution of members of the "Resistance Movement" ("Otpor"), are all alarming signs that authorities in Serbia have determined to take sweeping measures that violate freedom of expression, freedom of association and basic human rights which are guaranteed by Federal and Serbian law.
I was deeply distressed by news of the tragic death of Mr. Bosko Perosevic, the late president of the Executive Council of Vojvodina, whom I had known and respected. I am, however, disturbed that this public and personal tragedy is being misused for political gain. As Mr. Perosevic himself told me, Vojvodina is made up of 27 national communities with different political views, living together in peace, mutual respect and co-operation. Language which divides the people of Vojvodina, or Serbia, or the FRY, into "patriots" and "traitors" spreads fear and promotes hatred.
It is also time to re-evaluate the policy of the international community. Only the opening-up of the country, and ending sanctions, as a gesture to all in Yugoslavia who fight for democracy and peaceful development, no matter if they hold official positions, are members of the opposition or of civic society, can help in pacifying tensions and preparing the conditions for political transformation which will be essential for the respect for human rights. The present actions of the Government only offer arguments to those both in Yugoslavia and abroad who wish to keep the country isolated.
Once again, I appeal to the authorities to abandon the policy of persecution and brutal harassment of journalists and political opponents, which can only result in further isolation of Serbia and may bring about a new bloody chapter in the history of the violent dissolution of former Yugoslavia.
Stop before it is too late.
Jiri Dienstbier
Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
STATEMENT BY MR. JIRI DIENSTBIER,
UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA AND
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
Yesterday's raids in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on "Studio B" television, Radio "B2 92", Radio "Index" and the daily "Blic", as well as on the TV station in Mladenovac, can only be regarded as yet more serious violations of the basic right of freedom of expression.
I have followed, with growing concern, the recent developments in Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The renewed suppression of media, harassment of members of opposition parties, continuing persecution of members of the "Resistance Movement" ("Otpor"), are all alarming signs that authorities in Serbia have determined to take sweeping measures that violate freedom of expression, freedom of association and basic human rights which are guaranteed by Federal and Serbian law.
I was deeply distressed by news of the tragic death of Mr. Bosko Perosevic, the late president of the Executive Council of Vojvodina, whom I had known and respected. I am, however, disturbed that this public and personal tragedy is being misused for political gain. As Mr. Perosevic himself told me, Vojvodina is made up of 27 national communities with different political views, living together in peace, mutual respect and co-operation. Language which divides the people of Vojvodina, or Serbia, or the FRY, into "patriots" and "traitors" spreads fear and promotes hatred.
It is also time to re-evaluate the policy of the international community. Only the opening-up of the country, and ending sanctions, as a gesture to all in Yugoslavia who fight for democracy and peaceful development, no matter if they hold official positions, are members of the opposition or of civic society, can help in pacifying tensions and preparing the conditions for political transformation which will be essential for the respect for human rights. The present actions of the Government only offer arguments to those both in Yugoslavia and abroad who wish to keep the country isolated.
Once again, I appeal to the authorities to abandon the policy of persecution and brutal harassment of journalists and political opponents, which can only result in further isolation of Serbia and may bring about a new bloody chapter in the history of the violent dissolution of former Yugoslavia.
Stop before it is too late.
Jiri Dienstbier
Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation in
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia and
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia