Kosova Communication 255

From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)

Kosovo News Directory

Kosova Communication

Bulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova

5th year; No. 255 , 11 march 1996

CONTENTS

[01] Rugova meets Berisha

[02] EU on recognition of Serbia

[03] Smith Urges USIA to establish Kosova Office

[04] Recognition of Serbia and Montenegro should be conditioned with Kosova

[05] Albanian rights abused

The report states that the United States and the international community does not recognise Serbia-Montenegro as the successor state to the former Yugoslavia and does not permit the participation of the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" (FRY) from participation in the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and other international organisations.

The report condemns killings, torture and ill-treatment of Albanians as well as arbitrary arrests, searches etc. The report also denounces violence on Albanian religious Catholic and Muslim institutions and building of orthodox churches on pure Albanian settlements. The report condemns the attempts of the Serbian authorities to settle Serbian refugees in Kosova and forcing Albanians to emigrate.

[06] Amnesty International on ill-treatment of a student

Amnesty states that at least one of the officers remains in active service and he is now threatening Rashiti family, demanding that they withdraw charges against him. Amnesty also reports that police officers in the former Yugoslavia are rarely convicted, or indeed prosecuted, for serious human rights abuses. In most cases charges are never brought, or criminal proceedings are unduly prolonged.

Amnesty International calls for the protection of Mr. Sejdullah Rashiti and his family from further ill-treatment and suspension of the officer from the duty.

[07] A PLK delegation in London

The PLK representatives informed Mr. Johnston about difficult situation of the Albanians in Kosova and stated the importance of finding a just solution for the issue of Kosova according to the will of its people, based on the referendum on independence and self-determination of the Albanian nation. They stated that presence of the international community, and specially Great Britain, in Kosova would increase chances for stability in the region. They also said that the rump Yugoslavia should not be recognised by the international community without a just solution of the issue of Kosova.

Sir Russell Johnston expressed his concern about the situation in Kosova, affirming that British Liberal Democrats respected the right to self-determination of the Albanians in Kosova and promised that he would do his utmost in the European Council to block recognition of the rump Yugoslavia before a just solution for the issue of Kosova is found.

[08] 'Doctors of the World' to fight tuberculosis in Kosova

In the next nine months "Doctors of the World" will distribute as many as 90 thousand food and hygiene packages to the families affected in any way by tuberculosis. According to the records of the "Doctors of the World" 2,000 persons in Kosova suffer from acute tuberculosis. Distribution of food and hygiene packages aims to raise the living standard of the aptients and their families and to prevent thespread of tuberculosis.

[09] Albanian Journalist Faces Serbian Trial

In yesterdays hearing Mr. Rexhepi said he reported only the truth, namely the position of an Albanian youth association which stood for refusal to be drafted into the former Yugoslav Army (JNA). His lawyer, Fazli Balaj, said his client, as well as many Albanian journalists, has been brought before the Serbian justice system merely because of having told the truth. He said the charges were unfounded, and requested the unconditional release of his client.

[10] Five Returnee Kosova Albanians held hostage at Belgrade Airport,

Mr. Hysni Bytyqi, a lawer, told radio Voice of America that the detained Albanianss had been treated badly, with insufficient food and were sleeping on the airport seats. The Serbian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, in a statement issued Wednesday, denounced the conduct of the Serbian police, noting that Albanians (suspected of having earlier applied for political asylum abroad) have been targeted regularly. The Serbian Helsinki Committee says that authorities are asking Albanians that they produce additional certificates, issued by the Serbian authorities or their embassies abroad, proving that their passports were valid.

Such moves by the Serbian police and authorities are illegal and discriminatory towards Albanians, and carry elements of ethnic cleansing, concluded the Serbian Helsinki Committee.

[11] Albanian Charge DAffairs in Belgrade Visits Presheva

Mr. Konci met Mr. Riza Halimi, president of the Party for Democratic Action and president of the Presheva Communal Council who informed him about the situation in Presheva, Bujanovc and Medvegja which described as very difficult with tendencies of deteriorating further. He also pointed out the repressive campaign undertaken by the Serbian regime against political activists in Bujanovc and against the communal leadership in Presheva where Albanian political parties run the local government.

[12] News in Brief

Shkup, 26 Feb. - The Macedonian Republican Court Council propsed recentlu to the Parliament a list of judges for Courts of Appeals. Of the 88 proposed judges, only 5 are Albanian.

Prishtina, 1 March - Serbian police sealed off all the roads leading in and out of Suhareka on 27th of February and seized considerable ammount of goods from Albanian traders.

Ferizaj, 6 March - Ali Sadriu, president of the Communal Government in Shtime was tortured severely while under police interogation. After two hours in the police station, he was released on the condition that he would report again at the police station. He was initally questioned about his political activities and about the alleged parallel police forces. During his ordeal, Mr. Sadriu had lost consciousness twice. He received injuries all over his body and there are fears that his kidneys were damaged.

Mitrovice, 7 March - Around 5 oclock in the morning, more than 20 policemen and three civilians searched the house of Gani R. Voca in the avenue of Tavnik in Mitrovica. The police also looked for Ganis brother, Ahmet Voca, a former employee of the Kosova Secretariat of Internal Affairs. After the search, police took hostage Shyqri Voca who would be kept until Ahmet Voca reported to the police station. This police unit was lead by Dejan Savic. It is reported that memebers of the family were insulted on national basis.

Prishtina, 7 March - Serbian police together with Health and Market Inspectors undertook a campaign of punishming owners of private cafes claiming that they were employing people without contracts. According to Serbian press, 26 cafes were closed down whereas their owners were fined 10,000 dinars each. Charges were also brought againsts 25 owners.

Prishtina, 5 March - A delegation of the Independent Students Trade Union of the Prishtina University participated in Balkan conference in Istanbul. The presentation of the Kosova delegation dealt with the existence of the Prishtina University in the period between 1991 and 1995.