SERBIAN ORTHODOX DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN
DECLARATION ON PEACE AND TOLERANCE
IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
Dear Sir or Madam:
My name is Anna Miner and I'm the Systems Coordinator
of the World Conference on Religion and Peace. I would like to alert
you to a small correction needed on your website: you have the name of
the organization as World COUNCIL on Religion and Peace. The correct name
is World CONFERENCE on Religion and Peace.
Thank you for you assistance.
Sincerely,
Anna Miner
World Conference on Religion and Peace
777 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212. 687.2163
Fax: 212.983.0566
E-mail: aminer@wcrp.org <mailto:aminer@wcrp.org>
URL: www.wcrp.org <http://www.wcrp.org>
PRESS STATEMENT
Representatives appointed by the leaders of the three main religious communities in Kosovo (Islamic Community, Serbian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church) held a joint meeting in Pristina on Tuesday, 2 March 1999. The meeting was convened by the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) based on a request from the religious communities to facilitate direct contact and dialogue among them.
The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of sincere mutual respect between the religious communities and with a sense of common concern for the current situation. The discussion was open, honest, and respectful of the different perspectives held by each community.
Despite the difficulties and uncertainties they currently face, the participants expressed their gratitude at having the opportunity to meet face to face and discuss common concerns and they expressed hope that by holding such meetings and making common statements they could reduce the tensions in Kosovo. They agreed that the situation in Kosovo is abnormal and that something must be done as soon as possible to stop the violence, which is causing tremendous suffering for all people in Kosovo.
As representatives of religious communities they stressed that each of their traditions holds the human being as the most valued part of God’s creation and that together they must protect the rights of all persons regardless of their religious or national identity. All people have a right to live in Kosovo – it does not belong only to one group or another.
They expressed their opposition to the misuse of religion for political reasons on all sides, and called on all parties not to use religious symbols to promote violence or intolerance between peoples. They stressed that the religious communities must seek common ground for the sake of the people, and they called for support for the peace process so that peaceful solutions can be found to resolve this current crisis.
The participants are determined to maintain direct contacts between the religious communities, to build channels of communication, and to hold follow up meetings. Only in this way can they overcome the prejudice that has developed during this time of separation between communities in Kosovo. They thanked WCRP for its initiative in this difficult time and for its willingness to facilitate this joint meeting. They, along with their leaders, look forward to meeting again at an international conference in Vienna in two weeks time.
END
--------------------------
Remark:
The Serbian Orthodox Church (Diocese of Raska and Prizren) was represented by Fr. Sava, Bishop's Secretary on this meeting. Here is the text of theOrthodox Declaration On Peace and Tolerance in Kosovo and Metohija signed by Bishop Artemije. This Declaration is the platform for our work in the field of building confidence, peace and tolerance in Kosovo and Metohija and it was presented to representatives of other communities as a proposal for a joint declaration. On this meeting the issues of confession and religious doctrines were not addressed nor discussed. Our further activity will be continued within the scope of human and civic aspects of the Kosovo crisis and will not enter into the area of ecumenical activity.
Fr. Sava
-------------------------
SERBIAN ORTHODOX DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN
D E C L A R A T I O N ON PEACE AND TOLERANCE IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
About the peaceful settlement of the difficult situation in Kosovo and Metohija
1. We express our deepest concern because of the general deterioration of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, especially because of the recurrent armed conflicts in which mostly innocent civilian population is suffering. Therefore, we urgently appeal on the authorised representatives of the Serb and Albanian people to do all they can to stop any kind of violence and that all conflicts and problems are resolved peacefully in the process of unconditional dialogue.
2. We also feel great regret and sympathy for numerous refugees, abducted and arrested persons and all those who lost their homes and personal property. The value of the human life as well as the respect of the basic human rights and personal property should be an imperative obligation of all who live in the contemporary civilized world.
3. We call all authorised representatives to help in resolving of the extreemely difficult humanitarian situation, that normal travelling and supply of food, medicines and other neccessities is normalized. We think that the return of all refugees as well as the repair of their damaged houses and property should be realised and faciliated as soon as possible. We also appeal that international humanitarian organizations are given opportunity to visit freely all who suffer, especially arrested and abducted persons and administer their humanitarian aid to them.
4. We firmly condemn all cases of looting of the personal and state property, especially destroying of family homes which are being burned either with intention to prevent the return of the refugees or out of revenge and barbarism. The treasure of Kosovo and Metohija is reflected in the rich mosaic of its cultural and ethnic varieties and today, at the treshold of the 21th century, it is any use of violence, especially against unarmed civilian population is totally inacceptable.
5. We express our sincerest regret because of the damage inflicted upon religious monuments. We make an appeal that all religious monuments: churches, mosques, cemetaries, and all other buildings of historic and cultural importance are adequately protected and preserved from destruction. Destroying of the rich cultural and historic heritage which makes this part of the Balkans unique and world known is absolutely unacceptable and deserves outright condemnation of the entire civilized world. We also appeal that believers of all three confessions are allowd to visit freely their shrines and perform their religious rites. We call all the authorised representatives to allow priests, imams and monastics to perform their religious and humanitarian duties freely.
6. Religious facilities and institutions must remain oases of peace and tolerance and any kind of violence against them must be prevented. These facilities and institutions must not be used for non-religious and non-humanitarian purposes. We appeal on members of all three confessions, especially the clergy to take an active part in humanitarian action on behalf of the warstricken population, no matter to which national community or religion they belong. All refugees and civilians who find refuge in religious objects, especially women, children and elderly people must be granted full security.
7. We respect the right of every person to have his or her own political, national and religious beliefs but at the same time we call all citizens of Kosovo and Metohija to express their positions in peaceful and civilized way and show at least the minimum of tolerance for those who disagree with their positions.
8. We also condemn any use of violence for political goals. We think that all existing problems in this region can and must be resolved in a peaceful and democratic way with full respect of the human rights of any group or individual.
9. The final political solution must be reached by dialog among the authorised representatives of the peoples who live in this territory. In order to achieve a successful dialogue it is absolutely neccessary that violence and repression are stopped beforehand. No matter what is the final result of these negotioations all peaceful citizens of Kosovo and Metohija must be granted collective and personal security and unalienable right to stay in their centuries old dwellings with the full respect of their human rights.
10. We call all citizens of Kosovo and Metohija to refrain from any use of violence against their neighbours and work on building confidence meassures among the members of all national communities and confessions. Despite the existing language, historic, cultural and religious differences between the various groups in Kosovo and Metohija, the common interest of all citizens is the peaceful and dignified life as well their right on personal security and protection of their property.
11. Especially we appeal that existing educational problems are resolved as soon as possible. The youngest must be granted all conditions for modern education which is an unalienable right of any human being. We appeal that schools support and inspire tolerance and peaceful life and condemn use of education for political goals with intention of spreading inter-ethnic hatred and revenge.
12. We resolutely disagree with any kind of religious and ethnic discrimination as well as the human rights violations and repression. We support the idea of peaceful joint life of all citizens in mutual respect and tolerance. This is where lies the future, not only of this region but also of the Balkans and the civilized world.
13. As highest representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija we feel that it is our duty and obligation to make all possible personal efforts and use our authority among our congregation that above mentioned principles are duly observed and realized as soon as possible. We firmly believe that in this way we can make an important contribution which will help that further violence is prevented and a peaceful democratic solution of the Kosovo and Metohija problem is found.
BISHOP ARTEMIJE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN
END
--
Decani Monastery
tel +381 390 61543
38322 Decani, Serbia
fax +381 390 61567
http://www.decani.yunet.com
e-mail: decani@EUnet.yu
http://www.decani.yunet.com/kip.html
senden