IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________ALERT UPDATE - FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
8 October 1999Resurgence of hate speech in Kosovo
SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris
**Updates IFEX alerts of 23 September, 9 August, 18 and 16 June, 29 and 26 April, 26, 25, 23 and 22 March 1999**
(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to the United Nations mission chief in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, RSF has expressed its concern about the threats against two Kosovar journalists, Veton Surroi and Baton Haxhiu. The organisation demanded that the international community's representatives pay close attention to this matter. "The statements of Kosova-press, a pseudo press agency controlled by the Kosovo Liberation Army, constitute a real danger for these two journalists' safety and go so far as to be described as 'hate speech'," stated Robert Ménard, the organisation's secretary-general.
According to the information obtained by RSF, on 2 October 1999, Surroi and Haxhiu, director and editor-in-chief, respectively, of the daily "Koha Ditore", were accused of being "paid spies of the Milosevic regime" in an article distributed by Kosova-press, official press agency of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK). The article, signed by Merxhan Avdyli, also stated that "persons such as Veton Surroi and Baton Haxhiu do not belong in a free Kosovo. We would not be surprised if they were to become victims of reprisal attacks. It would be perfectly understandable. The criminal acts of these two mafioso must not remain unpunished, especially considering that their idiotic behaviour only benefits Slobodan Milosevic," concluded the article.
"Koha Ditore", reknown over recent years for its moderate stance and respect for human rights in Kosovo, is the main Albanian-language daily in the province. As such, the newspaper has been the target of attacks by Serbian authorities on a number of occasions: astronomical fines, printing and distribution difficulties. The newspaper's offices were attacked and its printing press was burned down after the launch of NATO air raids against Yugoslavia. Having been the target of death threats, "Koha Ditore" journalists fled to Macedonia, where they relaunched their newspaper for Kosovo refugees. Only Surroi stayed in Pristina, risking his life, changing residences on a number of occasions for fear of being discovered by Serbian authorities.
Since the arrival of the United Nations Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops in the province in early June, "Koha Ditore" has been the only Albanian-language media to express concern about the province's Serbian community, which has also been threatened with reprisal attacks. Surroi notably wrote an article which was published in late August in "Koha Ditore", and was widely republished in the international press, titled "Fascism in Kosovo: the shame of Albanians". The article denounced the recent crimes committed by Albanians against Serbs. "After having been the victims of the worst persecution of the end of the century in Europe, we are ourselves becoming persecutors and we have allowed the spectre of fascism to reappear," he wrote. He concluded that: "Those who believe that violence will end when the last Serb has been chased out are mistaken. The violence will simply be directed against other Albanians."
For further information, contact Alexandre Lévy or Ludovic Brun at RSF, 5, rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: europe@rsf.fr, Internet: http://www.rsf.fr
The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of RSF. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
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