Human Rights Violations against Non-albanian Kosovars

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Ministry of Education
Republic of Serbia

Minister Jovo Todorovic

Nemanjina 22-26
11 000 Beograd

Belgrade, July 30, 1999

Dear Minister,

We were astonished to receive the testimonies of parents who recently fled with their children from Kosovo, from violence that put their lives and property at risk every day. In addition to atrocities and lack of understanding they experienced both in their hometowns in Kosovo and on the road to Serbia, including the cities they temporarily settled in, they are also faced with the decision of your Ministry preventing their children from attending schools in the cities they fled to. This relates to elementary and high school students, but also to future university students at all levels of study.

Not only has this decision worsened their desperate situation, but it is directly against the Constitution of the FRY which Article 62 states that "education is available to all, under equal conditions"; Article 20 claims that "all citizens are equal regardless of nationality, race, gender, language, religion, political or other beliefs, education, social status, wealth or other personal traits". We particularly stress that elementary education is mandatory and parents could be held criminally responsible if they fail to send their children to elementary schools. Your illegal decision is directly in contrast with your public statements for "investing in younger generations who are the future of Serbia". Also, this decision is contrary to all relevant international acts for the protection of children and human rights, ratified by the Ministry of Education you represent.

Yugoslav Action
Nongovernmental Organizations and UGS "Nezavisnost"

    1.Alternative Academic Network (AAOM)
    2.Astra Rumuna - Kustilj
    3.Belgrade Circle
    4.Belgrade Women's Lobby
    5.Center for Policy Studies
    6.Center for Contemporary Art "Konkordija"
    7. Center for free Elections and Democracy (CESID)
    8.Center for Transition to Democracy (ToD)
    9.Center for Women Studies - Beograd
   10.Children's Humanitarian Fund
   11.Democratic Movement for Pancevo
   12.Distrikt 0230 - Kikinda
   13.Society of Good Action Nis
   14.Society for the Truth about the National Liberation War 1941-45
   15.Society for Cooperation with Neighboring Nations
   16.Society for Tolerance Backa Palanka
   17.EKO Center
   18.EKO Sumadija - Kragujevac
   19.Ethnic Forum - Subotica
   20.European Movement in Serbia
   21.FEDRA - Zrenjanin
   22.Foundation for Peace and Conflict Solving
   23.Forum for Ethnic Relations
   24.FOSCODE- NVO Glasnik
   25.Civic Initiatives
   26.Civic Forum - Novi Pazar
   27.Civic Resistance Movement - Nis
   28.Group 484
   29.Humanitarian Organization SVARUN
   30.Yugoslav Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights
   31.Coordination 'Living Together'
   32.Peace Action - Subotica
   33.Council for the Environment - Pancevo
   34.Council for Humanitrian Activities - Pancevo
   35.Council for Human Rights Leskovac
   36.Weekly "Odgovor"
   37.New Balkan Initiatives
   38.Movement from the Margin - Kraljevo
   39.Movement for Peace Pancevo
   40.PostPesimists Belgrade
   41.Womens' Safe Houses
   42.Sombor Peace Group
   43.SOS Telephone for Women and Children Victims of Abuse
   44.Student Cultural Center - Cetinje
   45.Student Union of Yugoslavia
   46.Agora, Subotica
   47.TRAG - Nis
   48.Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to
        Trade Unions
   49.Associtation of Private Small and Medium Size Businesses and
        Enterpreneurs - Vrsac
   50.UGS "Nezavisnost"
   51.Urban Workshop - Vrsac
   52.URBAN IN - Novi Pazar
   53.VIN (Video weekly)
   54.Women in Black Against the War
   55.Women Civic Initiatives  - Kraljevo
   56.XXL Creative Youth Group

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