Open hCa Letter to Kosova Press
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 10:43:54 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Open hCa Letter to Kosova Press
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Tomas Krasauskas <[email protected]>
Open hCa Letter to Kosova Press
Editor in chief
Kosovapress
Pristina, Kosova
Open Letter 20 October 1999
The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (hCa), which emerged out of the
dialogue in the 1980s between peace and human rights activists on both
sides of the East-West divide, has many members and sympathisers in
Kosova. For years we have tried to support the local people in Kosova,
while campaigning for a more active role of the international
community in the struggle against the oppressive policies of the
Milosevic regime. In the summer of 1998 we started a campaign for
international humanitarian intervention in Kosova in order to
establish safe zones in the region and halt the violent policy of
ethnic cleansing by the Belgrade regime. Nowadays, we support concrete
democratic initiatives in Kosova, especially those of young people. We
are also trying to link up cities in Kosova with cities elsewhere in
Europe in order to stimulate the process of European integration for
Kosova.
Democracy is based on values. Tolerance and respect for the integrity
of each human being are the central values of a democratic society.
Hate speech and arbitrary accusations intending to discredit another
citizen's reputation are not compatible with democratic standards. We
are very proud and happy to see that so many of our friends in Kosova
are now publicly emphasising those standards and values. By doing so,
they give a major contribution to the democratic development of Kosova
and moreover show the international community that it is worthwhile to
increase its efforts to encourage the people of Kosova to pursue a
democratic road to the future.
Having said this, we also want to express our deep concern with the
methods used by Kosovapress to voice its criticism regarding two of
our best friends and colleagues in Kosova. On 5 October, Veton Surroi
and Baton Haxhiu, both working for Koha Ditore, were accused by
Kosovapress of "spying and co-operating with the Milosevic' regime",
and moreover were called "dregs". These accusations are wrong. They
are based not on real facts, but on an intention to manipulate public
opinion. In a society which follows the principles of democracy, such
accusations cannot be left unnoticed because they put those accused
into real danger by declaring them outlaws. In every democratic
society, such accusations would face a lawsuit. If the accusation
cannot be proved then the agency (Kosovapress in this case) would be
sentenced and the victims of the accusations rehabilitated.
By this open letter, we urge Kosovapress to apologise publicly to
Veton Surroi and Baton Haxhiu and to take measures in order to prevent
similar misdoings in the future. We also ask Kosovapress to publish
this letter in its newspaper. Democracy in Kosova can be achieved only
through following the principles of democracy.
The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
Mary Kaldor & Martin Palous
Co-Chairs, Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
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For more information, please contact
International Secretariat, Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
Veletrzni 24, 170 00 Prague 7, Czech Republic
Tel.: +420 2 20570640, +420 2 20397301
Fax: +420 2 20397251
E@mail: [email protected]
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