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November 25, 1999 In direct violation of the Geneva Accords
Two representatives, Alice Mead, the writer and human rights activist from the US, Kosova Action Network, and Idriz Zogaj, Sweden-Kosov@ Union, visit the European Parliament in Brussels, November 23-25.
Some of the civilians and children are today released, a result of both national and international actions.
Serbian authorities immediately seized on this oversight. Most of the prisoners were detained between March 24 and June 10th. They were transfered from Kosova to prisons within Serbia, where they remained unprotected by international norms, in direct violation of the Geneva Accords.
Only "terrorists" on "the other side"
The trial of Doctor Flora Brovina, due to begin November 25, is a prime example of the injustice these prisoners face.
Human rights groups state that Dr. Brovina ran a clinic for women and children during the war. These Serbs claim she committed acts of terrorism against the state of Yugoslavia.
A poet and doctor, Browina, was tortured in prison. She suffers from heart decease.
World wide support
While in Belgium, they also met with Franklin de Vrieze of PxChristl. De Vrieze is part of the grassroots response to the prisoner crisis.
On December 10-11, EP Green Party members will attend a Helsinki summit on human rights. Mead hopes they will raise the issue of the prisoners there, and do more than pass a second resolution.
No wide support
Mead says she observes that:
"Although EP members are aware of the gross human rights violations involved in the Kosovo-Albanian prisoner issue, especially with regards to the children. They were cynical about taking further actions or connecting in more detail with the problem".
BOES.ORG crew, November 25, 1999 |