YIHR Demands that the State Acts Against Racism in New Belgrade
The Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) demanded yesterday, July 19, from the state institutions to take action and prevent the expansion of racial, religious and national hatred and intolerance shown at a protest meeting organized by the inhabitants of Doctor Ivan Ribar Street in New Belgrade. Moreover, we demand the Public Prosecutor start proceedings to find out who is responsible for the expansion of racism in New Belgrade.
At the protest meeting held on July 15, 2005, a YIHR researcher noted a call to lynch of the Chinese and Romany. One of the speakers at the meeting said: “The Chinese in this block urinate in building entrances, staircases, and corners as well as those coming at their places to have a bath. Imagine all that dirt and you will know what troubles our neighbours have to face”. Youth Initiative for Human Rights also noted open calls to lynch of Radmila Hrustanovic, Deputy Mayor of Belgrade. Some of the present were exclaiming slogans such as “Let her return to Sarajevo where she came from” and “She came from Sarajevo to direct our city”, as well as an open humiliation of the Romany by messages such as “Come to the sun to get a tan like the Gypsies” and “We don’t want the Gypsies”. “We are not racists, we just oppose to dumps, rubbish-heaps and spread of infections they will bring along”. Youth Initiative for Human Rights thinks that state institutions shall prevent the expansion of racism in New Belgrade and start adequate proceedings against those who violated the law. It seems as if non-punishing committers of the acts that provoke racial intolerance and hate speech has become a practice. |
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