BELGRADE NGOs _________________________________________________

REQUEST FOR AMNESTY

Belgrade, June 11, 1999

To the:

Parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

The Action of nongovernmental organizations and Trade Union Confederation "Nezavisnost" demands from federal authorities to immediately declare amnesty recalling all criminal proceedings, initiated trials and carrying out of sentences for all those individuals who refused to participate in the war that had been forced upon them, consciousness objectors, as well as those individuals who have committed political criminal acts related to war, except for war crimes.

After the adoption of the United Nations resolution, common objectives For all Yugoslav citizens are peace and reconciliation, prosperity and reconstruction of the country. These objectives cannot be achieved without the return of those who have, during the bombing campaign and war, voluntarily or under pressure left the country. The prevention of their return would represent government's obstruction of the country's reconstruction while declaring amnesty would be only the first, fundamental step in the achievement of proclaimed objectives. We therefore ask the authorities of Yugoslavia to make that first step to meet the objectives of their citizens.

The Action of nongovernmental organizations and Trade Union Confederation "Nezavisnost" demands from state officials to declare amnesty similar to the one declared after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, and from the United Nations and the European Union to support the Action in this request.

The Action's Council for Human Rights has prepared a draft Law on Amnesty to be offered to the citizens of Serbia and Montenegro to sign. By signing this draft, the citizens will, through the legislative initiative submitted to the Parliament, participate in the processes of democratization and reconstruction of the destroyed legal system of Yugoslavia.

In Belgrade, June 11th, 1999

1. UGS "Nezavisnost"

2. Alternative Education Academic Network

3. Belgrade Circle

4. Belgrade Women's Lobby

5. Center for Policy Studies

6. Center for Gender Studies

7. Center for Transition to Democracy

8. Society for Tolerance – Backa Palanka

9. Children Humanitarian Fund

10. Society for Cooperation with Neighboring Countries

11. Society of New Labor – Nis

12. Democratic Movement for Pancevo

13. District 0230 – Kikinda

14. Eco Center

15. European Movement in Serbia

16. Ethnic Forum – Subotica

17. Foundation for Peace and Crisis Management

18. FOSCODE – NGO Glasnik

19. Forum for Ethnic Relations

20. Civic Initiatives

21. Civic Forum – Novi Pazar

22. Group 484

23. Yugoslav Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights

24. Council for Human Rights – Leskovac

25. Women Safe Houses

26. Society of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to Trade Unions

27. VIN (Video Weekly)

28. Women in Black

29. XXL Creative Youth Group

30. Student Union of Yugoslavia/Serbia

31. SOS Telephone for Women and Children Victims of Abuse

32. Movement from the Margin – Kraljevo

33. PostPessimists – Belgrade

34. Women Civic Initiatives – Kraljevo

35. Urban In – Novi Pazar

36. Council for Humanitarian Work – Pancevo

37. Council for Environmental Protection – Pancevo

38. Peace Action – Subotica

39. Agora – Subotica

40. FEDRA – Zrenjanin

41. Trag – Nis

42. Panonian Civic Forum – Novi Sad

43. Movement for Peace – Pancevo

44. Sombor Peace Group

45. Society of Private Small and Medium Businesses and Entrepreneurs – Vrsac

46. Urban Workshop – Vrsac

47. Astra Rumuna – Kustilj

Cc:

European Union, Mr. Gerhard Schrφder, Chairman of the EU Council

United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General

Mr. Victor Chernomyrdin, President Boris Yeltsin's Special Envoy to

Kosovo

Mr. Marti Ahtisaari, European Union's Special Envoy to Kosovo

Mr. Carl Bildt, UN Special Envoy to Kosovo

President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

President of the Republic of Serbia

National Parliament of the Republic of Serbia