APPEAL FOR THE SUPPORT TO PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Belgrade, May 22, 1999

An atmosphere of mistrust and expulsion of adversaries is spreading throughout FR Yugoslavia. The murders of renown public figures, journalists and politicians (Slavko Curuvija, Fehmi Agani), political and propaganda campaigns spreading fear and persecuting political opponents (Nenad Canak, Vuk Draskovic, Milo Djukanovic, Zoran Djindjic, Velimir Ilic, Vuk Obradovic), intimidation of professional journalists reporting for Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, RFI, as well as activists of peace movements and nongovernmental organizations and many others) were followed by persecution and physical abuse of members of political parties ( SPO, Social Democracy and Democratic Party, and some municipal leaders of the ruling SPS). Citizens are divided into "traitors and fifth columnists" on one side and "real patriots" on the other; party headquarters (Democratic Party, JUL) suffer vandalistic and terrorist attacks, violent and irresponsible behavior of army and police reservists is on the increase.

All of this is leading our society in the direction of uncontrolled violence against citizens.The legal obligation of civilian and army authorities is to prevent the abuse of state of war for continuing clashes with political opponents, to identify and punish murderers and those who are undermining the very foundation of our society by perpetrating violence against citizens.

We are reminding the authorities that peace is the highest interest of citizens, nations and states, especially at times of war destruction of the country, killings, expulsions and suffering of people and growing fear of uncertainty for future economic and social survival.

Only peace won by citizens can be a foundation for the reconstruction of the country, building of mutual confidence and reconciliation and development of democracy.

We appeal to political parties and their leaderships, especially those with the monopoly to shape public opinion, to put an end to all activities endorsing mistrust and violence among citizens.

We support citizens who, following their consciousness, act to stop political violence and introduce peace and democracy.

Alternative Academic Educational Network (AAEN) |

Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to Trade Unions

Belgrade Circle

Belgrade Women's Lobby

Belgrade Women's Studies Center

Center for Policy Studies

Center for Transition to Democracy (ToD)

Civic Initiatives

Civil Forum - Novi Pazar

Children's Humanitarian Fund

Committee for Human Rights - Leskovac

Democratic Movement for Pancevo

District 0230 - Kikinda

ECO Center

Environmental Issues Civic Committee - Pancevo

Ethnic forum ­ Subotica

European Movement in Serbia

FEDRA - Zrenjanin

Forum for Ethnic Relations

FOSCODE - NGO Messenger

Group 484

Humanitarian Affairs Committee - Pancevo

Movement of Margin - Kraljevo

Panonian Civic Forum ­ Novi Sad

Peace Action Subotica

Peace and Crises Management Foundation

Shelters for Women and Children Victims of Violence

Society for Cooperation With Neighboring Countries

Society for Tolerance ­ Backa Palanka

SOS Telephone for Women and Children Victims of Violence

Student Union of Yugoslavia

Subotica Agora

Trade Union Confederation "NEZAVISNOST"

TRAG - Nis

URBAN IN - Novi Pazar

WIN (Weekly Independent News)

Women's Civic Initiatives - Kraljevo

Women in Black Against War (WIB)

XXL Creative group

YU Lawyers Committee for Human Rights

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Beograd, 22.05. 1999

APEL ZA PODRŠKU MIRU I DEMOKRATIJI U SRBIJI I CRNOJ GORI

SR Jugoslavijom se širi atmosfera nepovernja i progona neistomišljenika. Ubistva poznatih javnih licnosti, novinara i politicara (Slavka Curuvije, Fehmi Aganija), politicko – propagandne kampanje širenja straha i proganjanje neistomišljenika (Nenada Canka, Vuka Draškovica, Mila Djukanovica, Zorana Djindjica, Velimira Ilica, Vuka Obradovica; novinara koji obavaljaju svoju profesionalnu duznost kao izveštaci Radija Slobodna Evropa, Glas Amerike, Dojce Vele, RFI; aktivista mirovnih pokreta i nevladinih organizacija i drugih) preraslo je u fizicke obracune sa clanovima pojedinih partija: SPO, Socijaldemokratije, Demokratske stranke i pojedinih opštinskih rukovodilaca SPS; deobe gradjana na "izdajnike i petokolonaše" s jedne i "prave patriote" s druge strane, vandalski i teroristicki napadi na sedišta stranaka (na primer Demokratske stranke, Jul-a), sve više nasilnog i neodgovornog ponašanja pripadnika rezervnog sastava vojske i policije, naše društvo vode na put nekontrolisanog nasilja nad gradjanima.

Zakonska obaveza civilnih i vojnih vlasti je da sprece zloupotrebu ratnog stanja za obracunavanje sa politickim neistomišljenicima, da otkriju i kazne ubice i one koji nasiljem nad gradjanima podrivaju same temelje društva.

Podsecamo vlasti da je mir najviši interes gradjana, nacija i drzave, a posebno u danima ratnog razaranja zemlje; ubijanja i nasilnog raseljavanja i patnji ljudi; narastanja straha od neizvesnosti buduceg ekonomskog i socijalnog prezivljanja gradjana SR Jugoslavije.

Samo mir izboren od gradjana moze biti osnova za obnovu zemlje, izgradnju medjusobnog poverenja i izmerenja ljudi, razvoja demokratije.

Apelujemo na politicke stranke i njihova vodjstva, narocito na one koji imaju monopol na oblikovanje javnog mnjenja da obustave svako delovanje koje podstice medjugradjansko nepoverenje i nasilje.

Podrzavamo gradjane koji u skladu sa svojom savešcu deluju na prekidu politickog nasilja, na uspostavljanju mira i demokratije

Alternativna akademska obrazovna mreza (AAOM)

Beogradski krug

Beogradski zenski lobi

Centar za proucavanje alternativa

Centar za tranziciju ka demokratiji (ToD)

Centar za zenske studije - Beograd

Deciji humanitarni fond

Demokratski pokret za Pancevo

Distrikt 0230 - Kikinda

Društvo za saradnju sa susednim narodima

Društvo za toleranciju – Backa Palanka

EKO Centar

Etnicki forum – Subotica

Evropski pokret u Srbiji

FEDRA - Zrenjanin

Fondacija za mir i rešavanje kriza

Forum za etnicke odnose

FOSCODE- NVO Glasnik

Gradanske inicijative

Gradanski forum - Novi Pazar

Grupa 484

Jugoslavenski komitet pravnika za ljudska prava

Mirovna akcija Subotice

Odbor za ekologiju - Pancevo

Odbor za humanitarni rad - Pancevo

Odbor za ljudska prava - Leskovac

Panonski gradanski forum – Novi Sad

Pokret sa margine - Kraljevo

Sigurne zenske kuce

SOS telefon za zene i decu zrtve nasilja

Studentska Unija Jugoslavije

Suboticka agora

TRAG - Niš

Udruzenje gradana za demokratiju, socijalnu pravdu i podršku sindikatima

UGS "Nezavisnost"

URBAN IN - Novi Pazar

VIN (Video nedeljnik)

Yene u crnom protiv rata

Yenske gra]anske inicijative - Kraljevo

XXL Kreativna grupa mladih