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INTERNATIONAL
HELSINKI FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
To UNHCR and other
agencies and governments involved in the work with Roma refugees.
Appeal from human rights
organisations and other participants in the seminar
"Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion in Balkan Countries"
Herceg Novi, Montenegro 24-26 September
Human Rights Organisations from Albania, Bosnia,
Republika Srpska, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia,
Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and the UK, participating
in the seminar "Minority Rights and Freedom of Religion in Balkan Countries"
heard of the dire situation of the Roma refugees from Kosovo particularly in Serbia,
Montenegro, Macedonia and Republika Srpska from representatives of Roma organisations,
national and international NGOs. As is well-known, the safe return of these people back to
Kosovo is impossible at this time. In many situations the Roma refugees outside Kosovo,
and internally displaced Roma within Kosovo, are presently without access to basic
amenities such as shelter, food, health care, water and electricity. With winter
approaching, these problems are expected to get more serious. The refugee status of many
is in jeopardy, or might be jeopardised in the future.
We urge the High Commissioner on Refugees, Mrs.
Ogata, to visit the sites where the Roma refugees are residing, and we appeal to the UNHCR
and all other agencies and governments involved in supplying humanitarian aid to the
region, to continue to closely monitor the situation and to provide housing, food and
basic medical services to the Roma refugees from Kosovo living in Serbia, Montenegro,
Macedonia and Republika Srpska, and other countries in the region.
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