Hostages of tension
Subtitle: intimidation and harassment of ethnic Albanians in Serbia after Kosovo's declaration of independence
By: Human Rights Watch
Contributors: Human Rights Watch (Organization)
Publisher: Human Rights Watch
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New York, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 74
ISBN-13: 9781564323941
Subjects: Human rights; Muslims; Crimes against; Ethnic conflict; Albanians; Ethnic relations; Abuse of
Other titles: Intimidation and harassment of ethnic Albanians in Serbia after Kosovo's declaration of independence.; Serbia, hostages of tension
Description: Kosovo's declaration of independence on February 17, 2008, sparked a dangerous chain of events in Serbia. Nationalist anger about losing a province considered to be a cradle of Serbian culture and religion found an outlet in public demonstrations, and in some cases violence, including attacks on western embassies and businesses. The attacks on embassies and rioting in Belgrade were widely covered by national and international media. What largely escaped attention, however, were acts of harassment and intimidation against ethnic Albanians that took place across Serbia, but particularly in the province of Vojvodina, in the days that followed. In February and March 2008, the police registered 221 incidents relating to the protests over Kosovo, including those with no ethnic motivation, of which 190 took place in Vojvodina.  Until the authorities cooperate adequately to prevent, investigate, and, where appropriate, prosecute the attacks on minorities such as those described in this report, minorities in Serbia will remain hostages of societal tensions, feeling threatened, intimidated and unwelcome. The persistence of such vulnerability is detrimental not only to minorities, but also to Serbian society as a whole. If Serbia is serious about moving closer to Europe, it is crucial for the authorities and the society as a whole to create conditions for the peaceful and dignified coexistence of all of Serbia's citizens.
Notes: "November 2008"--Prelim.

Written by Wanda Troszczynska-van Genderen.

Includes bibliographical references
Table of contents: title: Executive summary; title: Key recommendations; title: Background; title: Institutional and legal framework for investigating and prosecuting offenses with ethnic or religious motives; title: Attacks in February 2008 in Vojvodina; title: Attacks in February 2008 outside Vojvodina; title: Response of the police - Response of the national authorities; title: Expanded recommendations