SERBIA: REPORT AND REQUEST FROM WOMEN IN BLACK, BELGRADE

March 9, 2004 – (WLUML - Serbia and Montenegro) On 6th April, Women in Black together with citizens of Serbia, protested under the slogan "Not in our name, not with our money." (Women in Black, Belgrade)

The protest was against the passing of the Law regarding the rights of those accused war criminals before the Hague Tribunal and members of their families.

With this protest we wished to show that the passing of this law signifies the non-acknowledgement and relativization of crimes committed by Milosevic and his collaborators during the decade of his government's rule.

With this protest we also marked the twelve-year anniversary of the beginning of aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the tragic crimes which were committed by all sides, but in highest measure by the one claiming to be fighting for Serbian interests. These are the same people for whom we now, with this new law, must pay defense expenses.

Following the protest, two of Women in Black's activists, Boban Stojanovic and Radojica Buncic, were attacked by four unknown persons. The attackers struck them with their arms and legs, saying "Leave Serbia", "faggots", "You are against Serbs", "Go to Croatia" and various phrases, which were similar to the insults that could be heard during the attack against Belgrade's mosque on March 17th.

The police arrived and conducted an investigation, after which the two activists were taken to the emergency room. After being examined their injuries were determined to be non-critical, the two were released, and they are now physically well.

The increasing strength of the clerical right-wing that is represented by the members of football fan clubs and organizations such as "Obraz" that encourage religious and ethnic hate and violence against everyone who thinks and acts differently is a serious sign of the increasing fascism in Serbia.

This tendency is directly connected with the nonexistence of political will in this government to clearly distance itself from the government and ideological regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

Therefore, we will continue to strive for the timely extradition of every accused war criminal, and we will continue to be in opposition to the non-acknowledgement and relativization of crime.

Beginning on Saturday, April 10th, citizens across Serbia will collect signatures for the initiative "Not in Our Name"; for the passing of a new law which will annul the current one regarding the rights of those accused war criminals before the Hague Tribunal and members of their families.

Thank you for your support!

From: http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-43678%20&cmd[189]=x-189-43678