March 3, 2000
March 3, 2000
Contact HRF Communications (212) 845 5245 media@humanrightsfirst.orgRights Group Urges Protection for
Kosovar Albanians Detained in Serbia
Dr. Flora Brovina and Others Remain in PerilNew York -- Human Rights First today wrote to U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and the President of the Supreme Court of Serbia urging for the protection of the international human rights of Kosovar Albanians detained in Serbia.
In its letter to Ambassador Holbrooke, Human Rights First highlighted the need for the international community to protect approximately 1,500 Kosovar Albanians prisoners taken into Serbia by the retreating Serb forces. "NATO entered into armed conflict and the UN established an international administration to protect Kosovar Albanians, yet neither have taken effective steps to protect those Kosovars who continue to be victimized in Serbia," said Robert O. Varenik, Director of Protection at Human Rights First.
The Committee’s letter to the President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Serbia focused on the case of one particular detainee, Dr. Flora Brovina. Dr Brovina, poet, pediatrician and founder of the Albanian League of Women in Kosovo, was convicted of terrorism and sentenced to 12 years in jail after months of illegal detention and mistreatment. Her arrest, detention and trial violated numerous internationally guaranteed rights. "The blatant human rights violations committed by the Serb authorities in the case of Dr. Brovina highlights the need for immediate and effective action by the United Nations to address the situation of all the Kosovar Albanian detainees in Serbia," said Varenik. Dr. Brovina filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Serbia on January 20, 2000.
Dr. Bernard Kouchner, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), is scheduled to address the UN Security Council on March 6, 2000.
Human Rights First has also given its support to a resolution condemning the continued detention of Kosovar Albanians in Serbia, which is scheduled to be introduced next week by Congressman Engel and a bipartisan group of members from the U.S. House of Representatives.