OCSE Human Dimension Implimentation Meeting, Warsaw, October 2000

10 October 2000

Mr. Moderator,

Minority Rights Group has been working to promote minority rights and cooperation between communities in Southeast Europe since mid-1990s. In our work, we take a regional approach through cross-country projects, but we also work with NGOs in individual countries. We have been working closely with NGOs in Yugoslavia for the past two years. Following a 1998 report on Minorities in Southeast Europe: Inclusion and Exclusion, we have published a report on Minority Rights in Federal Republic of Yugoslavia earlier this year.

We welcome the peaceful change of power in Yugoslavia following the democratic presidential elections last month. However, we believe that there is a risk that in the enthusiasm for the changes, actors both within and outside FRY may not pay as much attention as needed to ensure that a democratic system is established in which all individuals and groups can participate effectively. As the history of the region testifies, only effective participation can ensure long term stability and a just peace. MRG would like to draw your attention to our concern that minority communities may continue to be marginalized in FRY, and to propose some steps to ensure their inclusion.

Minority Rights Group recommends:

1. That FRY’s government respects its human rights obligations under international treaties, including the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

2. That FRY’s government makes arrangements to ensure that minorities can participate effectively in decision-making processes at all levels. These arrangements must be made on the basis of negotiations with the groups concerned.

3. That the international community closely monitors the human rights situation in FRY, and that human and minority rights protection is at the centre of discussions about FRY’s return to intergovernmental bodies, including OSCE, and is a condition of economic aid. Any aid should be monitored to ensure that minority communities benefit from it fairly and proportionately.

4. That the international community significantly increases its support for civil society organisations, independent media, and local authorities in FR Yugoslavia. Many NGOs and other local actors rely on this support. They have done some of the best work for human rights protection and cooperation between groups in Yugoslavia. It is of utmost importance that they continue and strengthen this work, and the international community should do everything to facilitate this. This includes financial support, sharing of good practices, human rights training and facilitating contacts across frontiers.

Minority Rights Group will continue to work with civil society in FRY and the international community, and we are ready to work with FRY’s new government to help ensure that FRY takes steps towards effective protection of minority rights.

Thank you, Mr. Moderator.