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Human rights report: Kosovo minorities sidelined from society
PRISTINA 9 June 2000
PRISTINA, 9 June 2000 - Lack of security and restricted freedom of movement prevent Kosovo minorities from accessing public services. This warning came from the United Nations High Commission on Refugees and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe human rights department, in a joint report issued today on the Situation of Ethnic Minorities in Kosovo.
The 19-page report, which is the fifth in a series, highlights the incidents of attacks - murders, arsons and assaults - against minorities between February and May 2000. The continuing violence, it says, has an impact on the ability of minority communities to access public services, such as health care, education, social welfare and public utilities.
"The rights assessed in this report are indivisible," the report states. "Without basic security and freedom of movement, exercise of their rights becomes difficult or impossible."
The study shows that restricted freedom of movement and inconsistencies in the use of official languages remain obstacles for minorities to access social welfare, utilities and other public services. The report shows few examples of shared health care facilities. Many minorities, particularly Serbs, are forced to rely on services outside of Kosovo's normal health care system. The report also shows a reliance on separate schools for children, without a common curriculum.
The report concludes that in re-establishing public service systems in Kosovo, it is essential to find creative and practical ways to ensure that minorities have full access. A number of recommendations to improve the current situation are offered in the report, including:
A copy of the report is available on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo website.
For further information, contact Press and Public Information of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: +381 38 500 162 ext. 118, 218, 260, 342. Satphone: 871 762 009 948. Fax: +381 38 500 188. Satfax: 871 382 425 022. or Maki Shinohara or Paula Ghedini, UNHCR Kosovo, +381-38-501-509
The 19-page report, which is the fifth in a series, highlights the incidents of attacks - murders, arsons and assaults - against minorities between February and May 2000. The continuing violence, it says, has an impact on the ability of minority communities to access public services, such as health care, education, social welfare and public utilities.
"The rights assessed in this report are indivisible," the report states. "Without basic security and freedom of movement, exercise of their rights becomes difficult or impossible."
The study shows that restricted freedom of movement and inconsistencies in the use of official languages remain obstacles for minorities to access social welfare, utilities and other public services. The report shows few examples of shared health care facilities. Many minorities, particularly Serbs, are forced to rely on services outside of Kosovo's normal health care system. The report also shows a reliance on separate schools for children, without a common curriculum.
The report concludes that in re-establishing public service systems in Kosovo, it is essential to find creative and practical ways to ensure that minorities have full access. A number of recommendations to improve the current situation are offered in the report, including:
- providing outreach services to allow better access to public services;
- promoting shared school facilities and developing a common curriculum for all schools in Kosovo, which includes ideas of tolerance, peace and human rights;
- promoting multi-ethnic staffing, and enforcing a standard practice code of tolerance and respect at workplace ; and
- enforcing a multiple official language policy.
A copy of the report is available on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo website.
For further information, contact Press and Public Information of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel.: +381 38 500 162 ext. 118, 218, 260, 342. Satphone: 871 762 009 948. Fax: +381 38 500 188. Satfax: 871 382 425 022. or Maki Shinohara or Paula Ghedini, UNHCR Kosovo, +381-38-501-509