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D 1 HIGHLIGHTs EDITORIAL 19 The Catholic Church Discrimination is Illegal Helps Migrants The Bishops of the Catholic Church The National Councils of National Minorities, in addition to in Serbia met in Subotica. The topics their jurisdictions, also have an important function that falls of the meeting were discussed by within their natural jurisdiction and is perhaps the most impor - Mr Stanislav Hočevar, the Bishop of tant of their functions. It is the function of observing and re - Belgrade, Msgr. Dr Laszlo Nemeth, the Bishop of Zrenjanin, and Mirko porting on discrimination that occurs in practice, in the lives of Štefković, the Bishop of Subotica. people belonging to national minorities, which takes place The Bishops highlighted the oppor - every day according to a specific scenario that can make them tunities to help migrants and refugees passing through Serbia as a feel unequal in our society. separate issue. They said that the Such scenarios certainly exist and should be the subject of in - phenomenon is beginning to spiral terest of the National Councils of National Minorities. out of control because there is no clear international strategy or a clear The report of the Commissioner for Protection of Equality in - stand for control of the humanitar - cludes complaints of discrimination on ethnic grounds, and the ian problem. existence of this form of discrimination is well known, which is always the first step in combating the discrimination. The Com - missioner learns about the cases of discrimination on ethnic grounds mostly from the National Councils of National Minori - Celebration of Grain, ties and she strives to inform the public about those cases so Bread and All that such practice becomes publicly condemned and stopped. of the Bunjevac People Often, the presentation of such information in the public results in a reaction from the national authorities and international in - To crown the hard work of our farm - ers and as a symbol of togetherness, stitutions and organizations, and the effect is quickly noticed. bread should keep our community However, to make this all possible, it is necessary to encourage in harmony. Dužijanca Day, one of the common man, a member or non-member of ethnic minor - four national holidays of the Bunje - vac national minority, was officially ity, to address the National Council of National Minorities and celebrated on Monday, August 17, point to the possible discrimination because there is an estab - and was organized by the Bunjevac lished mechanism which is able to prevent any form of discrim - National Council. This year Dužijanca was held as part of the XIV Festival ination. In addition, there is a much branched legislation, which of Bunjevac folk creativity, which is provides a firm legal basis for the prosecution of all cases of included in the events of special im - discrimination on ethnic grounds, so that in Serbia of the 21st portance of the Town of Subotica. century it is not actually possible to keep the discrimination of people belonging to national minorities alive. Nevertheless, discrimination based on ethnicity still exists, ac - cording to the number of complaints, and it is necessary to de - termine where the weaknesses of the system of discrimination The Municipality of Zemun Halts Forced lie. Evictions of Roma Commissioner for Protection of 30 different national communities live in Serbia! Equality, Brankica Janković, wel - comed the decision of the munici - pality of Zemun, which has suspended the procedure of forced evictions of the residents of the Roma settlement Grmeč in Zemun in line with the recommendations of the Commissioner, until they are provided permanent accommoda - tion.

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www.minoritynews.rs right place for everybody NEWS Most Complaints of Discrimination on Ethnic Grounds ast year, the largest number of complaints - 124, were filed due to discrimination on ethnic grounds, said the Com - mLissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Janković, adding that most of the complaints were filed by the Bosniak National Council. "The complaints are mostly related to the State authorities and the media due to discrimination against Roma and Bosniaks, mainly in the field of labour and employment," said Janković to Tan - jug, who previously met with the repre - sentatives of the National Councils of National Minorities. According to her, the representatives of national minorities mainly emphasized the use of language as an issue, espe - cially in the field of education. "Of all the National Councils of National Minorities, the Bosniak National Council has filed most complaints to the Com - missioner for Protection of Equality so far, about the inability to use the Bosnian language. Other National Councils have expressed similar concerns," said the implementation of activities in coop - Janković. Of all the National Councils of eration with National Councils of Na - National Minorities, the tional Minorities. The Commissioner also reminded that Bosniak National Council has the research of that institution has filed most complaints to the "It was a good opportunity to personally shown that there is a certain ethnic dis - Commissioner for Protection of meet and talk directly about the prob - tance towards the national minorities, Equality so far, about the lems they face, and to consider how the mostly towards the Roma, Bosniaks, Al - inability to use the Bosnian institution of the Commissioner, which banians and Croats. language. Other National fights against discrimination, can be Councils have expressed more accessible to them," said Janković. She said that other issues that are more similar concerns related to the socio - economic status According to her, an agreement was were also discussed at the meeting. National Minorities was organized reached to organize the meetings twice within the project "Let Equality Become a year, regardless of the end of the proj - "They themselves have observed the a Reality" that the Commissioner con - ect. fact that they should cooperate more ducted with the House of Human Rights and raise awareness about the cases of and Democracy. "It was agreed to have the meetings on politicization of National Councils and a regular basis, where we would make their roles in the social life," said Stating that the representatives of Na - an overview and exchange experiences Janković. tional Councils had a good and construc - in terms of improving equality, primarily tive meeting, Janković pointed out that that of national minorities," said Meeting of the Commissioner and of the it is a project that aims to fight discrimi - Janković. representatives of National Councils of nation and promote equality through

an agreement was reached to organize the meetings twice a year, regardless of the end of the project

Minority News 3 Office for Human and Minority Rights Paunović: Serbia Is Not Pushing Roma Into Poverty Source: Tanjug

irector of the Office for Roma minority were employed. In 2014, Human and Minority Rights, support was provided for 62 subsidies Suzana Paunović, said today for self-employment of Roma. that the rights guaranteed by thDe Constitution and the fundamental Paunović reminded that 249 entrepre - standards of human rights protection, neurs have employed members of the especially where minorities are con - Roma minority, which has created space cerned, will be respected when taking for their greater engagement in the pri - new measures by the Government, as vate sector. it has been the case up to now. "All these activities support the fact that Commenting on a statement of the measures announced by the Prime Amnesty International, in conjunction Minister Vučić will not lead in the direc - with the announcement of the Prime tion of discrimination against members Minister Aleksandar Vučić, that asylum of the Roma minority in the Republic of Serbia, but that special care of those seekers, whose claims have been re - pointed Paunović, adding that the Ser - jected, will be denied the right to social who live in difficult economic conditions bian Government has taken a number of will be taken," stated Paunović. assistance, Paunović said that the organ - steps towards greater and faster integra - ization in question did not consider all tion of the Roma in the overall social and The applicable legal regulations in our the efforts that the Government has economic processes. made in addressing the situation of the country, including legally binding inter - Roma national minority in Serbia and national agreements, ensure that the It is generally known that the problem competent national authorities, are that all Government measures are of unemployment in our country is not aimed at getting Roma out of poverty going to support all disadvantaged citi - only the problem of the Roma minority, zens within the limits of available finan - and reducing discrimination against although within this population the per - them. cial resources, particularly Roma living in the most difficult economic conditions. Paunović reminded that, according to When we talk about the the Office for Human and Minority so-called false asylum seekers It is the responsibility of the state, which Rights, the total number of asylum seek - they, or any other persons who is diligently and regularly met, so it is un - ers from Serbia in Germany in 2014 was are present in the territory of derstandable that the state expects all 16,862, while in the first seven months Serbia, will not remain without its citizens to fulfil their obligations, as of 2015 their number was 11,032, of shelter and access to basic well as to comply with the applicable which 85 per cent were members of the rights, but she also pointed out legal regulations regarding their behav - Roma national minority. that the sanctioning of iour and actions, while respecting and non-compliance and misuse of not jeopardizing the rights of other citi - Paunović reminded that about 20,000 the law cannot be considered zens, said Paunović. Roma are already receiving financial so - discrimination cial assistance, which is about 16 per Amnesty International has urged the cent of the total number of beneficiaries Prime Minister of Serbia earlier to recon - of this right. centage is most pronounced, among sider the intention to actually adopt the other things, due to insufficient levels of announced law, because, in their opin - When we talk about the so-called false education, added Paunović. ion, it will condition those who have asylum seekers they, or any other per - been deported to Serbia to very likely sons who are present in the territory of She also pointed out that according to leave again. Serbia, will not remain without shelter the National Employment Service in and access to basic rights, but she also 2014 there were 22,377 Roma who Amnesty International stated that such pointed out that the sanctioning of non- were seeking work. measures would constitute discrimina - tion under Article 21 of the Constitution compliance and misuse of the law can - Of that number, 1,600 members of the not be considered discrimination, of Serbia.

The applicable legal regulations in our country, including legally binding international agreements, ensure that the competent national authorities, are going to support all disadvantaged citizens within the limits of available financial resources, particularly Roma living in the most difficult economic conditions

Minority News 4 NEWS WHAT WILL THE PRIVATIZATION OF MEDIA BRING ABOUT

Things cannAouthotr: ZGlata Voasi ljefvrić /o Soumrce: H rBvatsAka riDječ to WORSE Out of 72 state-owned media 13 have been sold so far n The new owners are obliged to keep the program schedule for five years, including programs in languages of minority communities.

erbia currently has 110 TV and 325 radio stations. Circulation of daily namely local self-governments, (were) newspapers is 500,000 copies, while only two years ago it was 750,000. are means of authority’s propaganda - This year, estimates are that the media will get about 130 million euros with some exceptions, of course. through marketing, but 70 percent of that money »will go« to TV sta - Local authorities have treated them as tiSons. Also important is the fact that over the years the amount of money in mar - their own property, where they could al - keting has reduced, thus only two years ago that figure, instead of the current 130 ways come and say whatever they million, was EUR 175 million. That is how the current media scene in Serbia looks wanted, since nobody would ask them like in figures. delicate questions. Privatization will somehow change this habit of politi - What will the privatization in progress primarily TV stations. cians, or at least make it more difficult bring about, in which direction might in - for local authorities to place their prop - forming go with respect to who the new "We're still at the very beginning of this aganda on the air, although we already potential owners of the media are, and process, and it would be frivolous to give see examples of how they, particularly what is the future of informing in the some arbitrary assessment of what the the local self-governments, are trying to languages of national communities, outcome of the new round of privatiza - preserve their past 'right' to the media - those are the topics we are going to ad - tion of the media will be. In any case, pri - illegally, of course", said for Hrvatska riječ dress in this article. vatization is still the lesser evil. Local journalist Csaba Pressburger, member of media that are owned by the state, the Executive Board of the Independent REPORTING OR PROPAGANDA Journalists' Association of Vojvodina. Media privatization and withdrawal of "Let us first ask the following Slobodan Krajnović, chief editor of the the state from media ownership is a long Novi Sad Radio 021, expects no major time subject of discussion and pro and - where are we today? Current media image of breaks in the media scene after the pri - con arguments. Finally, it seems that the vatization and expects no change for the state/municipal media that once existed Serbia is the worst in the last decade. It did not get this worse with regard to informing citizens. in almost all municipalities and cities, "Let us first ask the following - where are and the founders of which were the local way yesterday or today, but the media have deteriorated we today? Current media image of Ser - self-governments that funded them bia is the worst in the last decade. It did wholly or partially, have come to an end, gradually and the process of collapsing, not only of the not get this way yesterday or today, but since the privatization of the media the media have deteriorated gradually must be completed by the end of Octo - media but also of the journalistic profession and the process of collapsing, not only ber. This summer the sale of 37 out of 72 of the media but also of the journalistic existing media in the state/municipal ownership was announced. By the con - clusion of this text 13 would have been sold. Some were sold on the first try, some will seek new owners in new auc - tions, and some will be shut down. Cer - tainly, in recent weeks the sale of media was marked by the news that Radio Šid was sold at a price that is 76 times greater than the initial one and that around 536,000 euros was paid for it, which is more than for Studio B, as well as the news that RTV Bačka Palanka was sold at a price that is 25 times greater than the initial one, which is a quarter of a million, although it does not own any property. Already the first auction sales have brought attention to a few names that have nothing to do with the media, but which appear as buyers of several,

Journalism in Serbia has hit its bottom and I do not see how we can continue to sink

Minority News 5 But one should ask the question whether the media owned by the government has fulfilled its role so far? Have they served the public interest? Have they been critical of local authorities? profession, has flown gradually. Journalism in Serbia has hit its bottom and I do not see how we can continue to sink. As for the media, which should now turn to the new owners, I cannot say that the citizens of any municipality would be deprived of any information. Maybe they will be deprived of the in - formation to which they have been used, but I'm not sure whether it was ever the information that was necessary for the public. I mainly refer to the mu - nicipal media, the privatization of which has been discussed since 2007, and for which the deadlines have been pro - longed for a long time. Now we are faced with the situation where every - thing is done in a ‘helter-skelter’ manner, "This was the first year in which the that's not exactly the best model, and all because everything must end by Octo - funds were distributed according to the of these irregularities should be re - ber 31”, said Krajnović. new model. The first positive thing is dressed in the upcoming competitions. that now everyone has the opportunity There were set ups, political influence, (AB)USE OF PUBLIC INTEREST to participate in the competition, and settings up of committees, but in at least Privatization means that the media, shift is also evident in the fact that the half of the municipalities it has worked which have survived up to now due to committee that makes decisions by ma - decently," said Krajnović, who sees the recurring revenues from municipal reg - jority vote must be composed of repre - project financing as a step towards the isters, will lose that source of financing, sentatives of independent media objective information. and it is feared that many will not sur - organizations and journalists' associa - vive. tions, where independent members of MINORITY MEDIA "Yes, some municipalities will lose local Special feature in this story of the priva - information. It is certainly regrettable. tization of the media is the fate of pro - But one should ask the question grams that are broadcast in the whether the media owned by the gov - The new media owners will languages of national communities. ernment has fulfilled its role so far? Have have to keep minority "The new media owners will have to they served the public interest? Have programs in their current keep minority programs in their current they been critical of local authorities? form for at least five years. form for at least five years. What will Once again, with honourable excep - What will happen afterwards, happen afterwards, nobody knows. No tions, but most of these media, which nobody knows. No radio, no radio, no television frequencies were will perhaps be abolished, has never had television frequencies were given for a lifetime, and it should be any editorial policies like the public serv - given for a lifetime, and it borne in mind. Otherwise, I see no rea - ices!", said Pressburger. should be borne in mind son why the new owners, who will even - What the media can expect now is proj - tually buy electronic media that have ect financing, but that's where the trap the commission must be in the majority, programs in minority languages, would called political influence lies, which, as which means that they can always out - eliminate these programs as soon as shown by this year's competition, can - vote the representatives of municipal they are given a chance. Why would not be ignored. authorities. As it turned out this year, they do that? On the one hand, they can compete for certain funds intended for maintenance of programs in minority languages, on the other hand it may be profitable from the marketing point of view to broadcast minority programs in regions where the minority population comprises the majority", Pressburger was optimistic. Perhaps this optimism is in place, be - cause support of programs in the lan - guages of national communities was promised by the Provincial Secretary for Culture and Public Information, Slaviša Grujić, who, at the presentation of the publication of Minority media - generat - ing capacity, emphasized that it is impor - tant for the media at local or regional Perhaps this optimism is in place, because support of programs in the languages of national communities was promised by the Provincial Secretary for Culture and Public Information, Slaviša Grujić

Minority News 6 The law requires that the state must withdraw from ownership of the media, and all media must be either privatized or shut down level to inform about the developments in national communities, and in his opin - ion the existence of such media, as well as their stable funding, should not be an issue. The privatization that is in progress is re - lated to the media founded by the Na - tional Councils of National Communi- ties, but they must fight for their survival in the harsh market, said the director of Magyar Szo paper, Rozalija Ekres, and her solution is merging. "I refer to merging and joint approach to the advertisers, or the enlargement of the common market which we offer to our advertisers through our print, and now electronic, media. This means that such an approach would allow an adver - tiser to place his ad or commercial not to a population of 250,000 people, which makes the Hungarian population, ice that would work on appropriate prin - months, when the real intentions of but to 50 or 60 thousand Slovaks, 50,000 ciples for the public interest, they should those who appear as buyers today are Croats and other national communi - be allowed to make it happen", stated made known. Are they willing to invest ties", said for our newspaper the direc - Pressburger. their money or they only want to get tor of the Hungarian daily paper. their hands on the media to grab more This is only an idea, but it could be a of the state dinar from another source, good thing. It is best known to the elec - Serbia, as small as it is, is a are the interests of political parties be - tronic media that were once merged in unique example with two hind it all, what interest is there for ANEM and participated in joint market - public services. In my opinion someone who invests hundreds of thou - ing, where depending on the listeners of one public service, and in our sands of euros in media, knowing that their program, they each received a case two, are quite sufficient. he cannot return on investment, and piece of the marketing cake. If RTV Vojvodina has a bureau many other issues that are open for in each town in Vojvodina, weeks to come. I only hope it will not be WHO NEEDS A REGIONAL SERVICE? what is the purpose of some as in the case of sale of the media from The law requires that the state must regional services? Maybe the seven or eight years ago, when most pri - withdraw from ownership of the media, fact that people who are vatizations went "wrong". and all media must be either privatized used to live off the money or shut down. However, before the from the municipal registers IS THERE A REPORTER HERE? adoption of the law there were some continue to live on other "It is often said that by the privatization votes that called for a so-called regional people's backs? of media, the citizens will be deprived of public services, which would provide in - information about local topics. What are formation to citizens on issues of impor - However, Slobodan Krajnović, who is on local issues? In most cases in our country tance for a specific region . the "other side", or from the media that local reporting is reduced to reporting in "As for the idea of regional or local public was privately owned from the start, favour of the ruling parties, regardless of services, it can be discussed. The biggest does not look kindly on the idea of re - which party is in power. problem would be of course the funding gional public services. People in the media that are in the mu - of such forms of public services. Citizens "Serbia, as small as it is, is a unique ex - nicipal property are no longer recog - are not either willing to finance the ample with two public services. In my nized as journalists, but simply as provincial or the state public service, and opinion one public service, and in our servants who work for the current gov - I doubt that they would be delighted case two, are quite sufficient. If RTV Vo - ernment and deal with issues imposed with some new charges to maintain ad - jvodina has a bureau in each town in Vo - by it, meaning they engage in positive ditional media. jvodina, what is the purpose of some propaganda reporting of what the au - For me, it would be ideal if each local regional services? Maybe the fact that thorities are currently doing. I'm not say - community would declare a referendum people who are used to live off the ing it does not exist in the private media, whether it wants the local/regional pub - money from the municipal registers con - but its presence is far less than in the lic service in their surrounding and it tinue to live on other people's backs?“, municipal media", said Krajnović and un - should finance it through subscriptions. Krajnović reflected critically to this idea. derlined that the media are dominated If a local community is sufficiently ma - What will the privatization of media by the parties, a process that started in ture and ready to finance its public serv - bring about will be clearer in a few the early two thousands.

What will the privatization of media bring about will be clearer in a few months, when the real intentions of those who appear as buyers today are made known. Are they willing to invest their money or they only want to get their hands on the media to grab more of the state dinar from another source

Minority News 7 Catholic community The Catholic Church Helps Migrants Church communities can lose ownership of their cemeteries - Religious education teachers are in trouble due to combined classes Source: Magyar Szo The Bishops of the Catholic Church in Serbia had a meeting in Subotica. the Bishop of the Church of the Zren - The topics of the meeting were discussed by Mr Stanislav Hočevar, the janin County. Bishop of Belgrade, Msgr. Dr Laszlo Nemeth, the Bishop of Zrenjanin, and Mirko Štefković, the Bishop of Subotica. The Bishops highlighted According to the Bishop, due to the ob - thUe opportunities to help migrants and refugees passing through Serbia as a sep - struction of government bodies many arate issue. They said that the phenomenon is beginning to spiral out of control decision have been lost, and the Resti - because there is no clear international strategy or a clear stand for control of the tution Agency has not acquired the humanitarian problem. missing documents as its duty instructs, - Caritas of the Roman Catholic Diocese reach 15 (the number of students although it is required to do so under the of Subotica has been helping migrants in needed for the minority classes is 5, but law. Kanjiža and Subotica for months. On the the Bishops say this is interpreted rather According to him, the Law on Public border the situation is more severe, freely), which has drastically reduced the Services, which is being prepared, is of namely the Red Cross and UNHCH are class load of religious education teach - crucial importance for the church, since not allowing us to have direct contact ers, so the problems with the employ - according to the draft of the said law, the with refugees. They did not allow it even ment contracts have arisen, because state would confiscate the property right when the Apostolic Nuncio, Dr Orlando schools cannot register such teachers for of historical church communities over Antonini, visited Horgoš2 on Wednesday full-time work. the cemeteries. According to the Bish - and on Thursday to distribute the aid ops, this would mean that the govern - packages - said Laszlo Nemeth. - The Bishops welcomed the Roman visit of the President Nikolić who met with ment would practically nationalize the Caritas has two containers for the ac - the Pope at the Vatican. Both found that cemeteries owned by the churches, commodation of migrants which em - the Catholic Church has a very positive which would threaten the provisions of ploys two people. At Horgoš, 500 aid role in the Serbian society and that it the Law on Church Communities. He packages were distributed and in a short contributes to its development. We added that officials have no communi - time 200 thousand euros for the assis - want this to remain the case in the fu - cation with them regarding the cemeter - tance to migrants was collected. ture, meaning this approach must be ies that were taken away from the taken into consideration when returning church in the sixties by a single decision They also talked about the fact that the the church property. Today, the situation of the city, although these cemeteries school system has much more stringent is almost worse than a few years back, it have not been nationalized. regulations in force as of September almost feels that there is not only a lack first, which is why classes with a smaller - We have been working for five years on of political will, but that there are also the restitution of our parish registers, number of students are joined together concrete steps involved in order for the so that the number of students would the Catholic Church has fulfilled all its certain issues not to be resolved - said legal obligations, but the process was still terminated. Serbian government simply does not answer any of our ques - tions regarding that issue. It is incompre - hensible to us, on what basis does the Minister Ivica Dačić give away official passports, as he does it in a rather arbi - trary manner: some people get such passports, and some do not get any - said Laszlo Nemeth. Catholic Bishops have stated that Serbia continues to broadcast the program of Radio Maria and expressed the hope that they will get regional and national frequencies from the relevant state or - gans. Caritas has two containers for the accommodation of migrants which employs two people. At Horgoš, 500 aid packages were distributed and in a short time 200 thousand euros for the assistance to migrants was collected

8 Minority News Bunjevac community

COMMEMORATION OF THE BUNJEVAC NATIONAL HOLIDAY – DUŽIJANCA DAY CLOSED THE XIV FESTIVAL OF BUNJEVAC FOLK CREATIVITY Celebration of Grain, Bread and All of

the BSouurcen: Bjunejevavc Naatiocna l CPounecil ople

o crown the hard work of our farmers and as a symbol of togeth - picked this day for their national holi - erness, bread should keep our community in harmony. Dužijanca day because it symbolises the love of Day, one of four national holidays of the Bunjevac national mi - Dužijanca and what she represents as a nority, was officially celebrated on Monday, August 17, and was custom, the essence of the Bunjevac organized by the Bunjevac National Council. This year Dužijanca was held people - said on that occasion the Pres - T ident of the National Council of the as part of the XIV Festival of Bunjevac folk creativity, which is included in the events of special importance of the Town of Subotica. Bunjevac national minority. On behalf of the town, the gathered Celebration of one of the best pre - them of Serbia and solemn Bunjevac people were addressed by the Deputy served traditions of the Bunjevac peo - song, the most solemn, and also the Mayor Tomislav Veljković, who congrat - ple began by gathering the participants most beautiful moment of the Duži - ulated the holiday, and confirmed that dressed in Bunjevac national costumes janca Day was when this year's bandaš the Town attaches great importance to in front of the Bunjevac Heritage Foun - (lead reaper) couple Milica Tumbas and the Bunjevac people. dation, where the parade was accom - Bojan Kozma, Presidents of the Council, "This is a very important day for the panied by tamburitza players who then handed over the bread made from the Bunjevac national community, and I can moved on to the main square where, new grain, with the words that "the say also for the Town of Subotica. For to the delight of a number of passers- bread symbolizes togetherness and let the first time this year, we have decided by, the Great Bunjevac round dance it therefore keep our community in har - to include the Festival of Bunjevac folk was played. Following the tradition, mony." creativity in the events of special im - President of the NSBNM mr Suzana - "Dužijanca Day" is a celebration of the portance for the Town of Subotica. The Kujundžić Ostojić, laid a wreath before new wheat bread, it is a celebration of festival, which marks the Dužijanca Day, the bust of Reverend Blaško Rajić, after a fruitful year that we have marked for is extremely important for the culture which the celebration continued with centuries in different ways. Sometimes of the Town of Subotica and for togeth - the Solemn Academy in the Great Hall only in the fields and on farms, and erness, since only togetherness of a of the Town Hall. from 1911 in the church, and since range of ethnic minorities, a range of After the intonation of the national an - 2006 the Bunjevac National Council has On behalf of the town, the gathered people were addressed by the Deputy Mayor Tomislav Veljković, who congratulated the holiday, and confirmed that the Town attaches great importance to the Bunjevac people 9 Minority News The festival, which marks the Dužijanca Day, is extremely important for the culture of the Town of Subotica and for togetherness, since only togetherness of a range of ethnic minorities, a range of nations, makes this town a town of peace nations, makes this town a town of peace and a town which provides hos - pitality and the coexistence of all the townspeople of Subotica" - concluded Veljković. Among the many guests who attended the Solemn Academy, was the Advisor of the Office for Human and Minority Rights, Vlado Radulović. He congratu - lated this holiday to all the Bunjevac, and he said that the Office has had an excellent collaboration with the Na - tional Council of the Bunjevac national minority for many years, and expressed his certainty that it will continue to be so in the future. "The National Council works well in those four areas in which it accom - plishes its jurisdiction - education, in - formation and official use of language and alphabet and culture, and I am left to hope that in the coming period the Bunjevac National Council will continue to work in the same way, and perhaps to an even greater and better extent"- the birth of Bishop Ivan Antunović, the Gubec" Primary School, talked about he said. poem "Welcome Bunjevac and Šokac the importance of bread. The Solemn Academy was accompa - Newspaper" from 1870 was read in his The program was embellished by the nied by a special program, by the read - honor, while the youngest members of folklore ensemble BKC "Tavankut" with ing of the Journalistic article on the first the Bunjevac cultural center "Ta - a number of Bunjevac folk dances. Dužijanca held in the church in 1911, vankut", who are taught an elective After the Solemn Academy, the guests and since this year the Bunjevac com - course of Bunjevac speech with ele - and participants of the "Dužijanca Day" munity marks two hundred years since ments of national culture at the "Matija moved on towards the restaurant "Spartaks", where the Bandašica round dance was traditionally played.

The National Council works well in those four areas in which it accomplishes its jurisdiction - education, information and official use of language and alphabet and culture, and I am left to hope that in the coming period the Bunjevac National Council will continue to work in the same way, and perhaps to an even greater and better extent

The program was embellished by the folklore ensemble BKC "Tavankut"

10 Minority News Bosniac community Roundtable on Discrimination of National Minorities Held Source: Bošnjačko nacionalno vijeće

Vice-President of the Bosniak National Council, Vasvija Gusinac, participated in the round table in Belgrade organized by the newly appointed Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, for the representatives of National Councils of National Mi - norities in Serbia within the Project "Let Equality Become a Reality," which is funded by thPe Government of Norway. In her address, the Vice-President of BNV Gusinac Herzegovina, and in the first Bosnian language spoke about the economic discrimination against grammar and dictionary, which was published as Bosniaks and citizens of Sandžak, and how all re - much as two hundred years before the Serbian ports state that Sandžak remains the most unde - dictionary. Bosnian language is standardized and veloped region in the country where the index of recognized by all legal acts, so that every denial human development is much lower compared to constitutes a violation of individual and collective other regions in Serbia. rights of Bosniaks in the Re - public of Serbia. Vice-Presi - The Vice-President particu - The Vice-President dent Gusinac emphasized larly emphasized that the de - particularly emphasized that that the acquired rights must nial of the Bosnian language, not be denied and dimin - which is present as the topic the denial of the Bosnian ished, but must instead be re - in the media these days language, which is present as spected and promoted. through the representatives the topic in the media these of the Serbian Academy of days through the Commissioner Janković in - Sciences and Arts, is inappro - representatives of the vited the representatives of priate as it delves into the vi - Serbian Academy of Sciences National Councils of National olation of the right to identity Minorities to file complaints and human dignity. Bosniaks and Arts, is inappropriate as it for protection against discrim - have always called their delves into the violation of ination in a greater number, mother tongue Bosnian, the right to identity and as it may have effect on the both in the literature of human dignity improvement of the protec - Sandžak and Bosnia and tion of their rights.

11 Minority News NEWS Janković: The Abolition of Bilingual Signs Lowers the Level of Minority Rights mbudsman Saša Janković, in a letter to the Croatian colleague Lora Vidović, expressed his regret for this decision which, as he said, "lowers the rights of the Serbian minority in Croatia," reported Tanjug. HOe believes, he says, that the Om - constant upgrade of the individual and budswoman will take advantage of the collective rights in this area. full range of her competence if she deems it necessary. In the letter, Janković pointed out that a lot of justification for such an approach In a letter published on the website of lies in the fact that the right of citizens, the Ombudsman, Janković stated that, members of national minorities, to the as is the case with most of ombudsmen equal official use of mother tongue and in multi-ethnic states, including Serbia alphabet, is part of Europe's Heritage. and Croatia, he is obliged to pay special attention to respect of the rights and "Guarantee and protection of that right, freedoms of national minorities, includ - an obligation which, formally and legally ing the Croatian national minority living has been adopted by both Serbia and in Serbia. Croatia, and ratification of multilateral agreements and the provisions of the As stated accordingly, he continuously national legislation, ensure the preser - pays special attention to the consistent vation of the linguistic identity of people implementation of the laws that protect belonging to national minorities, cultural the language rights of national minori - and linguistic diversity, as part of the Eu - ties in Serbia, appreciating the impor - ropean and World Heritage", pointed Latin and Cyrillic alphabet, does not con - tance of the official use of minority Janković in the letter. tribute to the stated goals and will cer - languages for the realization of citizens' tainly hamper the implementation and rights, but also to the preservation of all Because of this, he believes, the decision protection of related rights throughout languages as part of the cultural wealth of the town of Vukovar to abolish bilin - the region, because extreme nationalists of Serbia, taking measures to provide gual signs, which were written in both of all colours are going to hold onto that. The Municipality of Zemun Halts Forced Evictions of Roma ommissioner for Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, welcomed "Such a selective approach to solving the the decision of the municipality of Zemun, which has suspended the problem of illegally constructed build - procedure of forced evictions of the residents of the Roma settlement ings raises serious doubts that it is a Grmeč in Zemun in line with the recommendations of the Commis - structural discrimination of Roma na - sioner, until they are provided permanent accommodation. tional minority in Serbia", stated Bran - TChe Commissioner urged local and city kica Janković. authorities to comply with the standards of respect for fundamental human Residents of the informal settlement rights, legal and constitutional obliga - Grmeč in Zemun, received decisions tions and the international regulations, from the building inspection of the mu - in such and similar cases in the future. nicipality of Zemun in June, by which they were ordered to remove their own She added that it is a worrying phenom - facilities where they live within a day, all enon that the demolition of illegal build - under the threat of execution. In this set - ings inhabited by Roma is incomparably tlement there are about thirty Roma more common than the demolition of il - families, mostly those displaced from legally constructed buildings that are in - Kosovo. habited by the majority of population. 12 Minority News This newsletter is funded by the Open Society Foundation, Embassy of the United States of America in Belgrade and the OSCE Mission in Serbia. Opinions expressed in Minority News newsletter do not necessarily represent the official positions of the Governments and and organizations that fund this project.