FM Alert, Vol III, No. 18
Reply-To: [email protected]
Sender: [email protected]
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 16:19:16 +0300 (EET DST)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: FM Alert, Vol III, No. 18
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Paulette Layton <[email protected]>
FM Alert, Vol III, No. 18
FM Alert, Vol III, No. 18
May 7, 1999
HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS: KOSOVO WAR ERODES SUPPORT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN
RUSSIA
NATO's bombing campaign in Yugoslavia is damaging efforts to foster
civil society in the former Soviet Union, according to two leading
Russian experts on human rights and the rule of law. "There has been a
terrible explosion of anti-Western feelings," said Lyudmila Alexeeva,
the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, referring to the Kosovo war's
impact on public opinion in Russia. Boris Topornin, a professor at
Moscow's Institute of State and Law, said NATO raids in Yugoslavia are
perceived by many Russians as constituting an arbitrary use of force
that erodes support for Western values. "People can see a double
standard," said Topornin. "There is no rule of law, only bombs." Both
Alexeeva and Topornin were featured speakers at a roundtable
discussion on May 7 on human rights and the rule of law in Russia,
sponsored by the Forced Migration Projects. The possible erosion of
support for civil society would increase the difficulties in finding
humane arrangements for refugees and displaced persons in Russia.
Alexeeva warned of potential dire consequences in Russia if Western
democratic countries do not address civil society-related issues. She
added that the fragile Russian democracy could give way to a more
authoritarian system. "It is important that links with the West not be
destroyed," Alexeeva said. "Links to the West serve as the main ally
in the effort to build civil society in Russia."
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE EXTENDS PROPERTY CLAIMS DEADLINE
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Carlos Westendorp has
authorized an extension of the deadline for filing claims seeking the
restoration of property and tenancy rights to socially-owned
apartments in the Federation. The new deadline is July 4, 1999. The
High Representative based his action on powers granted to him by Annex
10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement. In a press release, the office of
the High Representative said the results of a survey showed that
claims have been filed in relation to about 75 percent of the
abandoned apartments in the Federation. However, the High
Representative also cited "several problems" with property legislation
that "must be solved before the [filing] deadline can be allowed to
expire." Westendorp called for several amendments to the Law on
Housing Relations designed to facilitate claims and promote the return
of pre-war occupants. Federation officials have pledged to work with
the High Representative's office on identifying possible solutions,
which might facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees and
displaced persons to their pre-war homes. The deadline extension does
not pertain to Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb entity. The deadline
there remains June 19.
(For additional information see FM Alerts of April 23, March 23 and
February 5).
ARMENIA ADOPTS LAW ON REFUGEES
The Armenian government has adopted a Law on Refugees that aims to
provide the displaced with a greater sense of security. Under the law,
those applying for refugee status will receive a decision on their
status request within one month. Those denied status have the right to
appeal. In general, refugees will share the same rights as citizens,
except that they will not be able to vote in national or local
elections, hold elected office, or be an official member of a
political party. According to the law, those refugees who lack
citizenship are eligible to apply for documents that would permit them
to travel abroad. Armenia is already home to upwards of 300,000
refugees, most of whom fled neighboring Azerbaijan during the fighting
over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. The new law grants automatic
refugee status to all those who arrived in Armenia between 1988-92,
and who did not previously receive refugee status. It also declares
that refugees are eligible to become naturalized Armenian citizens,
but it does not specify naturalization procedures. The Law on Refugees
was drafted in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees.
(For additional information see FM Alert of December 10).
For more information contact:
The Forced Migration Projects
400 West 59th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10019
tel: (212)548-0655
fax: (212) 548-4676
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.soros.org/migrate.html
--
==============================================================
MINELRES - a forum for discussion on minorities in Central&Eastern
Europe
Submissions: [email protected]
Subscription/inquiries: [email protected]
List archive: http://www.riga.lv/minelres/archive.htm
==============================================================