Appeal of the YHCA of Moldova
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001 14:10:28 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: Appeal of the YHCA of Moldova
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Natalia Sineaeva <[email protected]>
Appeal of the YHCA of Moldova
APPEAL
of the Youth Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Moldova
The world has been changed after the tragic events of September in the
USA. Extremism became the most dangerous threat for the humanity. In
that situation there is not more important human task than to keep our
main values and condition of modern civilization - democracy, rule of
law, tolerance and respect of all human beings irrespective of their
ethnicity, race or political opinions.
Unfortunately, in our country there are people, who try to use world
instability to solve their own interests. Persons with ethnic
backgrounds, which are different of that of the majority, become their
first victims. Eastern Europe, especially its poor countries, is a
blessed ground for the manipulation of opinion of the citizens. Today
we witness attempts of some political leaders to raise xenophobia and
to use it to enhance their political capital as well as to marginalize
their political opponents.
Parliamentary inquiries by a group of extreme right-wing Moldovan MPs
about the alleged existence of "terrorists" among the students of
Arabic origin in the International Independent University in Moldova
is an example of this. Another is a campaign unleashed by the Moldovan
Authorities against the former honorary consul of Lebanon, Mr. Mahmoud
Hamoud, stripping him of his official position as well as of Moldovan
citizenship by a Presidential decree, without this person having ever
been given any possibility to defend himself against the accusations.
Moldovan Citizenship Law was changed just on the eve of this decision
and ostensibly with this aim in mind, given the President the right to
strip of citizenship without proper court proceedings.
As of now no proofs of guilt were presented to the public, and Mr.
Hamoud was forced to leave the country having no possibility of legal
defense. Unfortunately, many Moldovan media representatives, including
governmental newspapers, distribute official information without
bothering to check it independently.
On the eve of 9th November, the International Day against Fascism and
anti-Semitism, we would like to draw the attention of the politicians
to the danger of using ethnic factor in political struggle (directly
or indirectly) and of instigating different forms of "phobias" as a
method of political fighting. This irresponsible behavior can
ultimately lead to negative consequences even for those who started
it.
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The Youth Helsinki Citizens' Assembly of Moldova (YHCA of Moldova) is
a non-government national non-profit citizens' association, which has
as its purpose the building of civil society in Moldova. The YHCA of
Moldova have been founded in 17.09.98 and officially registered in
19.11.98. The YHCA of Moldova craves for promotion of the European
democratic ideas and values in the country. The main purpose of the
YHCA of Moldova is the promotion of human rights in the country with
the involvement of youth. The organisation devotes itself to the
realisation of ideas and principles laid down in the OSCE Helsinki
Final Act (1975) and Prague Appeal of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly
(1990) among youth and by means of youth.
Tel: (+373 2) 24 34 66
Email: [email protected]. [email protected]
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