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The IHF has consultative status with the United Nations and the
Council of Europe.
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HE Vojislav Koštunica
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Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia
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11 Nemanjina St.,
Belgrade
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Vienna, 8 May 2004
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Via facsimile +381-11-3617
609
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O P E N L E T T E R
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Dear Mr. Koštunica,
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I am writing on behalf of the International Helsinki
Federation for Human Rights (IHF) to express concern about
the appointment of Mr. Radivoje Papović as Rector of the
University of Mitrovica (Kosovo) by Serbian Minister of
Education, Ljiljana Čolić, and to ask that you review and
reconsider the decision.
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Our concerns are of two kinds. First, the appointment will have
a negative impact on the tense ethnic situation in Kosovo, and
can be considered a provocation. This decision is likely to have
highly negative political and security consequences, which could
escalate the tense situation in Kosovo further.
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Mr. Radivoje Papović was formerly a senior official of Slobodan
Milošević’s Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS). During his tenure
as rector of the University of Pristina in the 90-ties, Mr.
Papović was responsible for designing and implementing policies
that were severely discriminatory against Kosovo Albanians.
Indeed, he was
one of the major creators and executors of President Milošević’s
repressive policies in Kosovo. He was, for example, personally
responsible for the expulsion of Albanians from work and studies
as of 1991 and blocked implementation of an education agreement
between Messrs. Milosevic and Rugova in 1996, by which Albanian
students would have been able to return to the university.
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The decision will damage relations between the Albanian and
Serbian academic community in Kosovo, relationships that can
help in reduce tension and contribute to reconciliation.
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What is more, in appointing Mr. Papović,
the Minister of Education of Serbia violated procedures and law.
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Following UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the
Constitutional Framework of Kosovo, as well as the Law on
Education in Kosovo, the University in Mitrovica is placed
within the legal framework of Kosovo. The decision to dismiss
the Rector cannot be valid if it has been reached in Belgrade
and not confirmed by any of the international or local
institutions in Kosovo.
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Furthermore, the measure is illegal under Serbian Law and
regulations. This has been pointed out in a press release of the
Union of the Universities of Serbia, which calls for
nullification of the decision. The Council points out that the
Minister does not have the authority under Serbian Law and
university regulations to directly appoint the new rector. They
also stress that this decision seriously infringes on the
academic freedom and autonomy of the University. Additionally,
as
Mr. Papović
is not a professor at the University in Mitrovica, he is not
eligible to be appointed its Rector.
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The International
Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) urges you to
reconsider the appointment of Mr. Papović
in light of these concerns. We will be
most grateful for your attention to this matter.
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Sincerely,
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Aaron Rhodes
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Executive Director
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Copies to: Harri Holkeri,
Special Representative of the Secretary General for Kosovo (SRSG),
UNMIK
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Marek Antoni Nowicki, Ombudsperson, Ombudsperson Institution in
Kosovo
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Javier Solana, EU High Representative
for Common Foreign and Security Policy
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European Union Presidency
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OSCE Delegations and Missions
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Council of Europe
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National Helsinki Committees
Joachim Frank, Project
Coordinator
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
Wickenburggasse 14/7
A-1080 Vienna
Tel. +43-1-408 88 22 ext. 22
Fax: +43-1-408 88 22 ext. 50
Web:
http://www.ihf-hr.org
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