(WiPC/IFEX) – Independent Serbian press agencies report that on 14 September 2000, the Nis District Court held a retrial hearing of the case of Flora Brovina, poet, paediatrician, and womenâs rights activist. The hearing was adjourned to 14 October. In June, the Serbian Supreme Court returned the case of Brovina, who had been sentenced in […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Independent Serbian press agencies report that on 14 September 2000, the Nis
District Court held a retrial hearing of the case of Flora Brovina, poet, paediatrician, and womenâs rights activist. The hearing was adjourned to 14 October.
In June, the Serbian Supreme Court returned the case of Brovina, who had been sentenced in December 1999 to twelve years imprisonment, to the Nis District Court for review. The first review hearing was held on 14 September during which Brovina reportedly maintained that she had not been involved with terrorist activities as charged. The hearing was adjourned for one month on request of the defence lawyers who argued that Brovina had not been given opportunity to prepare her defence as she had not been sent the details of the Serbian Supreme Courtâs decision on the case. Brovina also protested that she had been denied pencils and paper in Pozorevac Prison where
she is held, further impeding her preparation for her defence.
International PEN considers Brovina to be held only because of her denunciation of abuses of human rights in Kosovo by Serb forces. Her conviction on charges of terrorism, the organisation believes, has been fabricated as a means of penalising her for her non-violent activities towards Kosovo independence. It is calling for her release.
International PEN is further concerned by reports that Brovina has been denied writing implements while in prison, and calls on the prison authorities to grant her full access to pens and paper.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– welcoming the review of Brovinaâs case
– urging that the recommendation that she be freed on bail pending re-trial be met
– expressing hope that her case will be dismissed by the Nis District Court as being contrary to international standards safeguarding human rights
– urging that the clear violations of human rights standards be taken into consideration during the re-trial and that she not be required to spend further time in prison
– adding concerns that Brovina has been denied writing materials and urging that these be supplied to her as a matter of urgency
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Slobodan Milosevic
President of Yugoslavia
Savezna Skupstina
11000 Belgrade
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Fax: + 381 11 636 775
For those meeting difficulties with this contact number, try:
Mr Zivadin Jovanovic
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Fax: + 381 11 367 2954
PEN also recommends that letters of protest be sent to the Serb embassies in your own countries.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
