(IPI/IFEX) – Halim Hosny, a journalist with the German television station ZDF, has been refused an entry visa by Yugoslav authorities. Hosny applied for a visa from the Yugoslav embassy in Vienna, Austria on 23 July 1998. Despite persistent efforts on his behalf, he has, to date, received no official response. An article from the […]
(IPI/IFEX) – Halim Hosny, a journalist with the German television station
ZDF, has been refused an entry visa by Yugoslav authorities. Hosny applied
for a visa from the Yugoslav embassy in Vienna, Austria on 23 July 1998.
Despite persistent efforts on his behalf, he has, to date, received no
official response.
An article from the Tanjug news agency, which appeared in the newspaper
“Politika” on 4 August, is believed to be connected to Hosny’s visa
application problems. The story in question strongly criticised foreign
“journalists-manipulators” for their Serbian media coverage. The piece
disparaged Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Roy Gutman for his “false
reports” and charged Hosny with “deliberately overlooking real events and
facts, in the aim of winning over Western public opinion in favour of the
policy of violence and blackmail.” These allegations are categorically
denied.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
with the necessary accreditation to allow them into the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia and then permitted to conduct their professional activities
without harassment
immediately grant him a visa, and in so doing fulfil FRY’s obligations under
the various relevant international laws and covenants
Appeals To
His Excellency Slobodan Milosevic
President
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
email: slobodan.milosevic@gov.yu
Fax: +38 111 636 (775) / (682) / (167)Minister Zivadin Jovanovic
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Belgrade
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Fax: +38111 681 572
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
