WOMEN IN BLACK

I received this from an old friend and tireless ally, Tina.

I encourage everyone to visit this website and support the worldwide efforts of Women In Black.

FROM WOMEN IN BLACK 
WOMEN'S FEMINIST-ANIMILITARY PEACE ORGANIZATION

http://www.zeneucrnom.org/

We are addressing the public with a great concern over the racist violence against the Roma population.

Because of the recent crime, when a Roma boy killed his peer, a Serbian boy, Serbian inhabitants of the village Jabuka are smashing the windows of the houses owned by Roma families, the windows of the Methodist church; also, one house is set on fire. All that violence happened in presence of local police officers, who did nothing to prevent violence. Belated response of the Prefect of the Pancevo Police Department and the mayor of Pancevo just enhanced the fear of Roma families, whose members did not dare to go out from their houses in days.

Racist violence against Roma is common. Latest Amnesty International report also notices violation of human rights of Roma in Serbia. Serbian institutions in charge have to show political will in order to prevent political violence against Roma population. International responsibility of members of Serbian institutions is to respect human rights of minorities and to protect security for all the citizens, regardless of their names or their ethnic, racial, religious or sexual orientation or identity.

We call civil society organizations to join us, to react and to put pressure on the government in similar cases, when human rights are violated, because that is our activist responsibility. Also, we are asking the member of the institutions in charge, first of all the Ministry of internal affairs and judicial authorities, to penalize the perpetrators of the attacks.

Women in Black, along with Roma women’s groups, will visit the Roma population in Jabuka tomorrow, on the 17th of July, at 10:30 am, in order to show our solidarity and offer our support.

Women in Black

Joined organizations:

Women for peace, Leskovac

SOS Hotline for Women and Children, Victims of Violence, Vlasotince

Reconstruction, Women’s Fund, Belgrade

Voice of the Difference, Belgrade

Labris, Belgrade

Esperanca, Novi Pazar

Regional Minority Center, Belgrade

Roma Association “Danica”, Pancevo

Center for cultural affirmation, Dimitrovgrad

Center for Peace and the Development of the Democracy, Belgrade

Roma Association, Novi Becej

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THE ROMANI OF EUROPE
"Petition of solidarity with Roma deported from France"


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/romasolidarity
.