[KAN-Info] Candles lit in protest of the Dead Kidnapped Kosovar Children

[Naida Dukaj]

NEW PROTEST ACTION WITH LIGHTED CANDLES HAS STARTED FOR DEAD KIDNAPPED
KOSOVAR CHILDREN AT THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS
OF THE CHILD, SATURDAY 20TH OF NOVEMBER 2004. THIS PROTEST ACTION WILL
CONTINUE EVERY DAY UNTIL THEY ARE RELEASED FROM SERBIA

At the 15th International Day for Convention on the Rights of the Child
Sweden-Kosov@ Friendship Union (S-K.F.U.) and K.A.N started together the
third LIGHT CEREMONY in Sweden and around the World which will continuing
until the release of the Kosovar children bodies from Serbia. This action is
made to remembering the children and grief with the parents in Kosova who do
not have a grave for their child. Sweden-Kosov@ Friendship Union and Kosova
Action Network (K.A.N.) urge everybody in Sweden and around the World to
keep on lighting one candle in the window every evening until the Serbian
release of the dead kidnapped Kosovar children. This as a symbol that we
will keep on fighting the darkness that is falling outside. Thereby we will
show the world that we will never give up our struggle! Mothers and fathers
in Kosova is still desperately waiting for Serbian authorities to release
the dead kidnapped Kosovar children who were killed during the war in Kosova
1998-1999 and then transported to Serbia. Serbian military forces did it to
cover the traces of ethnic cleansing.

The first time S-K.F.U. did the LIGHTED CANDLE CEREMONY was at the weekend
6-7th of November, a special weekend in Sweden when Christian people go to
the graveyards and show their respect to bellowed one’s. The weekend is
called All Saints weekend. The second time S-K.F.U. did the LIGHTED CANDLE
CEREMONY was at the first day of Bayram (Eid) and was made at the graveyards
around in Sweden. The first and second time was symbolic made at graveyards.
This to remember the world that not all persons have a grave to go to and
thereby be able to show respect to there bellowed one’s. This is supposed to
happen according to Muslim tradition at the first day of Bayram (Eid), which
was at Sunday 14th of November 2004. The 2nd LIGHTED CANDLE CEREMONY at
Bayram's first day was an authorised action by the Imam of the Kosovars in
Sweden, Mr. Kadri Zogaj.

The kidnapping of dead Kosovar children to Serbia and the refusal of the
Serbian authorities to release them is according to us a violation against
Convention on the Rights of the Child. Serbia-Montenegro signed the
Convention 8 Oct 2001 and ratification was made as late as 31 Jan 2003
( See: http://www.unicef.org/crc/crc.htm ). This short time period from
ratification until today indicate that the Serbian authorities should not
already have been able to forget what they are committed by the Convention.

It is stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child that Kosovar
children must be treated as Serbian children " ..without discrimination of
any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal
guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or
other status.". And it is also stated that " States Parties shall take all
appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms
of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities,
expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or
family members."

( Article 2) The Convention on the Rights of the Child continues with " In
all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private
social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or
legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary
consideration."

(Article 3). In the best interests of the child it must be for Serbia to not
continuing hurting their parents by refusing them a grave for their child.
Of course no normal child wants to hurt their own bellowed parents by
refusing them a grave to visit if the worst thing would happen with the
child. Thereby Serbian authorities are violating Article 2 and 3, as we
understand it. If You want to read the Convention on the Rights of the
Child:

http://www.unicef.org/crc/fulltext.htm


If you want to contribute further on please send your protest to:

UNICEF Belgrade
S. Markovica 58
11000 Belgrade
Serbia and Montenegro
office at unicef.org.yu

Regional Office for Europe
UNICEF
Palais des Nations
1211 Genève 10
Switzerland
info at unicef.ch

Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund
Ms. Bellamy
Headquarters
UNICEF House
3 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017
U.S.A.
information at unicefusa.org

To everybody who reads this newsletter S-K.F.U. and K.A.N. urge You to
forward this message or/and to put it at homepages around the world in
English or/and in other languages. In ability to counting all the protests
send a copy of Your protest to:

Sweden_Kosov at spray.se

For further information contact:
Anders Wessman, Sweden-Kosov@ Friendship Union, +46 707 65 20 58
Alice W. James, Kosova Action Network, +1 207 767 72 89


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