[kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce: Serbs must release Kosovars

[Kosova Task Force, USA]

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Kosova Task Force, USA
Action Alert
6.22.1999


DALLAS KOSOVAR YOUTH SEEKS RELEASE OF IMPRISONED ACTIVIST MOTHER

Nick Brovina of Richardson, TX worries that his mother will not survive the
torture and lack of medical attention she has suffered at the hands of the Serb
army.  The treatment of humanitarian activist Dr. Flori Brovina is being
protested by the national office of Amnesty International, the Red Cross, and
Pen International (an international writer's organization).
 
Dr. Flori Brovina was arrested in Kosova two months ago by Serb troops, was held
in prison there and tortured for an extended period.  When the peace talks
began, she was transferred to a prison in the Serbian town of Pozharezc.  Dr.
Brovina is partially paralyzed and suffers from increasingly poor health as a
result of her treatment. Without medical care it is feared that she will not
survive.  Dr. Brovina's case has received intensive coverage in the Serb and
Albanian media, where rumors of a death sentence are circulated.   

"My mother is being held because she is a witness to countless incidents of
brutality who will not be afraid to speak the truth to the media and courts of
justice," says her son Nick Brovina.  "We are requesting fair treatment for her
according to the rules of the Geneva convention.  She needs medicine and access
to a physician, and to be able to communicate with her family."  

Dr. Flori Brovina from Pristina, an author of 4 books of poetry and a
pediatrician, was president of the non-political National Women's Organization
of League.  She is deeply respected as one of the leading humanitarians in
Kosova.  Her group provided humanitarian assistance to women and children during
the recent 15 year period when most Kosovars were removed from their jobs, and
families lived on the charity of Albanians living abroad.  

When thousands of women and children were internally displaced by the military
actions that began in March of 1998, she set up a Rehabilitation Center that
provided emergency assistance, blankets, and food to the destitute.  She also
established a humanitarian Nazmi Gaffuri, a medical service for internal
refugees supported by Oxfam, International and Doctors of the World provided
assistance to the latter organization. 

During the recent invasion by Serbian troops and forced evacuation of much of
the civilian population, each day Dr. Brovina led teams of women into the
forests where people were living in hiding.  They also canvassed the villages
near Pristina, offering treatment to the wounded and traumatized. There is no
doubt that her efforts saved countless lives and gave hope to others.

For further information, please contact:

Anne Marie Weiss-Armush
Coordinator, Dallas Kosova Refugee Committee
aweiss at airmail.net
972-458-7007


ACTION REQUESTED:

Call your policy makers to tell them that there is no peace without justice for
the Kosovar Albanians


TALKING POINTS
€ There have been many Kosovars arrested/detained by the Serbians as they
withdraw from Kosova.  This action is unacceptable, and the Serbians cannot be
allowed to mistreat these innocent people.
€ Dr. Brovina, and all Kosovars being held captive, should be treated in
accordance with the Geneva Convention.
€ War crimes must be documented.
€ War criminals must be arrested and prosecuted.


President Bill Clinton 
ph: 202-456-1111
e-mail: president at whitehouse.gov

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright 
ph:202-647-6575
e-mail: secretary at state.gov

Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Senator Jesse Helms
ph: 202-224-4651
e-mail: jesse_helms at helms.senate.gov


====================================
Kosova Task Force, USA 
730 W. Lake St., Suite 156
Chicago, IL 60661, USA
Phone: 312-829-0087 Fax: 312-829-0089 
Email: Kosova at justiceforall.org 
Internet: http://www.justiceforall.org
====================================


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