Doc. 10262

3 August 2004

Situation of the Vojvodina Hungarians

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Gedei and others

1.       The Assembly is concerned that the situation in Vojvodina, Serbia is threatening the Hungarian population living in the area.

2.       It is particularly worrying that the atrocities and maltreatments of the Hungarian population are on the rise.

3.       The Assembly is concerned that the attacks carried out against Hungarian individuals and institutions in Vojvodina mark the deterioration of the situation and status of minorities in Serbia.

4.       The Assembly welcomes the recently adopted laws on autonomy, self-government and the protection of national minorities but notes that the protection of minorities in Serbia is not yet properly ensured and the framework for autonomy is still not satisfactory.

5.       The Assembly notes that particular government policies of helping the Serbian refugees settling down are creating tensions in Vojvodina and that the policies are against the spirit of the adopted law on the protection of national minorities.

6.       The Assembly welcomes the willingness of the Serbian government co co-operate in solving the issue and to prevent further acts of vandalism against Hungarian and other minorities in Serbia.

7.       Therefore, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers :

      i. to investigate the atrocities committed against Hungarians in Vojvodina;

      ii. make efforts to urge Serbian authorities to do their best to identify, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of these crimes;

      iii. take further measures to ensure that the dignity and integrity of minorities including Hungarians in Vojvodina are protected and minority rights in general are respected.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed ¹:

GEDEI József, Hungary, SOC

ALIBEYLI Gulamhuseyn, Azerbaijan, EDG

ATEŞ Abdülkadir, Turkey, SOC

ÉKES József, Hungary, EPP/CD

GOULET Daniel, France, LDR

GROSS Andreas, Switzerland, SOC

KELEMEN András, Hungary, EPP/CD

KLYMPUSH Orest, Ukraine, EDG

MERCAN Murat, Turkey, EPP/CD

SLUTSKY Leonid, Russia, SOC

STANTCHEVA Darinka, Bulgaria, LDR

SYSAS Algirdas, Lithuania, SOC

TABAJDI Csaba, Hungary, SOC

WOHLWEND Renate, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group