Declaration on discrimination and violation of human rights of Bosniaks in Serbia

Representatives of Bosniak’s organizations, institutions, government officials, at the meeting held in Novi Pazar on July 4th, 2009, adopted and proclaimed:

D E C L A R A T I O N

I

We express our concern due to evident and continuous violation of human, especially religious, rights of Bosniaks and Muslims in Serbia.

We condemn unconstitutional and illegitimate treatment and discriminatory attitude of Ministry of religion toward Islamic community.

Due to irrelevant statements of the Minister of religion, Mr Bogoljub Sijakovic, because of the visit of Reisulema Dr Mustafa Ceric to Sandzak, we assent public demand of Islamic community for him to resign the position of Minister.

II

We condemn economic discrimination of government bodies toward citizens of Sandzak, whereas, we demand urgent program for recovery of the industry in this region.

III

Due to the deficiency of the Republic of Serbia Constitution human rights and minority rights are violated. We demand from the authorized government bodies to start the procedure for the change of the Constitution in accordance with the Declaration of Bosniak’s political parties from October 2006.

IV

In accordance with the principles and standards of European regionalism in the process of decentralization and regionalization of Serbia, in the future constitutional and legislative solutions, we demand from the governmental bodies to recognize the value of particularities of the Sandzak region, what understands its integrity with Novi Pazar.

V

From the Bosniak’s representatives in Parliament and the Government of Serbia, we demand not to accept future administrative breakdown of Sandzak region.

VI

We demand rapid passing of Law on national councils, in accordance with European standards.

VII

Participants of this meeting are accordant that this body became permanent forum with the aim of routine and casual attitudes taking concerning the important questions for the Bosniak’s people and Sandzak region.