We strongly condemn the construction of a wire fence that began on June 16, 2009 thereby enclosing a Roma settlement in Block 67 in Novi Beograd. Erecting a fence around this settlement, which is located in the immediate vicinity to areas used by the Universiade, threatens the right of its residents to move about freely and to use the only water source which is located outside of the settlement.

Workers from Universiade Belgrade 2009, with the presence of police, began construction of a barrier in the form of a wire fence and plan to entirely enclose this Roma settlement for the duration of Universiade. According to witnesses, police officers were verbally offending the residents in a racist manner, demanding to show IDs without any probable cause, and ordering them to stay within the fenced-off area. The residents are disturbed and claim that they never expected for a fence to be put up because of Universiade.

We do not agree that in the name of safety and portraying a positive “image” of the city that the basic human rights of our fellow citizens are violated. We request that the person/group in charge immediately stop further construction of this fence, demolish what has already been done, and allow the settlement’s residents freedom of movement. In addition, we ask that in the coming days the residents be provided with drinking water and additional resources to improve the hygienic and sanitary conditions in the settlement.

Belgrade, June 17, 2009.

Regional Centre for Minorities

The members of Coalition against Discrimination support this press release:
Anti Trafficking Center
The Center for Advanced Legal Studies
Committees for Human Rights in Serbia (CHRIS)
Gayten
Gay-Straigh Alliance
Inicijativa za inkluziju VelikiMali
Labris – lesbian human rights organisation
Association of students with disabilities
The Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights