| ERP KIM SERBS MUST
BE GRANTED RIGHT TO USE THEIR LANGUAGE AND CYRILLIC SCRIPT IN
ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC LIFE | |
|
SERBIAN ORTHODOX DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA INFORMATION SERVICE ERP KIM Info Service DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN SEEKS PROTECTION OF RIGHT TO USE CYRILLIC SCRIPT IN PUBLIC LIFE AND ADMINISTRATION Since the arrival of UNMIK in 1999 Cyrillic script has been almost completely eliminated from public life despite the fact that the oldest written monuments in Kosovo and Metohija were composed in Cyrillic GRACANICA November 14, 2002 The Diocese of Raska and Prizren and Kosovo and Metohija most strongly protests the aggressive campaign which has been waged for the past three years by Kosovo Albanians with the goal of marginalization of Serbian Orthodox culture, language and traditional Serbian Cyrillic script in Kosovo and Metohija. Recently lack of tolerance toward Cyrillic has been especially obvious in the new institutions which declare their multiethnicity but in practice are supporting the Albanization of all segments of society and erasing the last vestiges of centuries of Serb existence in this region. One of the most recent examples of discrimination towards the Serbian language, script and cultural identity is the recent refusal by authorities in the Kosovo and Metohija parliament to consider the comments on the draft law on telecommunications submitted in writing by Mr. Randjel Nojkic for no other reason except that these comments were written in Cyrillic. This reaction is completely unacceptable and represents a flagrant example of institutional discrimination. The arrogant and rude behavior of the Albanian deputies in the Kosovo and Metohija parliament clearly shows that this institution is being publicly misused for the violation of basic human rights and freedoms, among which are the rights to preserve one_s national and cultural identity, as well as to use one_s own language and script. After the end of the war in 1999 Cyrillic script has been literally erased from public life despite the fact that the oldest written monuments in this region were composed in Cyrillic, which was preserved for centuries even under Turkish rule. Unfortunately, international representatives are placidly tolerating the Albanian campaign against Cyrillic, and all official documents which international institutions prepare in Serbian and public signs (which have not been crossed out or altogether removed) are written exclusively in Roman script, which is unacceptable and represents a form of cultural discrimination against the Serb people. The Serbian Orthodox Church, which is the oldest institution of the Serb people, appeals to authorized international representatives to protect the legitimate right of the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija to the use of traditional Cyrillic script in administration and public institutions. |
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/decani/message/71372
