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Romas unwanted in Belgrade suburb
5 April 2009 | 10:41 | Source: B92
BELGRADE -- Some 50 Boljevci residents last night prevented a group of Roma families evicted from their shanty town in New Belgrade from spending the night there.
Romas protesting in Belgrade (FoNet)
Romas protesting in Belgrade (FoNet)
The dislocated Roma were to be given temporary accommodation in housing containers placed in this neighborhood.
But the Boljevci locals blocked the road and threatened to set on fire three containers there at the time.
There were no serious incidents, mostly because only representatives of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, OSCE and the World Health Organization were there.
The Romas, who lived in an illegal settlement where 50 out of 350 ramshackle homes were razed to the ground by bulldozers on Friday, were not at the scene of the protests.
They instead spent another night without a roof over their heads waiting for the issue of their accommodation to be solved.
Belgrade city authorities, which ordered the demolitions in order to make way for an access road to be used in the Student Games 2009, yesterday met with international organizations and ministries, and agreed to provide temporary accommodation.
Solidarity Appeal: Support Roma Housing Struggle in Belgrade, Serbia
http://www.youtube.com/pravonanaseljetv
Today, Roma organizations and allies in Belgrade, Serbia are organizing a demonstration in response to the demolition of the Roma community's housing units in Block 67 situated in the New Belgrade. The violent and surprising move to destroy peoples homes and an entire community was organized by the City of Belgrade authorities with the support of Belgrade City Major Dragan Djilas. Your solidarity is needed!
On Friday morning (April 3rd), the forcible and violent eviction of Roma families living in the Block 67 neighborhood began. The residents of this community say that the demolitions began during a surprise invasion beginning at six in the morning led by heavy police presence and special forces. Police brutality resulted in an emergency evacuation of two women from the community. Peoples entire belongings were left behind in the ruins. A part of the community is now spending the night in front of the City Council. They are without warm clothes, blankets, food, and medicine (many people had to leave them behind). Residents say that during the day unidentified youth on motorcycles were provoking and instilling fear in the community.
In the meantime, no alternative housing has been secured by the city government, nor is anyone taking care of these needs. Belgrades Major Djilas announced that it is "necessary that they be removed from that area so that we can build a new boulevard necessary for the development of the city, and holding of events being planned in the future." He also threatened to deploy police forces to remove any protesters attempting to bloc the streets. These actions were preceded by a media campaign that justified the expulsion of Roma living in New Belgrade under "security" and "city image" considerations in the lead up to the Universiad 2009. Through his statements, Major Dragan Djilas has contributed to the fascist relationship towards Roma citizens and justified the destruction of their homes. as An "alternative" the city officials are suggesting to remove the building of a fence around the community so that "the city's deformities won't be seen during the Universiade."
Does this mean that the Universiade will be paid for with human lives if necessary?
Our fellow citizens who have been left without home are determined to fight for their rights, their right to life, freedom, housing and work.
Today (Saturday) at 1pm a protest is being organized against the brutal behavior through which the Belgrade government prefers to solve the city's problems. Support people that have been thrown onto the streets in this violent way. We must stand in solidarity with the Roma of Belgrade, we must not allow that people's houses are destroyed, that fascist walls are built and that people are fenced into ghettoes!
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5.4.09 rusenje blok67 opis licne situacije zena iz prve barakeby pravonanaseljetv2,051 views
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