First
edition of the BHRN Yearbook (2001) is titled: “(Un)Even
Partners—Political Conditionality in Relations with
the Balkan Countries” , while the second issue
(2002) of the Yearbook, printed in two volumes, deals with
the “Police and Human Rights in the Balkans”.
All received comments on the BHRN Yearbooks that were received
until now, are extremely positive. Significant number of copies
was distributed to all relevant institutions in the region.
Third issue of the BHRN is in preparation. Stay tuned for
that!
For more details, please contact editor in chief, Ms. Milica
Delevic at delevicm@EUnet.yu
Balkan Yearbook
of Human Rights 2003
“Human Rights Education in the Balkans”
Foreword to this edition: The present Yearbook
is the third one of the series published in the framework
of the Balkan Network for Human Rights. The collected papers
reflect same of the aspects from the work of this Network.
It is evident from them that the main goal of the organization
is uniting efforts to give a modest contribution in establishing
a democratic society in the Balkan countries. It is understandable
that democracy nowadays is not only an aspiration of our region,
but it also has become a global ideal, inspiring millions
of people in all the continents. however, for the South- Eastern
Europe countries emerged from the severe communist dictatorship,
the ideal freedom, democracy, human rights, formerly unknown
and for a ling time violated, assumes a specific value and
importance. Because of the historical and social circumstances
of their development, our countries show many differences
with other countries, and as a result, the ways to build up
a democratic order are different even within the region. From
this angle, the papers included in the Year- book are also
important to the exchange of experience to date accumulated
by the member organizations of the Network, an experience
which could be of great value to all. Among the papers of
the collection the attention is called to the good experience
of Sarajevo University (Bosnia-Herzegovina) in the successful
use of the modern information technology for promoting and
implementing human rights; on the other hand, Croatia carried
on a good work in procuring the pensions of the aged people;
Serbia also made interesting comparisons between the explanation
of the theoretical principles and their implementing to the
practice, adapted to the specificity of the community in which
they are applied. Albania on her part has found and used effective
ways and methods in training the students graduating from
the teacher preparing faculties with theoretical and practical
knowledge on the human rights, and was also successful in
the efforts to integrate to the social life of the country
the children from various ethnic minorities, in particular
Romany minority. It is clearly seen from the papers of the
Yearbook that through a painful road overcoming many difficulties
and obstacles Kosova brings to our region a valuable experience
on the establishment of a new juridical system. Without wishing
to be overlong, I think that these few facts clearly speak
about the indisputable values of the present Yearbook for
the, exchange of the experience accumulated until today through
the member organizations of the Network.
The papers collected in the book, giving
concrete cases from the countries of our region, give the
possibilities to draw same general conclusions, theoretically
and practically important to the present and the future of
the Balkans. Thus, from them it is evident that democracy
can be only established in a country from build up citizens,
well acquainted with and ready to implement the great principles
of the freedom and human rights, and that citizens of this
type cannot be by themselves built up, they are to be systematically
educated, following a well studied program, on the base of
which lie s the philosophy of the human rights, and its deep
understanding from theoretical and practical point of view.
From the papers of the present Yearbook it
is evident that in general this education is understood and
is correctly implemented bearing in mind specific characteristics
of the region countries, and the social categories with which
the work goes on. It is a positive fact that the member organizations
of the Network are working to introduce a new spirit into
the region, in order to change the bad image of the Balkans,
which the European diplomacy so long has branded through the
terrible metaphor of the "powder keg", a region
that produces quarrels, conflicts and war. They aim to transform
the region in an oasis of peace, understanding, coexistence
and friendly relations between different peoples and ethnic
groups, upon which the historical destiny decided to live
and develop close to each other not as enemies, but as friends.
Apart from the theoretical and practical
writings, the Yearbooks gives a review of the publications
in the field, among them on methodical books, manuals and
works from well known authors, which discuss important international
documents providing definitions of and sanctioning fundamental
human rights and freedoms.
In the last part of the Yearbook are included
some of the projects implemented in our region in the frame
of the cooperation between NGOs of the Balkan Network. They
show that the coordination of the activities and the mutual
help of the region organizations is a guarantee for greater
achievements in the future, for the strengthening of democracy,
in order to line with dignity the Balkans along with civilized
countries of developed Europe.
The Yearbook was prepared by the Albanian
Center of Human Rights (ACHR), Tirana, Albania.
Kozara KATI, Executive Director ACHR, Tirana,
Albania
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