SERB ASSOCIATION PROTESTS KLA SUPPORT RALLY

GRAZ, SEPTEMBER 29 /SRNA/ - The Association of Serbs in Styria has sent a letter of protest to the authorities in Graz over an Albanian diaspora rally held in response to the first-instance verdict against former KLA leaders, calling for a public condemnation of the glorification of convicted war criminals, anti-Serb messages, hate speech and symbols it described as warmongering.

The letter said that convicted war criminals were glorified during the Albanian diaspora protest and that symbols expressing territorial claims were displayed. It called for equal respect and institutional protection for Serb victims, as for all others. "Neither the nationality of perpetrators nor that of victims should be a criterion for the application of institutional and legal standards", the Association said. It recalled that senior Austrian officials and members of the European Parliament had previously made clear that the glorification of convicted war criminals was incompatible with the fundamental values of the EU. The Association called on Austria's federal institutions, the authorities of Styria and representatives of parliamentary parties to act consistently and equally, and to clearly and publicly condemn the glorification of convicted war criminals, anti-Serb messages, hate speech and symbols it described as inciting conflict. It also asked the relevant authorities to determine whether Austrian laws or public order had been violated during yesterday's rally and to discuss appropriate measures with representatives of the Serb community. "Silence in such a situation could be interpreted as a sign of double standards," the Association said. The Association of Serbs in Styria stressed that it remained committed to dialogue, the democratic order and peaceful coexistence, while calling for the Serb community's rights to equality, security and respect for victims to be fully upheld. The article states that on September 16, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague sentenced four former KLA leaders to a combined 81 years in prison for war crimes. Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli received an 18-year sentence, and Rexhep Selimi was sentenced to 13 years.