The Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Natasa Micic, today received a delegation of the Coalition for Reconciliation, on occasion of the tenth anniversary of the tragic incidents in Sandzak, when innocent civilians and their property suffered.

From 15 to 27 February 1993, several attacks were organised against villages in the Municipality of Priboj; a number of Yugoslav citizens were also abducted from a train travelling from Belgrade to Bar, in the village of Strpci. Most of these events, as well as other similar acts, were never fully solved, neither before the appropriate bodies nor with respect to the general public.

The aim of the Coalition for Reconciliation, made up of non-governmental organisations and individuals, is to ensure a democratic future for Serbia in Europe, which is possible only by establishing mutual trust in the region. To this end, it is important to bring to light all human rights abuses perpetrated in the wars waged during the last decade. A precondition for this aim is the return of dignity to all victims, as well as to citizens of Serbia in whose name these crimes were committed.

The delegation of the Coalition for Reconciliation informed the Chairperson of the suffering of civilians in Sandzak and asked for help to initiate a public debate in state institutions about crimes committed on Serbian territory and about the responsibility of the perpetrators. The Chairperson offered all possible assistance and personally pledged her support to full cooperation between the state and the civil sector in the upcoming institutional reforms.