Other titles:UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION (UNTV) ZAGREB COLLECTION, YUGOSLAVIA [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Part one of a UNTV investigation on the rights of Serbs in Croatia.
Description: Presented by Martina Balazova. The crew interview Serbs living in two villages near Ogulin.
In the first village, Dreznica, more than 40 kilometres from the seperation line, only one of the eighteen Serbs spoken to said that it was harder for Serbs to find employment. Almost 800 Serbs live here and most people believe that Serbs do not face discrimination there. One old woman said that it was harder for Serbs to find jobs and that is why many have moved away.
In the second village of Dubrave, the separation line is only two miles away and the Serbs were far less willing to speak openly to the camera about their treatment by Croats and the Croatian authorities. Two old women say that they are afraid to go out into the street because that is where “the extremists” are and there may be “shooting”. When pressed, they say that several people were killed in 1991 and 1993 and many people left because they were afraid. Now the village is mainly home to the old, who suffer from loneliness and are isolated, waiting for their children and grandchildren to visit. One young man who remained, says that it is difficult to lead a normal life when people feel insecure and while both sides continue to demonise each other there is little space for dialogue.
UNTV took their findings to the Croatian authorities. The Vice President of the Republic of Croatia, Prof. Dr. Ivica Kostović stressed that Serbs have the same rights as other citizens and no more laws are needed to implement this. If individuals have complaints they should take them up with their MP or local authorities. He says that is remains a priority interest of the Croatian government to intergrate all residents into a diverse, but unitary, Croatia. However the American Ambassador to Croatia says that though the majority of Serbs receive equal treatment there have been problems for the minority in terms of job discrimination and evictions.
Alternative Title:UNITED NATIONS TELEVISION (UNTV) ZAGREB COLLECTION, YUGOSLAVIA [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:English (Tape Code A)
Digitised:
Object_Number:UNT 548
Sound:Croatian (Tape Code C)
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1990-2000
Production Date:1994-12
Production Country: UN
Production Details: Balazova, Martina (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: English (Tape Code A)
Sound format: Croatian (Tape Code C)
Soundtrack language: Serbian (Tape D)
Technical Details: Format: Beta-SP
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Running time: 14 mins 35 secs