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I L O G
Amendment to the European Basic Rights Charta Dear Mr. President, on behalf of the associated organisations we would like to make the following amendment we welcome and support the notion that a person has the right to a dwelling as well as to property and equally possess the right to safeguard these claims. However, we must insist that this essential concept not only be directed towards today’s injustices but also consider those which were committed over more than 50 years ago, like is being exemplary examined by the present Court on War Crimes in former Yugoslavia. One ought not lightly disregard the fact that the treachery of former totalitarian, especially communist, regimes was mainly dedicated to the organised and systematic destruction of established social structures, confiscation of private property and mass displacements. Unfortunately, the numerous victims are still waiting for justice to be done. Even in so-called "advanced democratic" countries property claims have not been resolved in a satisfactory manner, due to insufficient political interest and prejudiced legislation. Instead of restituting unlawfully confiscated properties several countries have even preferred to continue the unjust practices of former communist governments by selling those properties under state control, bypassing the original owners with norms containing discriminatory provisions, committing thereby yet another injustice. To be able to amend inequities of the past and stop further from occurring, we kindly request that the reparation of the latter are separately addressed in the Charta and that the many victims of totalitarian regimes are treated with due respect in order to reinstall their faith in democracy. Furthermore, the adequate resolution of property claims ought to be a prerequisite for the entrance in the European Union. Yours sincerely, Cooperating Organisations ARE, AGO, BJD, Schutzgemeinschaft Eigentum in Deutschland [Germany]; SUVLAH [Croatia]; IS.FI.DA [Italy]; ZLRP [Slovenia]; American Owners of Property in Slovenia, Focus Group [USA and Canada]; Committee for Private Property Inc.[Romania]; The Czech Coordinating Committee, IDAC [Lithuania], Lithuanian-American Community, Inc. |
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This page compliments of Paolo Benoli and Alexandra Mareschi Created: Sunday, February,
2000. Last Updated: Sunday, February 20, 2000. |
