Serbians fight for their homeland
Katherine Gottli
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: News
Twice over the last month, close to 5,000 people have taken to the streets in Toronto in protest of international law.
Serbian Canadians, in protest of the illegal unilateral separation of Kosovo from Serbia, took to the streets, accompanied by other Canadians who do not support the separation, to encourage the Canadian government - who has currently not made a decision either way - to not recognize the separation of Kosovo. The separation violates the United Nations Charter, Helsinki Final Act, UN Resolution 1244, and thus becomes a matter of international law and a concern not only for Serbia, but for countries all over the world.
Bojan Ratkovic, a Brock University student, along with four other students from the University of Toronto came up with the idea to organize the protest, and what they were able to achieve was monumental.
"People have definitely responded more positively to the fact that young people have taken the initiative to get politically involved and to stand up for International Law and for the victimized Serbs in Kosovo," according to Ratkovic. "Both our protests were attended mostly by younger people, which sends a clear message that our cause is not a relic of the past but instead a banner held up by the younger generations, in whose hands rests the future of this country."
Marko Petkovic and Jasmina D.* attended the protests in Toronto, and their sentiments about the camaraderie and passion of the students attending the protests was unforgettable.
"By protesting, the people showed their support for Serbia and the Serbian people living in Kosovo. Also, Serbs, as well as other ethnic groups in Canada, all united together in the hopes that Canada will not recognize the independence of Kosovo," Petkovic said. "The protest was held in a peaceful manner, some speeches were made, and overall the people seemed to be in good spirits, hopeful that their voices will be heard by the Canadian federal government."
There was little negative backlash from the ethnically diverse Toronto. As Jamina points out, "Our goal was to get together peacefully, and show Canada and the world that we do not agree with what is happening in Kosovo" .
Serbian Canadians, in protest of the illegal unilateral separation of Kosovo from Serbia, took to the streets, accompanied by other Canadians who do not support the separation, to encourage the Canadian government - who has currently not made a decision either way - to not recognize the separation of Kosovo. The separation violates the United Nations Charter, Helsinki Final Act, UN Resolution 1244, and thus becomes a matter of international law and a concern not only for Serbia, but for countries all over the world.
Bojan Ratkovic, a Brock University student, along with four other students from the University of Toronto came up with the idea to organize the protest, and what they were able to achieve was monumental.
"People have definitely responded more positively to the fact that young people have taken the initiative to get politically involved and to stand up for International Law and for the victimized Serbs in Kosovo," according to Ratkovic. "Both our protests were attended mostly by younger people, which sends a clear message that our cause is not a relic of the past but instead a banner held up by the younger generations, in whose hands rests the future of this country."
Marko Petkovic and Jasmina D.* attended the protests in Toronto, and their sentiments about the camaraderie and passion of the students attending the protests was unforgettable.
"By protesting, the people showed their support for Serbia and the Serbian people living in Kosovo. Also, Serbs, as well as other ethnic groups in Canada, all united together in the hopes that Canada will not recognize the independence of Kosovo," Petkovic said. "The protest was held in a peaceful manner, some speeches were made, and overall the people seemed to be in good spirits, hopeful that their voices will be heard by the Canadian federal government."
There was little negative backlash from the ethnically diverse Toronto. As Jamina points out, "Our goal was to get together peacefully, and show Canada and the world that we do not agree with what is happening in Kosovo" .
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
~mila~
posted 3/17/08 @ 9:07 AM EST
I think that it is disgusting that a nation that not more that 7 years ago were bombing the 'heart' of their homeland is now protesting to keep it. the serbs have never lived in peace for the reason that they have never chosen too. (Continued…)
Andreja
posted 3/17/08 @ 9:21 AM EST
The above post is true, not only did the Serbs form and then ruin the former Yugoslavia but wanted to completely abolish Kosovo a few years ago. For them to be protesting now to keep it is more confusing to a poli sci major than anything. (Continued…)
Bojan Ratkovic
posted 3/17/08 @ 10:31 AM EST
1. Serbia never bombed its Kosovo province. You're thinking of NATO. Check your facts.
2. Serbs will not appologize for participating in wars such as WWI and WWII fighting against imperialists and Nazis, and their Albanian and Croatian allies. (Continued…)
John Ronald
posted 3/23/08 @ 9:30 PM EST
Guess what, no one gives a fuck about international law, it means nothing.
International court system = nothing.
God and the U.N. the most useless organization in the world give me a break. (Continued…)
Bojan Ratkovic
posted 3/23/08 @ 10:47 PM EST
Serbs committed genocide? Let's see some proof of that. What rubish. Not even NATO claims that bs anymore, now they say "attrocities". Way to buy into war-monger propaganda. (Continued…)
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