Croatia: Tensions in Vojnic against Returnees

On Thursday, 27 February 1997, a group of 100 - 150 people gathered in Vojnic demonstrating against the return of Serb refugees from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Otvorene Oci understands that the police quickly dispersed the crowd, and there was no violence reported. However, since the demonstration there have been two attacks on the property of returnee Serbs in the Vojnic area.

The protest revolved around rumors of a UNHCR return of Serb refugees. It was reported that protesters were expecting a large number of returnees, two to five busloads, directly to Vojnic. However, UNHCR does not return refugees to their homes but only transports them to Zagreb. Also, the number of returnees was less than a bus load. According to UNHCR, lists of those returning from FRY are given to the Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees a few days before returns take place. Also, Croatian registry offices are notified of people who have received citizenship in Eastern Slavonia. Thus, local authorities should have a clear picture of who is returning, and where they most likely want to live.

The first attack occurred the night of the demonstration. At 10:00 p.m., an explosion near a returneeÆs house of broke four windows. Police told the owner the explosion was caused by a homemade device. On Saturday morning, 1 March, graffiti appeared in the street near this house reading "Serbs out," while on a neighboring Serb-owned house "Death to the Serbs" was painted. In total between Friday and Saturday, anti-Serb graffiti appeared on at least eleven buildings in Vojnic.

A second incident took place on 2 March. At 10:30 p.m., an explosive device was thrown onto the attic floor of the partially destroyed home of a returnee couple. The explosion produced a six-inch hole in the ceiling next to the familyÆs bedroom. The couple, who first arrived in mid-January, had just returned two-weeks prior after spending the winter with relatives in another part of Croatia. When the couple first arrived, they were threatened by their neighbors, Bosnia Croat refugees, and so went to stay with relatives after only two weeks in Croatia.

Otvorene Oci, along with the Karlovac Committee for Human Rights and ECMM, spoke with both families involved in these incidents.

Following the 24 February bombing of a returneeÆs home in Karlovac, these incidents again raise concerns about the need for greater security and community support for the return of Serbs displaced by the military actions, "Storm" and "Flash." Otvorene Oci suggests that citizens should be constructively involved in the process of refugee return and be given appropriate information.

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