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Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia and
its Novi Pazar-based youth group organized outreach events in
Prijepolje, Sjenica and Novi Pazar. During the events, the youth
handed out flyers with messages promoting tolerance and
non-violence.
Outreach event in Prijepolje took place on 28
July. The youth in Prijepolje made a short video about the local
population’s perception of extremism. The film that attracted many
viewers was shown outdoors, in front of the Prijepolje Cultural
Center. Youth group members wrote anti-extremist messages, such as
“Extremism is dangerous to life!”, “I cheer for tolerant
Prijepolje!”, “Extremism is not a ball for us to play with” and hung
them on the clothesline in front of the Cultural Center. Before and
after the screening of the film, the audience was invited to write
their own messages of peace and tolerance.
A musical concert was organized in Sjenica on 29
July. Members of the youth group came up with several messages for
the flyers that they distributed to the passersby, such as
“Different is good”, “Stretch out your hand, be human”, “One life =
the whole humankind”, etc. Halfway through the concert, the
coordinator and a member of the youth group addressed the audience.
They emphasized the importance of tolerance and countering violence
in the community, motivating the local population to join their
efforts in promoting tolerance.
The event in Novi Pazar took place at the city
swimming pool on 8 August. Members of the youth group and their
peers were wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Reach freedom, jump
over extremism”. A banner reading “Tolerance has limits – extremism
cannot be tolerated!” was hung on the pool fence. The youth also
distributed hats with slogans “Keep your head from extremism” to the
pool visitors. Throughout the event, a music band played at the
pool.
Outreach events are organized with the support of
the US Embassy in Belgrade as a part of the program “Reach Out
Sandzak II”.
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