VUKOVAR: EXODUS FROM SERB CONCENTRATION CAMPS MARKED

VUKOVAR, Aug 14 (Hina) - The Croatian Association of Prisoners of Serb Concentration Camps commemorated in Vukovar on Wednesday the tenth anniversary of their exodus from Serb concentration camps. #L# According to evidence kept by the association, around 8,000 non- Serbs passed through Serb concentration camps. This number relates to people who spent more than 15 days in detention, while the number of those who passed through the camps in transit or spent one or a few days in detention, is much higher. It is estimated that dozens of thousands of Croats and other non- Serbs passed through Serb camps during 1991 and 1992. According to data kept by the association, about 30 to 40 percent of the prisoners in camps were killed. Because of the extent of the suffering, torture, abuse, and killing, the president of the association, Danijel Rehak, announced that the association would probably file charges against the Yugoslav Army this autumn. The charges will not only ask for criminal proceedings against those who were involved in abusing and torturing prisoners, but also damages will demanded for the time spent in those camps. Rehak announced the possibility of suing the Croatian state as well. He added that Serbs who had been involved in the war against Croatia received pension allowances from Croatia, were recognised years of service, and were even secured jobs, while at the same time people who had been detained in camps, particularly labour camps, did not gain any recognition from the state. In memory of those killed, a wreath was laid and candles lit at the memorial cemetery to the victims of the Homeland War in Vukovar. (hina) sp ha