Appeal of the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals

The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals expresses deep concern further to information that Sergey Belous, young Ukrainian scientist, analyst and journalist, went missing. According to the news released by the Serbian media (the National Broadcaster RTS, magazines “Pečat” and “NSPM”), Sergey Belous and another journalist were detained by the members of the Ukrainian National Guard on 2nd August 2014 on the road from Rostov to Donbas. Their driver had also initially been detained but was released later on. However, there was no further information about Belous since his detaining. The Ukrainian National Guard is under the control of the Kiev authorities.

On behalf of its members and friends in the country and across the world, the Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals hereby appeals to the relevant Ukrainian authorities as the ones responsible for the security and unimpeded work of journalists, to disclose details of this detaining and whereabouts of Sergey Belous, and to immediately release him.

At the same time, the Forum appeals to the national journalist societies in Serbia, most notably to the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) and the media in Serbia, to initiate appropriate initiatives and mechanisms at the international level aimed at urgent release of Sergey from the detainment that occurred as he was exercising his journalist duty.

Sergey Belous has been present in Serbia over a longer period of time, preparing his doctoral thesis on the “Case of Kosovo and Metohija”. The gathering of appropriate documents and material for the scientific thesis eventually led him to the books and publications of the Belgrade Forum. Since late 2013, Sergey became a regular attendee of expert meetings dedicated to international topics, organized by the Belgrade Forum. Since January through the beginning of April 2014, he volunteered in preparations for, and organization of, the International Conference “Global Peace Versus Global Interventionism and Imperialism”, held in Belgrade on 22 – 23 March 2014.

In parallel, Belous has been actively cooperating as journalist and analyst with several media in Serbia, most notably “Pečat”, which published a series of highly acclaimed comments about the root causes and the consequences of conflict in Ukraine. He took part in a number of scientific and expert events in Serbia, the Republic of Srpska, in Kosovo and Metohija, always as a welcome and much esteemed, objective and fair analyst, especially among the ranks of young scientists and post-graduate students. They all share our deep concern for the fate of Sergey, and eagerly hope to hear the news of his release as soon as possible.

Belgrade, 4th August 2014

STEERING BOARD
BELGRADE FORUM FOR A WORLD OF EQUALS