Serbian criminal countries stole newborn children who were declared dead in hospitals

Mirjana Novokmet was born in a Serbian hospital in 1978. She has not yet seen her child, but 40 years later, she still hopes.

Novokmet is one of the thousands of parents in Serbia who say their newborns have been declared dead in hospitals, but their troops have never been handed over to them, while accompanying documents have been unconvinced or have not existed.

Although no one knows the exact number of babies that have disappeared in Serbia, there are several thousand reported missing newborn cases dating back to the 1970s.

The cases have created speculation that children were stolen from criminal gangs and that they are still alive.

These allegations have increased because of the large number of cases that have occurred under similar circumstances and medical staff have not allowed parents to see children's bodies, not respecting protocol.

Serbian authorities say they cannot investigate allegations after the statute of restrictions has passed.

Five years ago, the European Court for Human Rights has declared Serbia guilty of human rights violations on this issue and has ordered lawmakers to resolve the fate of missing babies.

Authorities in Belgrade continue to debate bills to determine facts.

Despite years of pressure from parents' groups, the government has been slow to take action.

For Novokmet, who heads the Parents' Group in Belgrade, the debate among lawmakers does little to end decades of suffering.

I've tried not to look at other children, fearing I'll get to know my child. I haven't seen my child, I haven't identified him and I haven't got to bury him. So there is reason to believe that my child is alive”, Novokmet told Balkan Radio Service Free Europe.

In 2010, Serbia's ombudsman, Sasa Jankovovic, has blamed the government for the problem, which a year later has disbanded a working group that was considering cases, saying they are outdated and that a constitutional amendment is needed for their prosecution.

At the time, Zorica Jovanovic, another mother with missing children shortly after she was born, has taken the case to the European Court for Human Rights, which then ruled in her favour and has given her 10,000 euros in compensation.

In March 2013, the court has given the Government of Serbia a year to create ways to damage parents, but this deadline has passed with very little results.

After making this decision, we have started going to different state institutions. Most of them have not been aware of the decision or of the fact that it is mandatory for the Republic of Serbia”, Novokmet said.

In April, parents have stepped up pressure on officials with a protest against a bill the government is debating, saying it focuses on financial reparation and avoids creating a procedure for investigating what happened to missing children.

Our suggestions, our thoughts or ideas, but they have come up with the bill they have personally wanted”, Novokmet said.

Meho Omerovic, leader of the parliamentary Committee for Human and Minority Rights, has discussed the proposed law, known as the Missing Focus Act, with damaged parents.

He's pushing the government to address parents ' concerns instead of trying to pay them.

I think it's important to talk to these parents, to understand their suffering, their pain and their desire to learn the truth, whatever it is, because that's the only thing they want”, Omerovic said.

“It is a shame to send message to parents that their missing baby is worth 10,000 euros”, he told Radio Free Europe.

Bogdan Janjich is a father who has never received documents or evidence after being told that his baby died two days after his birth.

He believes his son is alive.

"Somebody has sold my son and this has made my life hell”," Janjiq said.