International youth day marked in Kosovo (All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Even this year with many activities it is marked the International youth day with the only aim to acknowledge and recognize the efforts and dedication of young people around the world to improve global society. The main aim is advancement of youth role. Kosovo youth say that in our country youth rights are not well respected.
International youth day was also marked in Kosovo through many activities. Responsible bodies for youth participating in these activities state that International youth day should be marked with activities that make the young people feel as real part of the society.
On this occasion the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, UNICEF and GIZ supported 25 Local Youth Action Councils (LYACs), who through a joint project will present their concerns that will be subsequently addressed to relevant representatives of local and central level institutions.
“It is a very impressive thing that you have taken upon yourself to be leaders for your generation and it’s our highest priority at our closest held of duty to ensure that you are supported in every possible way to make that feasible.
The last thing that I would say about that is that along with the right, along with the opportunity comes the responsibility.
Let us keep in mind that as we are gathered here in Prishtinë/Pristina there are young people across Kosovo who may not have the same opportunity to represent their needs, who may not have the same opportunity to secure their rights, and you as leaders have an opportunity to help that happen for all young people in Kosovo.” (Monitor’s note: Joshua Harvey from UNICEF)
International youth day was promoted in 1999 through a special resolution of the General Assembly of United Nations, RTK1 reports.
President Jahjaga accompanied by US Ambassador Jacobson visited Graçanicë/Gračanica (All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, visited the Municipality of Graçanicë/Gračanica on this occasion she also visited the Graçanica Monastery.
After the meeting with the Mayor of Graçanicë/Gračanica Mr. Branimir Stojanović she stated that:
“Kosovo is built upon civic principles where all the citizens of all communities have equal rights and obligations.
On the other side the Mayor of Graçanicë/Gračanica Mr. Branimir Stojanović stated that there cannot be reconciliation between communities until the cases of crimes against Serbs will be brought to justice.
During the visit to Graçanicë/Gračanica the President visited the Diagnostic Center, the Graçanicë/Gračanica Monastery, a sports center and the health center in construction.
Stojanovic said that: “we have discussed many issues on which we agreed on, there is a lot of work ahead of us. Kosovo Serbs will play the bridging role. Not the bridge that divides but the bridge that joins. But there are serious problems like, how it will function the special court for war crimes and for the crimes that occurred in Gorazdevac and the bus case in Podujevë/Podujevo”. This is very important and without this there will not be reconciliation and a brighter future.”
On the other side Jahjaga stated that this visit is part of our institutional efforts to support the different projects and initiatives within the municipal level which deal with the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
Kosovo is a state of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity and religion and all the citizens have equal obligations and duties as foreseen by the Constitution and laws of the country.
We want that the Serb community in the whole territory of the Republic of Kosovo to feel free and safe and be a contributing part of all the advancement processes for our state, because Kosovo is home to all its citizens.
When asked when she will visit the northern municipalities, President Jahajga didn’t have an answer, but she stated that she has visited many municipalities and she will continue the same, KTV reports.
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga during the visit to the municipality of Graçanicë/Gračanica said that she supports the arrest of suspected extremists and that
Kosovo shall never be a nest of extremism.
The President of the Basic Court in Pristina Hamdi Ibrahimi told RTK that there is basis for the action that the police undertook on Monday when arresting the 40 suspects. Ibrahimi did not want to prejudice the final decision of the court.
Besnik Berisha, defence lawyer of the lawyer of Hadi Nura, said that “the judge is obliged to review all available evidence and that the arrest operation was carried out by violating the legal provisions. He also added that this is a politically motivated spectacle.”
After the hearing session the lawyers said that the suspects plead “not guilty” and that only four or five of them admitted participating in Syria’s liberation army, which they consider not to be a terrorist army.
RTK reports that the hearing session for the 40 arrested on suspicion of belonging to terrorist organizations ended in evening hours at the Basic Court of Prishtinë/Pristina and that the judge ordered a 48-hour detention for all the suspects.
Indictment filed for War Crimes against Ivanovic (All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Office of the Kosovo Special Prosecutor had filed an indictment against 5 people accused in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica. KTV finds out that among the arrested persons is Oliver Ivanovic who is accused of inciting war crimes in April 1999 and, along with another person, of inciting accessory to aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder in February 2000.
Three other suspects are accused for murder aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder in February 2000, states EULEX press release.
Ivanovic continues to remain in prison since when he was arrested on January of this year.
