OSCE calls for greater participation of women, youth and people with disabilities in decision-making

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

On the occasion of the International Democracy Day, 15 September, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, called on institutions to ensure greater participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in the policy and decision-making process and has encouraged civil society organizations to advocate for the needs of those groups.

Ambassador Schlumberger addressed Mission’s conference organized for more than 40 representatives of non-governmental organizations, central and local level institutions in Prishtinë/Pristina who discussed best participatory practices and policies, as well as their promotion and implementation Kosovo-wide.

OSCE marks International Democracy Day with a conference

(RTK2)

How much are people with disabilities, women and youth involved in decision-making in Kosovo? Representatives of these groups had the opportunity to bring out their stances about this topic at the OSCE-organized conference held on Monday.

The 24-year old Slobodan Danic of Susica has a hearing problem since he was four, but he says that this is not an obstacle for him, and as a member of the Association of People with Disabilities in Gracanica/Graçanicë he is active member of social and public life in Kosovo.

However, as far as participation of women and youth in Kosovo’s social and public life is concerned, members of these two groups have different opinions.

“There are few women that are involved in either economic or political sphere… We recently started an initiative to protect and promote women’s rights,” said Nevenka Rikalo of Women’s Initiative Association.

“Over the last few years, there is an increasing number of young people who get involved in decision-making process through their participation in different bodies, these councils, above all, but also through direct work with the very political parties. This is one of the better ways that can make young people impact on decision-making,” stated Sanja Vukovic, representative of the youth council for Serb community.

“Today is the International Democracy Day, and since the OSCE mandate is related to support of democracy development in Kosovo, we have decided that it is important that today’s discussions focus on participation of youth, women and people with limited abilities in public life. It is very important to increase participation of these three categories of people in public life, because they must decide and must be involved in processes of all the levels in society. Of course, they must get involved in the work of local governments, municipalities, but they also must get involved in central level government,” Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger stated.

Besides the civil society representatives, representatives of Kosovo institutions also took part in this conference.

Assembly marks International Democracy Day

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Assembly of Kosovo marked the International Democracy Day without a single MP in it. Although citizens were able to visit the Assembly and get informed about its work, there was little interest about this. Even the ones that visited this institution had only the chance to meet with administration officers.

Citizens initially met with PDK MP Zenun Pajaziti at the PDK caucus offices, while it took them quite a while for citizens to meet LDK and Vetëvendosje MPs.

On the occasion of International Democracy Day, civil society organizations held a fair at the Assembly of Kosovo yard.

Driton Selmanaj, one of the monitors of Kosovo Assembly’s work, said that Kosovo is at the early stages of democracy. According to him, the fence around the Assembly also gives the impression that there is no democracy at all in this institution.

Meanwhile, Agim Vatovci of the ‘Muscular Dystrophy’ organization considers that there is only five percent democracy in Kosovo.

Kurti: PDK’s ascendancy ends this Thursday

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The end of PDK’s ascendancy will be confirmed on Thursday. This was stated by Vetëvendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti after the meeting he had on Monday with Isa Mustafa, Ramush Haradinaj and Fatmir Limaj.

In the meeting that happened without Serbs, Kurti said that he will not give additional clarifications to anyone and that everything is clear in the agreement reached with LAN bloc.

In the meantime, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said that the agreement between LAN bloc and Vetëvendosje is at the interest of all the people of Kosovo.

On the other hand, PDK MP Zenun Pajaziti said that in case that Assembly’s work will be blocked again than PDK will use all the legal space for electing the Speaker, which, according to him, belongs to this political party.

Zbogar calls on parties to overcome the institutional deadlock

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

The European Union Special Representative Samuel Zbogar once again called on political entities to find a solution for overcoming the situation created after the June 8 elections. He called for overcoming the institutional deadlock on Thursday’s session of the Assembly.

“We do not believe that elections are the first option. We think that politicians should do everything to find a solution,” Zbogar said during a visit to Prizren.

Zbogar reiterated that the international community does not want to interfere in such institutions, as they are here to observe.

“We do not want to interfere because Kosovo does not need our interference, and I do not believe that Kosovo wants our interference. We are here to observe and I believe that politicians will find a way forward,” EUSR Zbogar said.

Jablanovic: Vetëvendosje’s approach toward talks unacceptable

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

It seems that Vetëvendosje Movement is the biggest trouble to Belgrade. This at least was implied by Srpska List chairperson Aleksandar Jablanovic, who said that Vetëvendosje’s approach toward Prishtinë/Pristina-Belgrade talks and revision of Brussels Agreement are unacceptable to this caucus which is composed of nine MPs.

Jablanovic told Radio Free Europe that Srpska List and Serbian Government do not want someone from Vetëvendosje Movement to ask reciprocity in talks and that Kosovo and Serbia should talk like two independent states.

Jahjaga meets Thaçi, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies’ leaders

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

President Atifete Jahjaga met on Monday with PM Hashim Thaçi, Chief State Prosecutor Sylë Hoxha, Chairman of the Kosovo Judicial Council Enver Peci, Director of the Kosovo Police Shpend Maxhuni and Deputy Director of Kosovo Intelligence Agency Muharrem Ajeti to discuss current developments in Kosovo after the last meeting of the UN Security Council and on the verge of the forthcoming UN General Assembly meeting.

President Jahjaga pointed out the need for further harmonisation of the institutions mandated with protection of law and order in the whole territory of Kosovo, continuous implementation of the agreements with Serbia, facilitated by the European Union, and acceleration of the reforms related to achievement of predetermined integration and visa liberalisation standards.

Ashkalis demand better living conditions

(TV21)

Kosovo Ashkali Democratic Party (PDAK) alarms the opinion that Ashkali community is migrating abroad. PDAK blames central government’s negligence for this matter.

According to a press release issued, this political party called on institutions to reanalyse situation of Ashkali community members and take urgent measures for improvement of their economic and social condition.

PDAK also called for respect of the law on employment of communities, underlining that 10% of the civil servants should be from minority communities. PDAK underlined that this law is not being implemented at all, and that not even one per cent of communities are employed in public institutions.