Many incidents in Kosovo still have an ethnic dimension
(TV21, RTK2)
The conference on safety of municipalities was held in Prishtinë/Pristina, where representatives of the Municipal Safety Councils and the OSCE representatives exchanged their views about this matter. Many incidents in Kosovo still have an ethnic dimension and they are driven by hatred toward the certain community, stated the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger
Addressing the Conference on Municipal Safety Councils (MCSC), Ambassador of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo – Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, underlined that since 2011 significant progress has been achieved in this area, and that planning of future steps that will improve safety in Kosovo must continue.
“One thing to keep in mind; while we all work on implementation of the Strategy for Community Safety, the most of security incidents recorded by Kosovo Police are driven by material gain. Nevertheless, many incidents still have an ethnic dimension and are driven by hatred toward the certain community,” Ambassador Schlumberger said.
The main goal is that citizens, institutions and community representatives, irrespective to their ethnic or religious background, to give their contribution to preservation of the overall safety.
As institutions, we will be directly involved in identification of solutions for problems on the ground, said Fitim Tahiri, a representative of the Kosovo interior ministry.
In the meantime, deputy minister of interior Izmi Zeka underlined that the ministry will remain pledged to fulfilment of obligations that derive from the Strategy, and that they will work on development of mechanisms which will contribute to creation of a safe environment for all the citizens of Kosovo.
Municipal representatives addressed their local problems. The OSCE representatives said that they have regular meetings with all the Mayors, and they mentioned that over the course of next year more focus will be paid to cooperation with municipal representatives in Kosovo north.
Regional conference on youth participation in decision-making held
(RTK1, RTK2)
To find the best ways for their inclusion in public life and to become part of important decision-making, youth of the whole Balkans gathered on Wednesday in Prishtinë/Pristina at a conference organized by the OSCE Mission.
OSCE representatives underlined that the aim of this conference is to empower youth activism and to offer opportunities to them to exchange experiences, as well as to solve their issues not only in the local, but also at the regional level.
“Unfortunately, the demand for voice of young people to be heard, that their views should be seriously taken into account, and to play an active role in promotion of their own interests, is far from the universal recognition,” said Tatjana Sikoska of the OSCE.
Sanja Lazarevic of the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI) from Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north said that there is no adequate youth strategy, although young people up to 25 years of age compose 70 per cent of the population.
She emphasised that the unemployment issue is even more expressed in minority communities, which is a consequence of inadequate education system, small labour market, lack of institutions ‘will, but also due to passivity of young people.
OSCE representatives emphasized that young people are a vulnerable group, same as minority communities and women. However, the conclusion of all the participants was that young people should not be treated as a problem, but rather as the highest potential of the society.
Zubin Potok Serbs receive Kosovo identification documents
(RTK1)
Each year around 2.000 Kosovo Serb citizens from Zubin Potok municipality receive Kosovo documents.
Civil Registration Office in Çabër village of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north has become the most frequented place by Serbs, who apply for Kosovo documents every day. This is also confirmed by representatives of this Office. They said that lacking a Civil Registration Office in Zubin Potok, residents of this area are forced to apply for identification documents in Çabër.
A Serb citizen told RTK1 that he applied for Kosovo ID as it serves them for receiving pension.
Roma family says they might be killed if returned from Germany
(KTV)
A Roma community family of Qyshk village in Pejë/Pec municipality has managed to arrive in Germany where they are seeking asylum. However, their request for residence permit in Germany is disputable. They told German media that they were target of attacks and physical violence by Albanians after the conflict in Kosovo.
Berisha family members said that they fear to return in Kosovo because they might be killed by Albanians, but the Roma community that still lives in Qyshk village, say that they never had problems with Albanians and that they only problem that might force them to leave Kosovo is the social welfare.
Interviewed by KTV, Roma residents of Qyshk village said that they do not have problems with Albanians, but rather financial problems.
Kosovo ranked 110th on TI corruption index
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index on Kosovo considers that the country did not mark regress or progress in combating the corruption phenomenon.
“Kosovo has once again been rated with 33 points, same as last year. It means that there were no changes whatsoever or progress, irrespective to many statements that Kosovo has made progress in this regard,” stated Artan Canhasi of Kosovo Democratic Institute – KDI.
Canhasi said that this ranking is due to violations in public procurement and lack of transparency in financing of political parties. The efficiency of justice system has also been noted as yet another problem.
According to Visar Sutaj of KDI, information was collected from experts and credible institutions.
The report ranks Kosovo the 110th in the global ranking, together with Albania, Malawi, Ecuador and Ethiopia.
Head of the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency head Hasan Preteni, told RTK1 that there are many reports on corruption, but two of them – EC Report Progress and the Transparency International Corruption Index, are the most credible ones.
