OSCE concerned with attack on head of journalists association
(TV21, RTK2)
Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic expressed concerned about the attack on the newspaper’s editor and president of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Zekirja Shabani.
OSCE through a press release announced that Shabani sought medical assistance on 8 December after reporting to the police a physical and verbal attack against him by Sejdi Demiri, his employer and director of the Prishtinë/Priština-based daily Tribuna.
According to Shabani, the dispute between him and the newspaper director developed over unpaid wages and a law suit Shabani was planning to launch against the paper in this regard, and after Shabani refused to sign an agreement on an early termination of his contract.
Journalists in Kosovo have reported to the police more than 20 cases of attacks and intimidation against them during 2014 alone.
Cliff: New government to fight corruption
(All monitored broadcaster, RTK1)
United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo Ian Cliff said that Mustafa’s government has a lot of work to do. According to Cliff the key challenges are the establishment of the Special Tribunal, economic development and the public administration reform. He also considered as important the rule of law and fight against corruption.
Cliff emphasized that if the new government doesn’t address properly the corruption issue then according to him, Kosovo will fail in its EU integration path.
Meanwhile Cliff denied rumors that the international community was involved in establishment of the new institutions however he considered the inclusion of Srpska List in the new government as good news. Cliff said that the fact that the Srpska List joined the Government and the Assembly means that they are somehow recognizing Kosovo institutions.
Among other topics Cliff spoke also about the number of ministries in the new government, saying that Kosovo has too many ministries, noting that the money saved from the ministerial posts can be invested in health or education.
He also expressed his concern over the small number of women in the new government.
‘Women in Kosovo’s Security Institutions” project launched
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Country emancipation can be measured with its inclusion of women in decision making posts. With this conclusion the inter-ministerial project ‘Women in Kosovo’s Security Institutions’ was promoted. President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga spoke about the role of the women and the development of the institutions. Among others she said that Kosovo youth cannot be part of radical groups.
“We cannot allow our youth to become part of radical and extremist groups around the world which threaten the stability and security anywhere, especially in Kosovo. Therefore we need to work harder to ensure economic development, large investments and opening of new workplaces” said President Jahjaga.
Whereas outgoing interior minister Bajram Rexhepi considered that Kosovo can be proud of the role of the women in society. He said that Kosovo can be a role model for many developed countries, noting that Kosovo is among the countries that has women as a President.
On the other hand KSF Commander Kadri Kastrati pointed out that women in uniforms are breaking old stereotypes in Kosovo.
Project “Women in Kosovo’s Security Institutions” has been supported by the Norwegian Embassy to Kosovo and the UN Women whereas several Kosovo institutions will implement it.
CDHRF: Government did gender discrimination and violation of human rights
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) reacted against composition of the Government cabinet, saying that it has discriminated on gender basis exactly at the time when the International Human Rights Day was being marked.
CDRHF said that Kosovo has pledged itself even in the presentation of governing programme resume by the new Prime Minister that it will respect the principle of non-discrimination on any grounds, namely discrimination of gender basis.
According to a CHDRF press release the new government is violating this pledge and standard since the new government has only one women minister and another improvised ministerial post designated to a woman.
Vetëvendosje: Agreement with Srpska List federalizes Kosovo
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Vetëvendosje Chairperson Albin Kurti considered that by accepting the conditions of Srpska List the new government will federalize Kosovo. Also other representatives of the opposition parties said that the new government of Kosovo was established only after the signature of the agreement signed by Thaçi and Mustafa with Srpska List.
For Vetëvendosje this agreement is a unification of the corrupted with Belgrade.
‘Content of their agreement with Srpska List clearly shows the aim for federalization of Kosovo, by diving its political system and establishing parity in institutional leadership ‘, said Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti.
Whereas for Donika Kadaj of AAK said this government was established only after the fulfilment of Srpska List conditions. According to her the same rights that minority communities in Kosovo have should be valid for Albanian minority in Serbia.
