US, UK and Norwegian ambassadors call for respect of Constitution

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

By calling for respect of the Constitution, Ambassadors of Kosovo’s allies gave a clear message for the opposition parties. They said that in no place in the world, the opposition cannot set the time of elections. These statements were made after the meetings that Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli held with the US Ambassador Greg Delawie, British Ambassador Ruairi O’Connell, and the Norwegian Ambassador Jan Braathu.

“Implement the Constitution and laws of Kosovo. If elections are a constitutional process, that is one thing, but in which European country does the minority opposition request/determine elections? That is not usual.  Let us face the fact. 33 MPs have 27% of votes. We respect these votes, their voters, and all parties, we are not against anyone, but please respect the rules,” Ambassador Braathu said.

Regarding election of the new President, Ambassadors said that this should be done based in Kosovo laws.

The US Ambassador Greg Delawie and Speaker Kadri Veseli did not make any statements for the media after the meeting. Through a press release issued, Veseli said he continues to believe and engages for the spirit of dialogue and communication to prevail over all destructive political tendencies. Veseli will continue his meetings with other Ambassadors in the coming days. 

Attack against KTV journalist condemned

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV) 

KTV journalist Adriatik Kelmendi said that unknown persons flattened the tires of his car during Wednesday night. His car was parked in a locked garage of his flat where only persons having a key to the garage can have access to it. Kelmendi considers this as the biggest threat that he has received so far. He believes that this is related to an attempt to intimidate him because of his public work, his criticism in shows, articles and other statements.

Flaka Surroi, the managing director of Koha Group, reacted against this case. “Intentional flattening of four tires of Adriatik Kelmendi’s car is an act of the mafia and criminals who want to convey a message for Kelmendi, as well as other journalism professionals that this is just a threatening warning. We tell them that they can try to put down free speech violently, but they will never succeed,” Surroi said.

The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ) also reacted and qualified the attack as an attempt to impede free opinion. The OSCE, the US and UK Ambassadors also reacted against this attack.

US Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said he is concerned by this news and that threats against journalists must not be tolerated.

Schwendiman: Specialist Chambers will take some more time

(RTK1)

Lead Prosecutor to the European Union’s Special Investigative Task Force (SITF), David Schwendiman, stated that investigations of alleged crimes committed by the KLA against civilian population during the Kosovo conflict are on-going.

Prosecutor Schwendiman called on all the parties involved in establishment of the Specialist Chambers to carry out their duties. He said that establishment of Specialist Chambers will take some more time until their finalisation.

Schwendiman did not want to comment possible filing of indictments, but he said that it is being worked in this direction.

This TV broadcaster learned that this agreement with Netherlands, which has already been negotiated between Kosovo and Dutch authorities, will be discussed in the first sessions that the Assembly will hold. 

Rohan: Violence damages Kosovo’s image

(TV21) 

The former deputy UN Special Envoy for the final status negotiations for Kosovo, Albert Rohan, commented the political crisis in Kosovo.

In an interview with Prishtinë/Pristina-based news site Republika, he said the violent actions of recent months have seriously damaged Kosovo’s image in the international arena.

According to Rohan, in a democracy, no side can impose its opinion by force and at the end of the day it is up to the voters to take their decision and stance on governing policies through elections.

Rohan suggested that the only solution for overcoming this crisis is return of the opposition to institutions. He said that this should also be valid for election of the Kosovo President. He warned that any tendency to impede election of the President would be a big mistake. 

Only 100 RAE members of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje employed

(KTV) 

As a young man, Halim Qerimi graduated at the Faculty of Philosophy, but he did not work until June last year. He is currently the deputy chairperson for communities in Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje, a municipality where 5000 non-Serb community members live in. Being at a senior position in the municipality, Qerimi says he understands the difficult situation of his community and the high unemployment rate. Number of employees from these communities does not exceed the two digits. However, he says that members of his community are hardworking people. 

Kosovo Assembly Member, Veton Berisha, says that there is a range of factors why these communities are completely unemployed.

“Kosovo institutions have prejudices against these communities. There is an extraordinary discrimination. The very statistics demonstrate that institutions do not have the political will to integrate minority communities,” MP Berisha underlined. 

Delawie: Marginalisation impedes democratic process and development

(RTK2&KTV)

A roundtable held in Prishtinë/Pristina discussed the rights of women as a marginalised category of society. Women rights, in heritage in particular, the LGBT community, people with limited abilities, and involvement of youth in social processes in Kosovo, are the most marginalised groups in Kosovo.

US Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said that marginalisation impedes the democratic process and it also impacts on economic development.

On the other hand, Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuçi said it is being worked on new policies related to the right to heritage.

Ombudsperson: Serbia is avoiding payments to Kosovo pensioners

(Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Ombudsperson published on Thursday, the opinion addressed to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe regarding the non-execution of the European Court of Human Rights verdict in the case – Grudic versus Serbia.

In the opening statement of his opinion, the Ombudsperson expressed his concern that Serbia has failed to fulfill its obligations and secure the payment to Kosovo pensioners, according to the 2012 verdict of the European Court.

Despite its obligation to respect the European Convention on Human Rights, Serbia has continuously presented justifications to avoid execution of the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights.

It is the first time that a national human rights institution addresses an issue to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. 

VV: Maric’s proposal divides Kosovo

(TV21 & Klan Kosova)

Vetëvendosje branch in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica expressed its concern regarding the proposal of Minister of Local Government Administration, Ljubomir Maric, who requested addition of the word south to Mitrovicë/Mitrovica town name.

Vetëvendosje municipal councilor, Faruk Mujka, said that minister Maric requested legitimization of the denomination Mitrovicë/Mitrovicë South or Southern Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.

According to Mujka, the proposed decision will not only lead to division of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica town, but rather to the division of Kosovo.

On the other hand, Vetëvendosje deputy chairperson, Aida Dërguti considered the proposed decision as the beginning of ‘Bosnization’ of Kosovo.