OSCE supports cooperation between communities

(RTK2)

With the support of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, municipalities of Prishtinë/Pristina, Gracanica/Graçanicë, Shtimje/Stimlje, Lipjan/Lipljan, Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje and Obiliq/Obilic presented their action plans for advancing the dialogue and cooperation between communities. One of the first steps of this initiative is to remove the insulting graffiti in the municipality of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje, RTK2 reported.

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu said that cooperation between communities is not something that happens only in Kosovo, but it is something that happens all over the world.  He stressed that municipalities are finding ways to cooperate in order to solve everyday issues.

While drafting of the plans for cooperation, representatives of the six municipalities designed different ideas and activities which will connect young people from all communities.

Srpska List will not attend Wednesday’s session of Kosovo Assembly

(Klan Kosova)

Srpska List MPs will not attend Wednesday’s plenary session of Kosovo Assembly despite the fact that the agenda includes the Law on Religious Freedom, online version of Klan Kosova reported.

“As representatives of the Serb community in Kosovo, we agree with the need for this issue to be solved through law, but only when political conditions for the Serb representatives to return to Prishtinë/Pristina institutions are created then Srpska List is likely to support the adoption of such a law,” a press release issued by Srpska List reads.

Srpska List also said that currently the conditions for participation of their representatives in Kosovo institutions do not exist, because, according to them, Kosovo Serbs are only given empty promises that their rights would be respected and their vital interests would be taken into account during decision-making processes.

Thaçi: Justice reform a priority of Kosovo institutions

(RTK1)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi received on Tuesday a delegation of “Amnesty International”, consisting of Gauri van Gulik and Todor Gardos, with whom he discussed about the reform of justice system in Kosovo and the dealing of the war consequences.

President Thaçi expressed that the institutions of Kosovo are intensifying the commitment to help all victims of war, especially the families of the missing persons and victims of sexual violence.

“We are working to build institutional support for the victims of sexual violence, to be encouraged to testify about their victimization. Similarly, we are working with the families of the missing, of all communities, to close all these cases as soon as possible”, said President Thaçi.

President Thaçi also added that Kosovo has continued the consolidation of justice and that the Kosovo institutions are ready to take over the competencies from EULEX.

On the other hand, Gauri van Gulik from “Amnesty International” stated that the organization remains engaged in Kosovo and the region, to monitor the justice system and to support the efforts for justice for the victims.

“With the passage over of many files once from UNMIK to EULEX, now to the Kosovo authorities of justice, it must be ensured that the judicial processes should not be lost or delayed, but to be performed on the due time and in a fair way”, she added.

President Thaçi stated that justice reform remains a priority of the institutions of Kosovo.

Brussels dialogue resumes

(RTK2&RTK1)

The EU-facilitated dialogue between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade continued on Tuesday. RTK’sBrussels based correspondent reported that the working groups are discussing about the Agreements on telecomm, freedom of movement and judiciary.

However, no agreement was reached on Tuesday while talks will resume on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric said that this round of dialogue is being held in a constructive way. He said that Kosovo did not accept to discuss the establishment of the Association Serb Majority Municipalities, RTK2 reported.

Court extends detention measure to Vetëvendosje activists

(KTV)

Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina extended for 30 more days the detention measure against two Vetëvendosje activists suspected to have attacked the building of Kosovo Assembly.

Vetëvendosje Movement announced that its activists Atdhe Arifi and Egzon Haliti will remain under detention on remand, while Frashër Krasniqi and Adea Batusha under house detention. Petrit Ademi is ordered to appear at the police station.

“This verdict is entirely politic and arbitrary. During these three months no credible evidence has been presented that links the activists with the acts for which they are accused and investigated,” reads Vetëvendosje’s reaction

Hyseni:  No resignation without conclusion of investigations

((Summary of KTV – Rubicon show)

Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs, Skender Hyseni, in an exclusive interview for KTV show Rubicon spoke about the death of Vetëvendosje activist Astrit Dehari in the detention centre in Prizren. He considered the requests for resignation as simple and complex at the same time.  However, he stressed that he will never escape responsibility.

Minister Hyseni said that institutions should initially investigate the case and depending on the findings, responsibilities will be taken.

“My question is really simple, are we seeking justice or scapegoats? I believe that we should request justice and depending from the findings, the rest will follow,” he said.

“I will never escape responsibility. We should create a minimal space for institutions to carry out their duty,” noted Hyseni.

He said that investigations should continue to shed light on this case while he emphasized that he will not refuse assistance by other countries.

“All the help and support we can get from everywhere. We should set up trust somewhere, we should find the path to the trust of all without any exception,” concluded Hyseni.

Asked by the moderator of the show, Adriatik Kelmendi about controversial statements on Dehari’s case, including the statements by Kosovo Police director, Nexhmi Krasniqi that Dehari died due to overdose of medicaments Hyseni replied saying that Krasniqi never made such a statement.

According Hyseni, Kosovo Police Inspectorate concluded that the alleged statement of Krasniqi was never made.

“I cannot know who speculated. I’m talking about a report that I got this morning.  I can ensure the general audience, in particular Dehari’s family that Kosovo Police Inspectorate will treat all statements made by any of Kosovo Police officers,” noted Hyseni.

Minister Hyseni also spoke about the robbery in the house of Kosovo Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksander Lumezi, considering the robbery as an ordinary criminal act.

“First indications show that we are dealing with ordinary criminals,” said Hyseni, alleging that the thieves were not aware about the owner of the house.

Speaking about the demarcation with Montenegro, Hyseni said that demarcation is an unfair condition set by the EU for visa liberalisation. However he emphasized that the agreement on demarcation should be ratified by the Assembly, as this issue has been dragged for too long.

Another topics discussed on the show was participation of Kosovo citizens in foreign wars. Minister Hyseni said that Kosovo is ranked among most successful countries in world in addressing this issue during the last two years.  Although he noted Kosovo’s good results in this sector, Hyseni stressed that Kosovo should continue to be alerted.

Minister Hyseni also spoke about cyber-crime, concluding that Kosovo is not immune to this phenomenon, urging for more commitment in this regard.