The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, commended proportionate response of the police during yesterday unrest in Pristina, and said that democratic rights are not exercised through violence.

UNMIK expressed concern by the recent events in Pristina city centre. Such acts have nothing to do with the exercise of the democratic right to express legitimate grievances, stated UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

“It is the responsibility of the Kosovo Police to ensure public safety and to take appropriate action against individuals who abuse the inherent right to peaceful protest by committing inexcusable acts of violence and vandalism. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, commends the restrained and proportionate response of the Kosovo Police to the acts of lawlessness by some individuals among the protestors, and calls on the residents of Pristina to cooperate with the Police in its effort to restore calm and order.” The statement further reads that ” UNMIK has been and will remain in contact with various Kosovo actors to help reduce tensions and encourage constructive discourse”.