Headlines - 28.01.2015

UNMIK concerned by violent events in Pristina (Zeri, Kosova Sot, Epoka e Re)

The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), through a press release issued on Tuesday, expressed its concern over the recent violent events in Pristina. According to UNMIK spokesperson Brenden Varma, such acts have nothing to do with the exercise of the democratic right to express legitimate grievances. According to 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. For its part, UNMIK has been and will remain in contact with various Kosovo actors to help reduce tensions and encourage constructive discourse.  ​

Mustafa & Thaci: Protest was about greed for power (dailies)

In an extraordinary press conference held on Tuesday, Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said that Tuesday’s protest was politically motivated. Both leaders said that neither Minister for Communities and Returns Aleksandar Jablanovic’s controversial statement nor the fate of the Trepca mining complex were the true reasons for the protest, as claimed by the organizers. But rather, the aim was to bring down the government. Mustafa said, “Those who damaged public property have not damaged Jablanovic, but damaged the streets of Pristina. The government condemns violence against the Kosovo Police, which was attacked with Molotov cocktails and stones. The protest should not be used to grab power, because such power is acquired by votes.” Thaci said the violence was unacceptable, and, according to him, the institutions of Kosovo will not in any way be defeated by violent acts. He said, “Blackmail and ultimatums do not succeed. Protest is a democratic tool, but Tuesday's protests did not represent the will of the citizens of Kosovo.”

Kurti: Protests will continue (dailies)

Albin Kurti, the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, said on Tuesday that the next protest will be held in the next couple of days and with the same demands. Kurti said Vetevendosje would not ask for permission to organize the protest “because the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to assemble.” He added, “We don’t want [Communities and Returns Minister Aleksandar] Jablanovic to be dismissed because he is a Serb but because of his denial of the massacres in Kosovo and for calling the Gjakova mothers ‘savages.’”

Statement by Kosovo government on protest (dailies)

The government of Kosovo issued a statement on Tuesday about the opposition’s protest: “The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has followed carefully Tuesday’s protest in Pristina and the violence committed during the protest. The Government of Kosovo expresses its commitment for the complete respect of the rights and freedoms of the citizens, including the right to peaceful protest, as an inalienable right to express concern and citizens’ opinions. However, the Government also expresses its determination not to tolerate developments which harm the country, its institutions, property and public and private wealth. Threatening language used today at the protest by its organizers is unacceptable and we condemn such inciting acts. Also, organizing students to protest represents extreme manipulation and is completely unacceptable for the Government and the Republic of Kosovo. The Government of Kosovo calls on the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo to show political and civic maturity and tolerance, something that has always characterized our population. The Government condemns the violence used against the Kosovo Police, expressing appreciation to the Kosovo Police officers for their demonstrated professionalism during this protest. The Government of Kosovo expresses its full will to cooperate with all political parties, civil society and different groups of interest to address all the requests of the citizens in a legal and constitutional way.”

Statement by Kosovo President on protest (dailies)

Dailies report on the statement issued on Tuesday by the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga. The statement said: “The chaotic and violent scenes in the streets of Pristina are completely unacceptable. I appeal for calm and reestablishment of order in the streets and squares of the capital as well as reflection. I appeal to the remaining protesters in the streets of Pristina to disperse in a calm manner and to stop clashes with Kosovo Police, the institution responsible for maintaining order and law and security for each citizen of the country. It is our Police. Political leaders of all parties in the country, including opposition and the government, should restart the dialogue among themselves and find a common language for the solution of open issues, by interrupting this circle of violence in the street. I also request from the political leaders of the country and the entire political spectrum, to distance themselves from violent action that is seriously harming our young state. I consider the violence towards the Kosovo Police and damaging of public and private property by the protesters at today’s protest, unacceptable. Protest is an inalienable right, guaranteed by the Constitution of the country; however this right comes with many responsibilities and today’s violence in Pristina squares seriously violates law and order and it seriously harms the security of the citizens. Institutional solutions and dialogue are the best way to overcome the situation and we have to act jointly on preventing any further escalation of the situation.”

US Ambassador: Destruction of private property a criminal act (dailies)

The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, reacted to Tuesday’s protest, saying that destruction of property is a criminal act. “Peaceful protest is a democratic right. Destruction of public and private property is a criminal act,” she wrote on her Twitter account.

Two police officers seriously injured in yesterday’s protest (Kosova Sot)

In a press conference following yesterday’s protest in Pristina, the General Director of the Kosovo Police, Shpend Maxhuni, said that 56 police officers were injured in clashes with protesters, including two who sustained serious injuries. In addition, 26 people were injured during violent protests, and 120 protesters were detained by the police. Kosovo Chief Prosecutor Syle Hoxha said that 31 persons are suspected of carrying out acts of violence.

Hyseni: Jablanovic’s statement unimportant, no permission to protest (Koha)

Kosovo’s Interior Affairs Minister, Skender Hyseni, told KTV on Tuesday that protesters are to blame for the violence on Tuesday, and he praised police for their professionalism. Hyseni said protesters did not have permission to demonstrate, but that despite this, police wanted to cooperate with them. He also said that Communities and Returns Minister Aleksandar Jablanovic’s statement, which insulted the mothers of missing persons in Gjakova, was not important. “Kosovo and its statehood do not depend on Jablanovic or others that oppose Kosovo and its independence,” he added.

Stojanovic: Mustafa never asked for Jablanovic’s dismissal (Kosova Sot)

The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Branimir Stojanovic, who belongs to the Serbian List, said Prime Minister Isa Mustafa never discussed with Communities and Returns Minister Aleksandar Jablanovic his possible dismissal. Stojanovic added that Jablanovic does not plan to step down.