UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 29, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Assembly in a cycle of failures; Haxhiu gets only 54 votes today (Koha)
Limaj: Majority in parliament is formed through political agreement (RTK)
Amnesty International publishes annual report for 2024/2025 (media)
Maurizio Antonini new Italian ambassador to Kosovo (media)
Hargreaves welcomes Rama’s gesture to honor Natasa Kandic (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Ministry of Justice of Serbia strongly condemned arrest warrants for 20 Serbs (Tanjug, mpravde.gov.rs)
Lawyer: Indictment against Radoicic fabrication, he had no contact with civilians during conflict, except with KLA members (Novosti, KoSSev)
Djuric meets US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, discussed situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
North Mitrovica: Signing of petition to reduce congestion at Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points concludes today (Radio KIM)
Vucic: I expect nothing special from Kos's visit, I am hoping for more objectivity from Brussels (Tanjug)
N1: Kos to meet opposition before authorities
Dean says police called over non-students in his office (N1)
New competition for REM Council announced, RTS unblocked but does not broadcast program regularly (NMagazin, N1)
Announced when Vucic is holding a big rally in Nis (Danas, TV Pink, Blic)
Amnesty International: Excessive force and arbitrary arrests at protests in Serbia 2024 (NMagazin, Beta)

International:

Public square project in Prishtina becomes battleground between local and central governments (PI)
Report: Surveillance and censorship worsening in Western Balkans (BIRN)
Deported Turkish teachers face new uncertainty after returning to Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Assembly in a cycle of failures; Haxhiu gets only 54 votes today (Koha)

Even the eighth attempt to constitute the new Assembly of Kosovo failed today as Vetevendosje’s candidate for Assembly Speaker, Albulena Haxhiu, got only 54 votes out of 61 votes that are needed to be elected to the post.

Hekuran Murati from the Vetevendosje Movement said the compromise they offered to constitute the new Assembly was for Haxhiu’s name as Assembly Speaker to be included in a package with the names of candidates proposed by opposition parties for deputy speakers. According to Murati, there are some opposition MPs who are willing to vote in favor of Haxhiu, but their parties are denying them this right.

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi meanwhile accused Vetevendosje of ridiculing the people. “I want to express my regret to the people for the ridiculing of their verdict by the first party which brought us here in the Assembly for the eighth time and is still having the same mindset,” he said. “I want to give three messages: first, democracy functions with a majority, not by imposition, second, the institutions are of the people, they do not belong to any specific party, and third, we all need to understand that the time of a one-party rule in Kosovo is over”. He also said that the sooner Vetevendosje understands this, the better it will be for Kosovo.

Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Hykmete Bajrami claimed that Vetevendosje is keeping the institutions of Kosovo hostage, and that “the people are paying the price for this”. “The people are paying the price for Vetevendosje keeping hostage of the institutions. They [the people] are faced with different problems and no one is addressing them. We regret that we are part of this theatre, and I believe that every citizen of Kosovo has had enough of this by now,” she argued.

Limaj: Majority in parliament is formed through political agreement (RTK)

NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj told reporters today that the vote for the Kosovo Assembly Speaker requires a political agreement as in 2014 and 2017 in order to secure a majority in the assembly. “Look back to 2014 and 2017. The Assembly Speaker was voted in both cases because political agreements were reached outside the Assembly and then the majority was formed. I believe this should be the only way. NISMA will give its contribution to avoid a process of new elections, which are unnecessary but not at all costs. Every process has its ending. We would like Kosovo to have its new institutions, but if no solution is found, the next solution is elections,” he said.

Amnesty International publishes annual report for 2024/2025 (media)

Most news websites cover the Amnesty International report about the state of human rights in the world for 2024/2025. Below is the part about Kosovo:

Kosovo 2024

New sentences were issued to former military officers for war crimes committed during the 1998-99 conflict. The implementation of a cooperation agreement with Serbia to locate 1,600 people still missing since that conflict remained stalled. Parliament failed to pass a law providing access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment in public hospitals. No progress was made on allowing same-sex couples to form civil partnerships.

Background

Kosovo’s bid to become a member of the Council of Europe was stalled, depriving its citizens of access to the European Court of Human Rights. The Committee of Ministers delayed its vote on Kosovo’s membership after Kosovo refused a last-minute request by some member countries that it should first establish an association of Serb-majority communities, as set out in the Brussels agreement of 2013 between Kosovo and Serbia.

Right to truth, justice and reparations

In February and April, the Basic Court of Pristina sentenced three former members of Serbian police and military forces for war crimes committed in 1999 in the Pristina and Istog regions. Dushko Arsiq, Ekrem Bajroviq and Çaslav Joliq received sentences of 13, 12 and eight years’ imprisonment respectively.

In July, Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague sentenced former Kosovo Liberation Army member Pjetër Shala to 18 years’ imprisonment for the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture and murder committed in 1999. In September, the Appeals Panel changed the sentence given to Salih Mustafa, a Kosovo Liberation Army unit commander charged with arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder, from 22 to 15 years’ imprisonment.

Enforced disappearances

Over 1,600 persons were still missing from the 1998-99 conflict in Kosovo, with persistent impunity for perpetrators linked to their disappearance. A 2023 agreement between Kosovo and Serbia to cooperate in locating people who went missing between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2000 was not implemented due to strained relations between the two countries.

Wartime sexual violence

The Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims demanded that the government remove a 2025 deadline with respect to applications for the status of “victim of wartime sexual violence”, involving reparations of EUR 230 per month. As of October, a government commission established in 2018 had granted this status to 1,688 of 2,018 applicants.

Women’s and girls’ rights

Access to IVF treatment continued to be available only in private clinics, after another failed attempt by the parliament to pass a law on reproductive health allowing IVF treatment in public hospitals. The debate was followed by disinformation and hate speech against single women by some MPs.

LGBTI people’s rights

The government failed to propose a new vote on reforms to the Civil Code, rejected by parliament in 2022, which would have paved the way for registering same-sex civil partnerships. LGBTI survivors of domestic violence had no access to specialized shelters, despite commitments made by the authorities.

Freedom of expression

In July, parliament passed a new Law on the Independent Media Commission despite criticism by civil society organizations and international bodies that the measure would introduce state licensing and control of online media without providing safeguards. The Constitutional Court was reviewing its legality at year’s end, with a final decision pending.

Refugees’ and migrants’ rights

In May, parliament approved an agreement with Denmark to rent out 300 of its prison cells for foreign nationals convicted of crimes in Denmark and due to be deported at the end of their sentence. Over 10 years, the fees would allow Kosovo to invest EUR 210 million in renewable energy. The Kosova Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims raised concerns about limited public consultation over the project and inadequate space in the prison complex.

Read full report at: https://shorturl.at/y7S0R

Maurizio Antonini new Italian ambassador to Kosovo (media)

Most news websites report that Maurizio Antonini has arrived in Kosovo as the new Italian ambassador. “Honored to take up the post of Ambassador of Italy to Kosovo. Determined to strengthen the ties between the two Countries, in all areas of cooperation, including for the sake of Pristina's prospect of European integration,” Antonini said.

Hargreaves welcomes Rama’s gesture to honor Natasa Kandic (media)

UK Ambassador to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves said in a Facebook post on Monday that he warmly welcomes Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama’s gesture “in honoring Natasa Kandic of the Humanitarian Law Centre, whose tireless work in documenting human losses during the Kosovo conflict has been vital in preserving the truth and collective memory”.

Serbian Language Media

Ministry of Justice of Serbia strongly condemned arrest warrants for 20 Serbs (Tanjug, mpravde.gov.rs)

The Ministry of Justice of Serbia strongly condemned the latest activities of ''illegal and unrecognized judicial institutions in Kosovo and Metohija, which aim to continue the campaign of intimidation of Serbs and further prevent their return to the autonomous province'', reads the statement of the Ministry.

''Following the information about the issuance of arrest warrants for 20 Serbs for alleged war crimes committed in Djakovica, although most of these people have never been to Djakovica, it has become obvious that this is an organized persecution of Serbs and an open threat to their security. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia appeals to the international community and its institutions in Kosovo and Metohija to condemn and prevent further irresponsible behavior of illegal authorities in Pristina, which violate the fundamental human rights of the Serbian population, threaten freedom of movement, and carry out shameful persecution and intimidation of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija”, the statement from the Ministry also said.

They added that the reaction of the international community and its representatives in Kosovo to ''such shameful moves by Pristina must not be absent, because the rule of law and respect for all democratic values and achievements must be and remain its priority”.

Lawyer: Indictment against Radoicic fabrication, he had no contact with civilians during conflict, except with KLA members (Novosti, KoSSev)

“It is a pure fabrication” this is how lawyer of Milan Radoicic, Goran Petronijevic commented to decision of the special department of Basic Court in Pristina to issue arrests warrants for 20 Serbs, including Radoicic, over allegedly committing war crimes in Djakovica in 1999, KoSSev portal reports citing Belgrade-based Novosti daily.

Petronijevic also said that during the mentioned period Radoicic had no contact with civilians, “except with members of KLA formations”, as at that time he served the regular military service in Prizren.

"As for Milan Radoicic, I know for sure it is about a mere fabrication because he was on regular military service from March 1998 to March 1999, as a 20-year-old soldier. He has nothing to do with that (accusations from indictment), and in March 1999, like everyone else at the time of the declaration of war, his military service was extended until June. From the beginning to the end of his military service, he was a soldier of the border battalion in Prizren and in Pastrik. He had no contact with civilians, except for members of the KLA formations and those from Albania who attacked that area of Pastrik”, Petronijevic said.

And while he is certain that indictment against Radoicic “was foolishness”, as far as other accused Serbs were concerned he said “he does not know where they were”.

“We only can refute such allegations in the media. This is yet another evidence of how the judiciary in Kosovo is being misused. In no way could Radoicic be in that part of Kosovo they speak about because he served a regular military service in a completely different part, until the Kumanovo Agreement was signed. As far as claims that he could go on leave were concerned it was impossible, because there was no possibility that one leaves the unit at the time of war”, he added.

As Petronijevic noted, this was an act of revenge against Radoicic because of some other things, and they included him to make things look more believable.

“We have serious material evidence, his military booklet, video materials from Pastrik and everything else”, Petronijevic emphasized.

Djuric meets US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, discussed situation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, met yesterday with Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Alexander Titolo, emphasizing during the meeting that already difficult situation of the Serbian people in Kosovo has been further aggravated daily by Pristina authorities’ actions, particularly through the restrictions on the free movement of people and goods at the administrative crossings, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Djuric and Titolo discussed the initiation of a strategic dialogue as a key mechanism for enhancing bilateral cooperation over the long term.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/nObZR

North Mitrovica: Signing of petition to reduce congestion at Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points concludes today (Radio KIM)

Serbian Democracy informed the public today is the final day to sign a petition calling for reducing congestion and enabling free flow of goods at administrative crossings Jarinje and Brnjak, Radio KIM reported.

The Petition can be signed at the main city square in Mitrovica North, near Tzar Lazar Monument in the period from 10.00 to 14.00.

“Afterwards, in the first half of May we will submit the petition with collected signatures to responsible bodies and international organizations in order to ease as soon as possible movement of people and enable unimpeded flow of goods at Jarinje and Brnjak”, Serbian Democracy said in a statement.

The action to collect signatures started at the beginning of April in Mitrovica North and then expanded onto other municipalities in the north.

Vucic: I expect nothing special from Kos's visit, I am hoping for more objectivity from Brussels (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday he expected "nothing special" from EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos's upcoming two-day visit to Belgrade and added that he was hoping for slightly more objectivity from Brussels, Tanjug news agency reported.

"As far as Marta Kos is concerned, it is nice that EU representatives are visiting us, because Serbia is on the European path. I believe she will help with the regulatory agency, media laws, ODIHR recommendations, and contribute to Serbia's further progress on the European path. But what do I expect personally? I do not expect anything. I am hoping for slightly more objectivity from the people in Brussels", Vucic told reporters during a visit to the construction site of the Fruska Gora Corridor in northern Serbia.

N1: Kos to meet opposition before authorities

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is due to start a visit to Belgrade on Tuesday which will include meetings with opposition and Serbian top officials, N1 reported. According to unofficial reports, Kos will meet with parliamentary opposition officials on Wednesday before meeting with government officials.

Kos called for an easing of tension in Serbia, adding that she is carefully watching the situation in Serbia.

Speaking at the Czech Business Forum on EU Enlargement on Monday, Kos said that Europe has a once in a lifetime opportunity to complete its unification but added that this requires a lot of work from the enlargement countries. “It requires leadership that embraces transformational reforms, and often it requires the ability to make difficult compromises. But things are moving faster than at any point in the last 15 years. It will also require a lot from our side. We will need to reflect on how our Union works. Our financing, our policies, and our decision making. It will require a lot of flexibility and creativity from Member States”, she said.

Dean says police called over non-students in his office (N1)

Patrik Drid, dean of the Novi Sad University Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, told TV Pink that he called in the police because there were people who weren’t students in his office, N1 reported.

Monday’s police intervention resulted in a number of injuries, including a girl who was one of the bicycle riders who went to Strasbourg. That young woman and four other people were hospitalized after being beaten by the police. Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said later that the police only intervened to repel attacks on their cordon.

Drid said that as dean he had the right to call in the police and denied that his decision violated the autonomy of the university. Under Serbian law the police can be called in to investigate serious crimes or if lives are in danger.

“It’s unbelievable how they abuse that. The autonomy of the university means that we as professors have the autonomy to organize our classes, curricula, exams and not do anything political”, he said, adding there was no need to call in the police during the first 3 months of the student protests because they were peaceful with students and staff entering the building. “Someone came in with serious amounts of money 100 days into the protest and several professors demanded radicalization, the dismissal of (President Aleksandar) Vucic and I warned that I would not allow political activities at the school”, he said.

Drid claimed that his knee was dislocated when he was attacked by the crowd but that several students, who he said were normal, calmed the situation and helped him to the ambulance.

New competition for REM Council announced, RTS unblocked but does not broadcast program regularly (NMagazin, N1)

Following a decision made in the Committee for Culture and Information session to announce a new competition for REM Council, the students suspended the blockade of RTS. The public broadcaster, however, did not air the program regularly this morning either, and the N1 team did not find any employees at Takovska 10, except for the security guard, reported NMagazin.

According to N1's unofficial information, the employees received an email from their superiors stating that disinsection and deritation control were planned as well as that they will be notified when they can return to work.

The portal recalls that the RTS blockade, one of the longest and most radical so far, lasted 14 days. Students closed all official and unofficial entrances to the buildign during the blockade.

Although they suspended the blockade last night around 10 p.m., at the main entrance to Takovska 10 they left the message "we are watching you" written in chalk.

Before leaving, the students also cleared the area in front of RTS, and all banners were removed. The students also left a message for the citizens in the neighborhood, thanking them for their patience.

Announced when Vucic is holding a big rally in Nis (Danas, TV Pink, Blic)

A large gathering was scheduled for May 16 and 17 in Nis, with President Aleksandar Vucic planned address and presence of “exclusive guests from abroad’’, reported Danas daily.

Vucic, in a guest appearance on TV Pink a few days ago, also said that the largest number of applicants for the Movement for the People and the State, which he founded, came from Nis, proportionally to the number of inhabitants.

The first meeting of that Movement, which reportedly appears as the official organizer who submits the gathering report to the police, was held in Belgrade on April 12.

Amnesty International: Excessive force and arbitrary arrests at protests in Serbia 2024 (NMagazin, Beta)

The international organization Amnesty International (AI) stated in a new report that the right to peaceful assembly is under heavy attack in Europe, as states increasingly stigmatize and criminalize peaceful protesters, with arbitrary arrests and the use of excessive force in some countries, including Serbia, reported NMagazin.

In its annual human rights report published today, AI indicates that European countries are imposing unjustified and punitive restrictions and resorting to increasingly repressive means against dissenters, which was particularly the case with people protesting "Israel's genocide against the Palestinian people" as well as climate change protests.

In the report on Serbia, AI assesses that protesters and journalists faced intimidation, harassment, and malicious lawsuits for peacefully engaging in issues of public interest.

"Demonstrations, especially environmental protests, were under heavy police surveillance, and participants were subjected to excessive use of force and arbitrary arrests," the 2024 AI report said.

It is recalled that at least 33 activists were arrested after protests against a lithium mining project in August, that many were detained or interrogated for posting on social networks or just for participating in peaceful protests, and that some were accused "of disproportionate crimes, including inciting the violent overthrow of the constitutional order."

The report states that in December, AI found evidence that authorities in Serbia had widely used illegal spyware and "invasive digital forensics techniques against activists and independent journalists."

Read full Amnesty International report on Serbia at:https://tinyurl.com/3zt5dvbu

International

Public square project in Prishtina becomes battleground between local and central governments (PI)

The ambitious plan to revitalise George Bush Street in the heart of Prishtina has caused clashes between the capital’s municipal authorities and the central government, which has escalated into a political showdown.

Construction continued on Monday morning at Prishtina’s downtown ‘George W. Bush square, weeks after the Cultural Heritage Inspectorate interrupted the work in a legal battle between local and central authorities.

On March 12, just two days after construction began on the 18 million euro square revitalisation project, the Ministry of Culture halted the works, citing the lack of proper permits to build in a protected historical area.

The developments and drama surrounding the project have left citizens confused about who holds the correct interpretation, while also serving as a reminder that even a public square can become a battleground in Kosovo.

Prishtina mayor Perparim Rama, who comes from the ranks of the LDK party, has entered the final months of his term, and has continuously argued with ministers whom he accuses of obstructing and prolonging his projects for the capital.