UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Building military capacities in service of defence, peace, security (media)
Osmani congratulates Sekerinska on appointment as NATO Deputy SG (media)
Muja: Kosovo should not proceed with formation of Association (RTV21)
Government: Court is in battle with government, not the other way around (Blic)
KSF members train together with U.S. and German troops (media)
“Kosovo, Romania and Estonia latest nations to join Operation Interflex” (media)
Selimi detects Serbia’s violation of Ohrid agreement (Nacionale)
Arsenijevic: Serbian List is threatening Serbs that don’t vote for them (Nacionale)
Sinani: Highest judicial body in Serbia is legitimising ethnic cleansing (media)
Lutfiu: Highest judicial body in Serbia legalised passivation of addresses (Koha)
Mexhiti: Kurti was right, there is no special law on Albanian language (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic, Dacic after the National Security Council session held today (Kosovo Online)
KFOR met Atiq, discussed security situation in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, social media)
On World Children's Day posters in north of Kosovo about attacks on Serbian children and youth (RTS, Tanjug, Blic, Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: Removing posters will not hide truth (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
Serbian List meets families of affected children (Radio KIM, media)
Tribune on rights and security of Serbian children held in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
Arsenijevic’s post on ‘Serbian List pre-election activities’ (social media)
Prekazi: Sports and culture are bridges that unite; EURO 2027 will bring Serbs and Albanians closer (Kosovo Online)

International:

Kosovar artists face the repercussions of political stalemate (PI)
As borders tighten, violence rises on migrant route through the Balkans (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

Kurti: House keys delivered to 25 families in north of Kosovo (media)
Kurti: School texts are systematically reviewed and improved (Albanian Post)
Declaration against violence against women in politics and public life (media)
20 journalists attend training on addressing gender-based violence (AJK)
Gender Equality Group of Democracy and Human Rights Council meets (media)
IADK: 28 farmers in Leposavic equipped with agricultural equipment (media)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: Building military capacities in service of defence, peace, security (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post today that last night together with the commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Bashkim Jashari, and Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, they visited one of the warehouses of the latest weapons supplies for the KSF. “This modern armament is part of continuous purchases and supplies we are getting for our force, and it is only a very small part of the largest amount of infantry armament we have ever received. The building of our military capacities has always been and will always be in the service of protecting our territorial sovereignty and integrity and for safeguarding peace and security,” Kurti said.

Osmani congratulates Sekerinska on appointment as NATO Deputy SG (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani congratulated Radmila Sekerinska on her appointment as Deputy Secretary General of NATO. “It has been an honor to work with her in the past years, particularly on advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. I look forward to continued collaboration on our shared priorities and wish her every success in this important new role,” Osmani said in a post on X.

Muja: Kosovo should not proceed with formation of Association (RTV21)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Armend Muja, said that Kosovo should not form the Association of Serb-majority municipalities until Serbia recognizes Kosovo and its jurisdiction and territorial integrity. “Kosovo should not proceed with forming the Association until the jurisdiction and constitutional order of Kosovo are not recognized. The logic of forcing Kosovo into forming an oasis or authority where they don’t want to recognize the constitutional and legal order cannot stand. The [Brussels] agreement speaks of something completely different. The agreement notes that Serbia needs to recognize Kosovo’s jurisdiction and territorial integrity,” Muja said in an interview with the TV station.

Asked to comment on U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill’s remarks that Serbia is not violating the agreement for the normalisation of relations, Muja said: “that is his judgement. First, even the Progress Report for Serbia noted that Serbia has violated the agreement. These are facts. Sending a letter where they withdraw from two points of the agreement is certainly a violation. Second, another violation of Article 2 [of the agreement] was the military intervention and the law to prosecute Kosovo’s citizens. These are violations of all possible points of the agreement. I don’t know why Mr. Hill doesn’t see these as violations”.

Government: Court is in battle with government, not the other way around (Blic)

One day after the EU Office in Kosovo said that the Constitutional Court should be independent and free from political pressure, the ruling party Vetevendosje Movement reacted by denying that they are interfering in the justice system.

"In every democratic society, all the decisions of the constitutional courts, or of the Supreme Court in the case of America, are discussed and debated. So the debate and commenting on decisions is NOT interference in justice, on the contrary, it is interference in the executive when the Constitutional Court assesses reforms, this exclusive competence of the government! Finally, we also wish that the Court remains independent and without political influence, but unfortunately their decisions are showing that they are under the influence and in a battle with the government, not the government with the court!", LVV member of the Parliamentary Committee on Legislation, Dimal Basha said.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said last week that the Constitutional Court, with the delays in dealing with laws and their overthrow, is blocking positive and progressive reform. This statement evoked the reaction of the EU Office in Kosovo.

KSF members train together with U.S. and German troops (media)

Several news websites cover a Facebook post by KFOR which notes that “U.S. Army aviators and German Army soldiers assigned to Regional Command East of the NATO-led KFOR mission teamed up to conduct hot and cold load training and UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter familiarisation. The training allows ground units and flight crews to better understand each other’s mission needs and capabilities. Kosovo Force soldiers continue to work together and stay prepared for air insertion operations, whether it be for emergency responses or Administrative Boundary Line patrols”.

“Kosovo, Romania and Estonia latest nations to join Operation Interflex” (media)

Several news websites cover a post on X by the UK Ministry of Defence which notes that “50,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained under Operation Interflex, boosting their skills and readiness. Kosovo, Romania, and Estonia are the latest nations to join this global effort, standing united for freedom and resilience. Stand With Ukraine”.

Selimi detects Serbia’s violation of Ohrid agreement (Nacionale)

Kosovo’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petrit Selimi, writes in a post on X that “the Ohrid agreement between Kosovo & Serbia is explicit that ‘The parties will mutually recognise their respective documents and national symbols’. Yet, in Serbian government-owned controlled media, any visual depiction of Kosovo flag, even if in UEFA branding, creates a complete meltdown”.

Arsenijevic: Serbian List is threatening Serbs that don’t vote for them (Nacionale)

The news website reports that Serb politician from the north of Kosovo, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, has accused the Serbian List of starting to threaten Serbs that they could be removed from work or stop getting benefits if they don’t vote for this party in the February 2025 general elections. “We are getting information that the abuse of positions in Serbian institutions is underway to agitate our citizens, to collect votes for them in the institutions,” he is quoted as saying. “If they dare threaten to fire someone from work, Serbian Democracy will be there”.

Sinani: Highest judicial body in Serbia is legitimising ethnic cleansing (media)

Mayor of the municipality of Presevo in Serbia, Ardita Sinani, said today that the highest judicial body in Serbia, the Constitutional Court, is legitimising ethnic cleansing and the discriminatory passivisation of Albanians in Presevo Valley. She said the court turned down a complaint by a citizen from Medvedja to have his address restored. “In addition to legitimising the extreme discrimination with passivisation, the Constitutional Court through an anti-constitutional decision like this one is working to discourage Albanians from the Valley in their fight for justice and equality,” she argued.

Sinani also said that the case of Sadik Demiri is the best example of Serbia’s discrimination against Albanians, “and at the same time an example that we should not give up”. “Therefore, when Serbia through its highest judicial body is continuing the same practice, Albanians from the Valley must seek justice with the international judicial institutions. From there we will defeat Serbia’s discrimination and there we will establish justice”.

Lutfiu: Highest judicial body in Serbia legalised passivation of addresses (Koha)

The chairman of the Albanian National Council in Presevo Valley, Nevzad Lutfiu, has said that the Constitutional Court of Serbia has legalised the passivation of addresses of Albanians. He has shown, in a post on Facebook, that the citizen Safet Demiri from Medvegja was refused a complaint to the Constitutional Court for the return of his address.

“Even the Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal of Safet Demiri from Medvegja for the return of the address, which means that the highest institution of justice in Serbia legalised the passivation of the addresses. The way to Strasbourg has been opened for Safet and he will follow it. This ethnic cleansing must have an international verdict, that's why I offer my full support to Safet Demir,” Lutfiu said.

Mexhiti: Kurti was right, there is no special law on Albanian language (media)

North Macedonia Deputy Prime Minister, Izet Mexhiti, said today that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke the truth when he said that there is no special law in North Macedonia on the Albanian language. “Prime Minister Kurti spoke the truth. In Macedonia there is no law on the Albanian language, but a law on language which includes the 20 percent quota. An ethnic community that is over 20 percent of the total population, in this case Albanians, can use the Albanian language, but the title of law is not the law on Albanian language, but the law on languages,” Mexhiti said in an interview with media in North Macedonia.

North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski commented on the issue on Tuesday saying that it is an artificial topic and that there is no threat against the Albanian language. “No one is against the Albanian language in Macedonia. This is an artificial topic. It is a topic that they are trying to impose … Trust me this is not about any concerns, because no one is against the Albanian language,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic, Dacic after the National Security Council session held today (Kosovo Online)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, presided over the session of the National Security Council, held today, reported Kosovo Online.

"With the members of the National Security Council, I exchanged information about the security situation in Serbia, and we also discussed current events, both in our country and in the world. In these complex and not easy geopolitical turmoil, we will do our best to preserve the safety and security of our citizens and our Serbia," stated Vucic.

The Minister of the Interior of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, addressed the media and stated that the situation in Kosovo is burdened by ''the constant extremist policy'' of the Pristina leadership.

Dacic said that the session concluded that the political situation is stable but burdened with numerous challenges.

"When it comes to geopolitical challenges, as you know, the situation in the world is increasingly moving in the direction of conflict, despite the fact that it is unstable and already burdened by conflicts. Serbia must secure itself in such a situation and provide reserves, but of course also lead a successful policy which will enable us not to suffer the consequences of those major conflicts on the geopolitical plan. The situation in KiM is burdened with constant extremist policy of Pristina leadership, which is not directed at searching peaceful solution, but to further armament and implementation of volatile acts and incidents that are ethnically motivated with a goal to expel Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija,'' said Dacic, reported Kosovo Online.

KFOR met Atiq, discussed security situation in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, social media)

Commander of KFOR Regional Command-East (RC-E) Colonel Peter Helzer met Mitrovica North mayor Erden Atiq, as part of the NATO-led KFOR mission’s regular engagements with all community leaders in RC-E area of responsibility, KFOR said in a statement on Facebook.

“They discussed security concerns and KFOR’s efforts in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo. KFOR remains politically neutral, and engagements like these help commanders stay informed about their areas of responsibility. KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and EULEX (the European Union Mission on Rule of Law) in their respective roles as security responders”, the statement added.

On World Children's Day posters in north of Kosovo about attacks on Serbian children and youth (RTS, Tanjug, Blic, Kosovo Online)

On World Children's Day, posters with photos of children, who suffered torture and attacks in recent years, were placed in several areas in the north of Kosovo, reported RTS.

According to RTS, the posters show ''an escalation of attacks'' on Serbs and Serbian children in Kosovo, wounding with gunshots, beatings, and verbal abuse by individuals or groups of Albanians.

On the posters are photos of wounded brothers Stefan and Milos Stojanovic from Gotovusa, who were wounded by firearms on Christmas Day last year, Nikola Peric from Gojbulja, who was beaten on July 1, 2021, because he was wearing a chain with an Orthodox cross.

The photos also show Mihajlo Stankovic from Kamenica beaten on August 23, 2021, and Lazar Milutinovic from Suvo Dol near North Mitrovica, as well as the recent arrest of four Serbian youths in the northern part of Mitrovica.

Petkovic: Removing posters will not hide truth (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, pointed out that by removing the posters with wounded and beaten children, which appeared this morning in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo, and on the occasion of World Children's Day, the truth cannot be hidden, reported Kosovo Online.

"On World Children's Day, Kurti sent his phalanxes to remove and tear up posters with pictures of beaten and shot Serbian children who are victims of Albanians in the north of Kosovo and Metohija," Petkovic stated in a X post.

"Instead of those responsible for the crimes being punished, Kurti would like to hide his misdeeds. Removing the poster will not hide the truth," wrote Petkovic.

Serbian List meets families of affected children (Radio KIM, media)

President of the Serbian List Zlatan Elek and his associates met today with the families and children who were, as they said, “victims of Kurti’s terror” and their families, Radio KIM reported.

“Mr. Elek emphasised that on this day (World Children’s Day) we want to show to the world under what conditions Serbian children in Kosovo and Metohija live and how their rights are violated. We recall that not a single attack on our children faced a judicial epilogue, and that no one was convicted for brutal mistreatment and attacks on our children. Moreover, the wall of silence and repression is so strong, that today members of (Albin) Kurti’s police tear posters with photos of the children who were victims of those obedient to him”, Serbian List said in a statement.

Serbian List also said it expects international representatives to raise their voice and clearly condemn violence against the Serbian children, demand those responsible be prosecuted so as to send the clear message that violence against children or anyone else must not be a political tool to score points in Pristina.

Tribune on rights and security of Serbian children held in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

On the occasion of World Children’s Day a tribune was held at the amphitheatre of the Technical Faculty in Mitrovica North, KoSSev portal reported. The portal added the main message from the tribune was that “regardless of the international community, and their security forces in Kosovo, our children are not safe”.

The speakers at the tribune included those employed in schools, south and north of the Ibar River and a mother of two children from Zitkovac, near Zvecan. Serbian List officials were also present. The students of Pristina University with a provisional seat in Mitrovica North were holding the posters with photos of wounded and beaten children, which were previously posted across Mitrovica North.

“Starting from the smallest issue – how to obtain school books for our children, all the way to the security of the Serbian children, nothing is certain here”, it was noted in a gathering. Participants also discussed respect for children rights south and north of the Ibar River, their security, lives, and right to education.

Following the tribune, participants started a protest walk in Mitrovica North to the end of the city's promenade.

Arsenijevic’s post on ‘Serbian List pre-election activities’ (social media)

President of Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic in a post on social media commented on “pre-election activities of the Serbian List”. His post came after the Serbian List published last night the news related to the meeting they had with heads of Serbian Government-backed institutions.

“Officials of the Serbian List would like to continue to usurp the positions of “representatives” of the people, even though they have been completely alienated from those people for a long time. As is well known, they are, to a large extent, to blame for what is happening to us, and not only that, but they are also silent about it all for months {…}”, he said in a post. “We are receiving information that they have already started abusing their positions in Serbian institutions, agitating among our fellow residents, heads in the institutions, for the February 9 elections - so that they would further collect votes for them in the institutions. What do you want, another free round of “being representatives” in an incompetent and uncreative way? So that we would sink a bit further?”, Arsenijevic said.

He urged people and employees of these institutions not to succumb to pressure. “{…} Whoever is in power in Belgrade will, like it or not, accept to work with every elected Serbian representative, especially the one who works in the common interest. And you know that Serbian Democracy has been the most active fighter on the ground for our collective rights in recent years, and against the scourge that befell us. And let them dare to threaten someone with being fired or withholding benefits from Serbia. Serbian Democracy will be there - for every person, for every doorstep”, Arsenijevic concluded.

Serbian List said last night they had a meeting with the stakeholders and heads of GoS- backed institutions in the premises of this party in Mitrovica North. They said that political-security issues were discussed along with future activities. This meeting comes after the meeting Serbian List leadership had in Raska with the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic on November 15.

Prekazi: Sports and culture are bridges that unite; EURO 2027 will bring Serbs and Albanians closer (Kosovo Online)

Yugoslav sports legend and Partizan football club player Xhevad Prekazi said the sports and culture are bridges that unite people, not divide them. He expressed optimism that the joint organisation of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship by Serbia and Albania will bring Serbs and Albanians closer, as well as the peoples of the Western Balkans.

"As far as sports are concerned, this is great news, and it is a good thing. We know that culture, and especially sports, are bridges that unite, not divide", Prekazi told Kosovo Online.

He noted that there will always be those opposed to the idea of jointly hosting such events, but he believes that everyone will ultimately adhere to UEFA’s decision, as it is driven not only by sports but also by political motives aimed at uniting the peoples of the Western Balkans.

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

Humanitarian/Development

Kurti: House keys delivered to 25 families in north of Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that “dozens of houses have been built and hundreds of others will be built in the north of our country. Today, Minister Aliu together with Mayor of Mitrovica North, Atiq, delivered the house keys as part of a project that benefits 25 families”. He also said that “Kosovo is an equal state for all; therefore, all should enjoy the equal right to live in their homes and properties”.

Kurti: School texts are systematically reviewed and improved (Albanian Post)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today on World Children’s Day that school texts are being reviewed and improved for the first time. “For the first time we are doing the review and improvement of school texts for Albanian and mathematics for the classes from 1 to 6. As you know a lot of deficiencies have been identified and they are being corrected with commitment and systematically,” he said in his address at the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Children’s Rights.

Kurti also said that assistance is being provided for children with special needs, “making sure that stigma and discrimination have no place in Kosovo’s schools and our society. This is why we are engaging together so that these children are welcomed in every part of our country and in every public space”.

“Our government is working to bring substantial changes directly related to the healthcare, wellbeing, education, and rights of all children without any difference,” he said.

The news website notes that recently the handbook for teachers on sexual education and reproductive health has caused debate because of its content and approach. Some groups, including parents and conservative organisations, have expressed their concerns about the content of the material. There were also concerns about the age when children should start learning about the topic, with some arguing that sexual education should start later, while others said that it is important for children to have the right information from an early age in order to prevent abuse. The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation then decided to review the texts.

Declaration against violence against women in politics and public life (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said in a Facebook post that in cooperation with women members of the Assembly of Kosovo, it organized on Tuesday a conference on violence against women in politics and public life in Kosovo, bringing together women MPs from all parliamentary groups represented in the Assembly.

The conference focused on the current situation and efforts to address the critical issue of violence against women in politics, advancing gender equality and culminated with the signing of a Declaration on Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women in Politics and Public Life. This is a significant step as Kosovo enters its election period as the Declaration reaffirms the Assembly's commitment to addressing violence against women and fostering an inclusive and equitable political environment.

In their addresses, the MPs emphasised the importance of the cross-party collaboration among women in creating and endorsing the Declaration at this important moment, and discussed strategies to ensure it leads to concrete action in the future.

The Declaration will remain at the Kosovo Assembly plenary session hall for other MPs to sign during the 16 Days of Activism, thus increasing its visibility and outreach.

20 journalists attend training on addressing gender-based violence (AJK)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a press release that twenty journalists participated last weekend in a training focused on ways to address gender-based violence through responsible reporting.

During the training, journalist and activist Leonida Molliqaj discussed fundamental concepts of gender equality, feminist journalism, the portrayal of women in the media, gender-based violence, and the role of media in combating this issue.

Participants also analyzed specific cases of reporting on gender-based violence and shared their professional experiences in the field.

This activity is part of the UN Women project, "Addressing the Impacts of Gender-Based Violence in Kosovo and Empowering Survivors to Overcome Stigma and Speak Out," supported by the British Embassy in Pristina.

Gender Equality Group of Democracy and Human Rights Council meets (media)

The Working Group on Gender Equality established within the Council for Democracy and Human Rights held its meeting, in which the last two collaborations with the Office of the President of Kosovo were presented, specifically one with the Canadian Government through the TAP-EDM program and the other one with the International Republican Institute (IRI), a press release issued by the Office of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani notes.

During the meeting, the experts engaged by the TAP-EDM project presented the main goal of the cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic of Kosovo, along with the results that are expected to be achieved by the end of this partnership. The main goal of the partnership between the Office of the President and the Government of Canada is to build internationally recognized data-based systems to address gender-based violence. These data systems will help identify evidence-based policies; therefore the goal is for policies addressing gender-based violence to be as efficient and fair as possible.

Members of the group also discussed priority areas where there is a need for advancement in gender equality, such as women’s participation in political and public life, gender-conscious budgeting, culture, education, judiciary, and other important areas.

This partnership, which is in its second phase, includes reviewing laws and policies that directly affect the lives and active participation of women in these areas and proposing changes to ensure equal opportunities and participation of women in all aspects of the social and political life of Kosovo.

At the end of the meeting, members discussed various topics of common interest with a focus on gender equality in Kosovo.

IADK: 28 farmers in Leposavic equipped with agricultural equipment (media)

The Initiative for the Agricultural Development of Kosovo (IADK) said in a Facebook post today that 28 farmers in the municipality of Leposavic have been equipped with agricultural equipment. “The agriculture and rural development sector continues to be a fundamental source of income for minority communities and vulnerable groups in Kosovo. To strengthen this sector, IADK has equipped 28 farmers in the Municipality of Leposavic with agricultural equipment. In addition, three (3) greenhouses equipped with irrigation systems and supporting inputs have been installed. The distributed equipment includes various agricultural mechanisms intended to increase productivity and efficiency in the vegetable and livestock sectors. This initiative aims to ease the burden on farmers, increase production efficiency and improve the quality of agricultural products. Beyond the grants, IADK will also provide practical training to beneficiaries, ensuring that they acquire the necessary skills to maximise the benefits of the equipment provided. This cooperation is part of the project ‘Empowering rural communities through the development of agriculture’, financed by the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (Sida) and represented by the Swedish Embassy in Kosovo. The project funds are managed by the Danish Refugee Council, while its implementation will be done by the Initiative for the Development of Agriculture in Kosovo (IADK),” the post notes.