PRISTINA - The continued presence of illegal re-occupation of properties gives a cause for concern and calls for a determined response by Kosovo institutions that should guarantee the full protection of the property rights of all communities in Kosovo, reads an OSCE Mission report launched on Thursday.

Between 2008 and 2013, the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) referred 326 such cases to the prosecutors, a large majority of which involved property owned by members of the Kosovo Serb community, the report says.

“The continued presence of illegal occupation in Kosovo is concerning,” said Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, stressing that efforts should be made to stop the repetition of this offence in the future.

The report finds a number of shortcomings, which put at risk the effectiveness of the institutions' response to cases of illegal re-occupation.

The KPA, Kosovo Police and prosecutors should improve their coordination in the enforcement of eviction orders; prosecutors must bring the appropriate charges against perpetrators; court procedures need to be concluded in a timely manner; and adequate punishments need to go hand in hand with compensation awards for the property owners, reads the release.

The OSCE report reviews the response of Kosovo institutions to instances where property under the administration of the KPA and subject of an eviction order, has been subsequently re-occupied.