Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo Assembly adopted four exceptionally important laws (media)
• Osmani meets NATO Assistant Secretary General Goffus (media)
• Konjufca stops assembly session, tells SL MPs “you should be ashamed” (media)
• PDK calls for “impartiality and transparence” from Specialist Chambers (media)
• Specialist Chambers end investigations against Sokol Bashota (media)
• Knaus on attacks in north: Intl community should help end impunity (media)
• CPJ reacts to death threat against journalist Berat Buzhala (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Self-determination MPs attempted to prevent Serbian List MPs from entering Kosovo Assembly, Konjufca interrupted session (Radio kontakt plus, Kosovo Online)
• Reactions to attempts to prevent Serbian List MPs from attending session, Konjufca’s decision to interrupt the session (media, social media)
• Kosovo Albanian students visit Visoki Dečani Monastery in rare community outreach event (social media)
• Abbot Sava informs KFOR Commander about problems of Church and people in Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus, media, social media)
• Party of Kosovo Serbs announced participation at parliamentary elections (Radio KIM)
• Arlov: Absurd - Kurti is in Sarajevo, and I cannot enter Kosovo (media)

International Media:

• Conference: Vulnerable groups bear runt of digital rights violations in Balkans (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti: Kosovo Assembly adopted four exceptionally important laws (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a Facebook post on Thursday that the Kosovo Assembly adopted four exceptionally important laws, on social and affordable housing, on mandatory healthcare, the state bureau for the verification and confiscation of unjustifiable wealth, and the 2030 Prishtina Mediterranean Games. “With these laws, we will make housing and public healthcare dignified, accessible and affordable for all, we will return the unjustifiable wealth to the state, and as hosts of the biggest sports event in the history of our country we will build the best sports infrastructure in the region,” he said.

Osmani meets NATO Assistant Secretary General Goffus (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Thursday with NATO Assistant Secretary General Tom Goffus. “We discussed our joint efforts and commitment to peace and security in Kosovo,” Osmani said in a post on X.

NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said that Goffus condemned Friday’s attack on critical infrastructure in Zubin-Potok. “All facts must be established through a transparent and full investigation. KFOR remains vigilant. Coordination w/ KFOR is key to regional stability”.

Konjufca stops assembly session, tells SL MPs “you should be ashamed” (media)

Most news websites report that MPs from the ruling Vetevendosje Movement did not want to allow Serbian List MPs to be in the assembly session on Thursday saying that they never distanced themselves from the attacks in the north of Kosovo and that they only go to the assembly to sign in and secure their wages.

Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca decided to stop the assembly session. “I am addressing the Serbian List MPs who come here and provoke in this way. This behavior of coming to the Assembly once in six months to abuse taxpayers’ money is intolerable. Meanwhile, you fight Kosovo with every means you have. You go and report to the chief criminal Radoicic and then you find the courage to come to the Kosovo Assembly. You should be ashamed. This session is over, and I ask you to leave this room,” he said.

PDK calls for “impartiality and transparence” from Specialist Chambers (media)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) called for “impartiality and full transparency” from the Kosovo Specialist Chambers on Thursday after the arrest of Isni Kilaj, Bashkim Smakaj, and Fadil Fazliu. “The PDK highlights the importance of maintaining the highest standards of justice and impartiality which are the foundation of the functioning of every judicial institution, including the Specialized Chambers. We strongly believe that justice and impartiality are not only requirements but also necessary conditions for a fair and reliable process,” the statement notes.

The PDK also said that the Specialized Chambers were created to ensure justice based on European standards and not to create public spectacles. “It is crucial for all proceedings at the Specialist Chambers to be based in full transparency and without surpassing their competencies,” it added.

Specialist Chambers ends investigations against Sokol Bashota (media)

Sokol Bashota, former member of the general staff of the Kosovo Liberation Army, said in a Facebook post on Thursday that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers informed him that all investigations against him have ended. “The end of investigations against me is not only my victory but also a triumph of the purity of the fight of the Kosovo Liberation Army,” he said.

Knaus on attacks in north: International community should help end impunity (media)

Gerald Knaus, founder of the European Stability Initiative (ESI), in a post on X on Thursday, commented on the attacks in the north of Kosovo and what he called “risk of repeated impunity”. “Some in the international community seem to think even now it is more important to speculate about how a serious terror attack might influence Kosovo elections than who did this? The pattern: May 2023 KFOR was attacked viciously in North Kosovo … nobody was held responsible. Then Kosovo police were kidnapped … nobody in the international community could publicly establish the (known) facts. 2023 Banjska attack kills Kosovo police, threatens major violence, the organiser then admits it (!) … and lives undisturbed in Serbia. The IC has more eyes and ears on the ground in Kosovo than anywhere else in the world. It should help end this impunity,” Knaus argued.

CPJ reacts to death threat against journalist Berat Buzhala (media)

The Committee to Protect Journalists, in a statement on Thursday, called on “Kosovo authorities to ensure the safety of journalist Berat Buzhala, founder of the online media outlet Nacionale, following a December 2 death threat he received via Facebook messenger threatening his safety and his colleagues”.

“We welcome the Kosovo authorities’ swift investigation into a death threat made against journalist Berat Buzhala and urge them to fully hold the perpetrators to account,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Authorities should ensure all journalists in Kosovo can do their jobs without fear of reprisal.”

Buzhala published a screenshot of the Facebook message, which threatened to kill him and “some of your kind.” The Facebook account associated with the threat has since been deactivated.

Buzhala told CPJ he believes the death threat is a consequence of ruling party, government officials publicly accusing journalists of Nacionale of being pro-Serbian. Buzhala said the threat follows earlier incidents targeting Nacionale’s journalists with smears, verbal threats online, cyberattacks, and physical attacks.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo, an independent trade group, has expressed alarm over the increasingly hostile rhetoric against journalists, often originating from government officials and ruling party members. 

Buzhala told CPJ that Kosovo police have launched an investigation, but he has no updates and doubts its effectiveness, as he believes government officials are the ones fueling hostility toward journalists.

CPJ emailed questions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which oversees the police, but received no reply.

Serbian Language Media 

Self-determination MPs attempted to prevent Serbian List MPs from entering Kosovo Assembly, Konjufca interrupted session (Radio kontakt plus, Kosovo Online)

Ruling Self-determination MPs attempted to prevent Serbian List MPs from entering the plenary hall of Kosovo Assembly yesterday, Radio kontakt plus reported. Self-determination MPs did not want to allow Serbian List MPs to enter the hall, under the pretext that Serbian List MPs “never distanced from the attacks in the north”, adding that “they only come here to sign attendance and ensure their salaries”. Serbian List MPs are boycotting the work of the Assembly since the collective resignation of Serbs from Pristina institutions in the north of Kosovo, in November 2022.

“Shame on you”, this is how Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca addressed the Serbian List MPs. He also interrupted the session. “I am addressing the Serbian List MPs who are coming and provoking this way. It is intolerable in the Assembly, such an attitude to come once in six months and misuse the money of taxpayers. On the other side, you fight against Kosovo by all means. Go and get ready for your criminal boss (Milan) Radoicic. You have the courage to come to the Kosovo Assembly. Shame on you, this session is interrupted and I am kindly asking you to leave the hall”, Konjufca said.

Kosovo Online portal reported that Serbian List MPs managed to sign in their attendance and thus avoided the possibility of their mandates being revoked, for not attending the Assembly session for a period longer than 6 months.“Serbian List MPs used the break to sign in their attendance, therefore their mandates continue”, said a journalist reporting from Kosovo Assembly.

Reactions to attempts to prevent Serbian List MPs from attending session, Konjufca’s decision to interrupt the session (media, social media)

The number of reactions followed yesterday’s attempt by the ruling Self-determination MPs to prevent Serbian List MPs from attending the session and decision of Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca to interrupt the session following their presence, Serbian media reported.

“Shocking and deeply troubling scenes unfolded today in Kosovo’s* Parliament, where MPs from Albin Kurti's party, supported by the Speaker of the Parliament, resorted to insults and direct expulsion of all Serbian representatives. This calculated move aims to block their participation in the session and forcefully strip them of their mandates”, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said in a post on X, along with publishing the video of events in the Kosovo Assembly from Thursday. 

“Such actions undermine the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law, raising serious concerns about the treatment of the Serb people and other non-Albanian groups in Kosovo*. Moreover, this incident sends a very troubling message in the lead-up to the February 9th elections, casting doubt on the commitment to fair and inclusive political processes”, he added. Read full Djuric’s post at: https://tinyurl.com/s77rtwcb

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said in a statement that Belgrade and Serbian List deputies have repeatedly clearly indicated that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti wants to install Serbs suitable for him in the parliamentary seats reserved for Serbian deputies, and not those who are true fighters for the rights of the Serbian people.

"Once again, President Aleksandar Vucic has proven to be right when he said that (Albin) Kurti's plan is to eliminate the Serbian List by all means and that this is why Pristina's propaganda machinery has been launched in connection with the Ibar-Lepenac canal. When Kurti failed to do that, he decided to physically prohibit the Serbian List MPs from defending their mandates at the session”, Petkovic pointed out. Read full Petkovic’s statement at: https://tinyurl.com/478hz3br

Serbian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starovic in a post on X said that “just when you think #Kosovo* interim PM Kurti can't make anything worse, his campaign of systemic discrimination against local Serbian people hits a new low.

And yet too many people in the international community still fall for Kurti’s fairy tales about Kosovo* being the champion of democracy, human rights, etc. In reality, there is one whole community, Serbian people in the province, who are devoid of basic human, political, and economic rights, to an extent unimaginable anywhere else in contemporary Europe”.

Serbian List condemned the events in Kosovo Assembly, saying that “this unprecedented attack is a defeat of democracy and the rule of law, but also the best example of the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija under the regime of Albin Kurti, who suffer from institutional violence and physical terror from Pristina on a daily basis”. The Serbian List added “that during the attack on the MPs, MP Olivera Zdravkovic, who is pregnant, was among them”. Read full Serbian List statement at: https://tinyurl.com/yys3h35m

Serbian List MP, Milan Kostic who was in a session said that incident in the Kosovo Assembly “is the true face of (Albin) Kurti's regime, showing the extent of hatred toward the Serbian people. Serbian List MPs, who were elected by the people, were not allowed to represent the citizens who voted for us. We were all insulted, labeled with various names, and subjected to offensive remarks from Self-Determination MPs. Even a pregnant woman among us was insulted. They did not let us sit in our seats. We appealed to them, invoked the law, but they still denied us entry. I believe this is rooted in deep hatred toward us, and I assert that Speaker Konjufca has violated every law”. He called for immediate action from embassies in Kosovo.

Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic in a post on X said “I believe one should refrain from using the term “fascism” as it represents an insult to all victims of fascism. However, if there is any term next to it, then it is what was done today by Self-determination and Glauk Konjufca. They hit the new low”.

“One should not waste much words about incompetent Serbian List MPs, nor this is about how they got those seats and whether they deserve them, however, what was done by Konjufca today sums up entire policy of Self-determination towards the Serbs – if we do not get out alone, they will physically push us out from institutions because they do not like the names we are having”, Arsenijevic added.    

Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) in their reaction said that preventing Serbian List MPs from attending the Kosovo Assembly session constitutes a violation of their constitutional mandate.

“During today’s plenary session, the Speaker of the Assembly and MPs from the parliamentary majority unlawfully prevented the Serbian List parliamentary group from participating in the Assembly’s work. Although the Serbian List has been boycotting the Assembly since 2022, and their attendance today was solely to retain their mandates, their prevention from participating in the session represents a breach of their constitutional mandate”, KDI said. It also criticized the Serbian List for its lack of participation in the Assembly’s work, arguing that this behavior “reduces opportunities for communication between non-majority communities and the government”.

Kosovo Albanian students visit Visoki Dečani Monastery in rare community outreach event (social media)

“In a heartwarming visit, fifth-grade students and their teachers from a local elementary school in Deçan/Dečani were welcomed at the Visoki Dečani Monastery. Organized by the NGO Agimi from Istinić/Isniq and supported by UNMIK, such visits from schoolchildren in the surrounding area are rare but highly valued”, Visoki Decani Monastery said in a post on X social platform.

“The encounter was marked by warmth and mutual curiosity. The monks engaged with the children in English and partially in Albanian, answering numerous questions about the history of the Monastery and monastic life. The students were eager to learn, making the interaction both educational and inspiring.

Italian KFOR representatives, also present during the visit, gifted the children backpacks, caps, and flags, adding to the joyous atmosphere. The students, in turn, presented two handmade paintings to the Monastery as a token of their appreciation.

The monks emphasized that Visoki Dečani Monastery is open daily for visitors and encouraged the children to return with their families and friends”, the post added.

Read the full story at: https://tinyurl.com/25su5vjn

KFOR post about the visit can be read at: https://www.facebook.com/NATOKFOR 

Abbot Sava informs KFOR Commander about problems of Church and people in Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus, media, social media)

Abbot of Visoki Decani Monastery Sava Janjic hosted yesterday KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani and his associates, Radio kontakt plus reported.

“The Abbot of Visoki Decani #Monastery, Fr. Sava Janjic welcomed KFOR Commander Major General Enrico Barduani and his team to the Monastery today. Following a tour of the church, Fr. Sava briefed the General and his colleagues of the concerns of the #Serbian Orthodox Church regarding the latest challenges facing the Church and its faithful in Kosovo. He emphasized the critical role of KFOR in maintaining stability and peace in the region and expressed gratitude to the General for the Italian Army’s invaluable efforts on protecting the #Monastery over the past 25 years”, Visoki Decani Monastery said in a post on X social platform. 

Party of Kosovo Serbs announced participation at parliamentary elections (Radio KIM)

The Party of Kosovo Serbs (PKS) confirmed last night that it made a decision at the session of the party’s main board to take part in upcoming parliamentary elections due on February 9, Radio KIM reported. They also announced the beginning of the campaign to enter the Kosovo Assembly.

“The Party of Kosovo Serbs in full capacity starts a campaign and pursuit to win 10 seats belonging to the Serbs”, PKS said. 

Arlov: Absurd - Kurti is in Sarajevo, and I cannot enter Kosovo (media)

Chairman of the Committee for Helping Serbs in Kosovo, Milorad Arlov said yesterday it is an absurd that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti could freely come to Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while he, who is engaged in humanitarian work solely, is banned from entering Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of so-called Kosovo, today freely came to Sarajevo, to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the internationally recognized country where I live in the Republika Srpska, which is part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and has not recognized Kosovo. I, who have been engaged solely in humanitarian work for 17 years, as the president of a non-governmental humanitarian organization from Banja Luka to help the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija,  cannot freely enter the so-called Kosovo because its police and its regime have not allowed me to do so for several years”, Arlov said in a statement, terming the situation as absurd. 

International Media 

Conference: Vulnerable groups bear runt of digital rights violations in Balkans (BIRN)

Media representatives and civil society and international organisations told BIRN’s Digital Rights Annual Conference in Tirana, Albania, that worsening digital rights violations in the Balkans were having “profound effects” on people’s lives.

“The report shows that digital rights violations have profound effects on everyday lives, only amplifying already existing human rights issues and barriers. While compiling it, we have attempted to paint the current picture but also to forecast future trends,” Ena Bavcic, BIRN’s Digital Rights Research Lead said.

Despite the challenges, Bavcic said there is still hope for a safe internet.

“Challenges are numerous but there is some hope and we hope this report will be used to cast light on steps that need to be taken to improve online safety for everyone,” Bavcic said, referencing BIRN’s Digital Rights Violations Annual Report 2023-2024, published on Wednesday.

Bavcic highlighted that the main digital rights violations in the region over the past year include disinformation, hate speech and cyber attacks. She also underlined the malicious use of AI.

“Most of the cases [in the report], such as computer fraud, phishing, manipulated videos impersonating others and other similar digital rights violations were ‘improved’ by AI. AI is here to stay,” Bavcic said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/xe7qr