The only candidate for the chief prosecutor of Kosovo, Aleksander Lumezi, stated in an interview for Zeri that all prosecutors should work with professionalism. He said that he does not believe on existence of clans within the prosecution system of Kosovo, however he admits that there were interferences from outside in the process of the candidature for the chief prosecutor of Kosovo.
The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, said on Monday in Brussels that the people of Kosovo are leaving because of the economic situation, and called on Kosovo institutions to create conditions for economic development, which, according to him, would prevent irregular migration. Hahn said that at the moment, he doesn't know what could be the impact of the large number of asylum seekers on the visa liberalization process.
The spokesperson of the UNHCR in Hungary, Erno Shimun, said on Thursday that migration of Kosovo people has to do with the escape from poverty. He said that the solution of this issue should be discussed at the European level. "According to our experience, migration of Kosovo people has to do with poverty," said Shimun. So for this reason, he said that authorities in Hungary have decided not to give asylum to Kosovars.
Minister of Kosovo Security Force, Haki Demolli, said on Monday that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is ready to be transformed into Kosovo Armed Force (KAF). Demolli made these statements in the report to the members of the Commission for Foreign Affairs, and informed them about the preparations that were made for the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Force (KAF). Demolli announced that in cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), his ministry designed the transformation of KSF into KAF.
A former KLA commander and now director of Anti-Corruption Agency Hasan Preteni writes an open letter to the Kosovo Government Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of KLA Veterans and other categories saying that the entire process of examining lists of KLA members has been seriously flawed and should be annulled. As a former KLA commander, Preteni claims that the establishment of the Commission was not publicly discussed and did not reflect the real needs.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) presented its 2015 report that documents human rights concerns throughout the world. HRW stated that slow progress in this field have shown Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia. “It is time for the Western Balkan Governments to show seriousness regarding European values, like the equal treatment of minorities and responsibility for serious crimes,” said Lydia Gall from the HRW for Balkans and East Europe.
The Initiative on Agricultural Development in Kosovo (IADK) has started the implementation of a project supported by the European Union Office in Kosovo, to help widows in Mitrovica, especially those without any financial support. The Executive Director of the IADK, Zenel Bunjaku, said that widows will be trained on how to prepare food, and after that, they will have the opportunity to work in schools in Mitrovica. According to Bunjaku, also pupils from Mitrovica schools will benefit from this project, as they will have fresh meals every day.
Today’s protest called by Vetevendosje and supported by other opposition parties has turned violent after the police tried to disperse protesters with teargas to prevent the crowds from approaching the government building. At present, Kosovapress reports that the protest has worsened, with a major clash occurring between the police and protesters in front of the Ministry of Culture building at Mother Theresa Square.
The Association of the Families of Missing Persons in Kosovo declared that they will not attend any protest organized by political parties, and called on family members of the missing not to be manipulated by politicians. Members of the Association called on Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to dismiss the Minister for Communities and Returns Aleksandar Jablanovic for his “insulting statement for the family members of missing people.” “The visit of Serbian Prime Minister in such a tense situation is humiliating for the families of the missing,” it is on their reaction.
Columnist Enis Veliu writes that the Serbian Minister for Communities and Returns in the government of Kosovo, Aleksandar Jablanovic, showed that he has the courage and political power to take decisions at the level of the Kosovo government and while he is being paid by the Kosovo budget, he continues to implement instructions from the government of Serbia.