Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks said the plight of Kosovo war victims is being ignored amid the ongoing political discussions about the country’s future.
s Muiznieks said on Thursday after a four-day visit to Kosovo that war victims and their human rights should be placed “at the centre of the political dialogue”.
Though rhetoric has been positive, little benefit has been felt by Kosovo’s vulnerable communities this year.
The head of the parliamentary group of the Serbian List Slavko Simić told RTK2 that at the next parliamentary session he will request an apology for the hate speech that could be heard in the wiretapping scandal.
The wiretapped conversations of the former head of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Adem Grabovci provoked a strong reaction on the Kosovo political scene.
In North Mitrovica was presented a project "Women's rights and the Brussels agreement," which is jointly implemented by the NGO "Women's Rights" and Radio Mitrovica North. The project aims to contribute to better realization of women's rights in the process of normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade. Director of the NGO "Women's Rights" Ružica Simić assessed that the interests of the women were not sufficiently represented by the Brussels agreement.
One of the most serious problems with human rights in Kosovo during 2015 was the obstruction, at times violent, of the parliament by opposition deputies during the October-December period, states the annual US State Department report on human rights. This obstruction, according to the report, blocked free debate and the passage of legislation. Furthermore, endemic corruption in the government and the private sector as well as the lack of punishment for corrupt acts remained an important human rights problem.
Kosovo’s Chief Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi met Ombudsperson Hilmi Jashari today and discussed the challenges they face in the performance of their duties. They also spoke about the respect of human rights, guaranteed by the Constitution of Kosovo. The two officials agreed to intensify cooperation in protection of human rights and freedoms.
The minority communities in Kosovo lack capacities to participate effectively in policy and decision-making processes, writes Koha citing a report published by the European Union Office in Prishtina. The report also notes that the minority communities face additional barriers due to their continued marginalization, and, their lack of integration in society and institutions.
On the International Human Rights Day, 10 December, Kosovo is still considered to be among places where respect for human rights does not meet the required standards, declared on Tuesday head of the Council for Defense of Human Rights and Freedom (CDHRF), Behxhet Shala. Radio Kosova reports that according to Shala, human rights are violated in Kosovo primarily from socio-economic aspect, since, around 50 percent of the Kosovo population is unemployed.
International Day of Democracy, 15 September, was marked in Pristina by various activities. The Kosovo Assembly has opened its doors to all who wish to learn about the work of this institution.
The recent decision of the Venice Commission to allow entry of Kosovo in its composition will have a series of symbolic as well as practical consequences, and precedents in the work of this institution, which has a strong influence in international relations. We examined what will change in the ‘treatment’ of the southern province within "the European Commission for Democracy through Law," and beyond.