Women's network backs Jahjaga after slander indictment by Shyhrete Berisha's husband's family

The Kosovo Women's Network has come out in support of former President Atifete Jahjaga, after a libel indictment has been filed against her by Shyhrete Berisha's husband's family.

The Kosovo Women's Framework proudly stands with President Atifete Jahjaga, following news that she must appear before the court on February 14th in response to a defamatory” indictment, said in a reaction issued by RRGK.

“President Jahjaga spoke up for Shyhrete Berisha, a woman who almost lost her home when her husband's family tried to take over the property. Now Shyhret's family indicts President Jahjaga after her speech that went out in defense of Mrs. Berisha's right to keep her property”, RRGK says.

According to RRGK, this indictment is simply an attempt to draw attention to this family's inhuman treatment of Mrs. Berisha, having made him spend years in court processes seeking to implement her undeniable right to property”.

“We believe President Jahjaga has been unjustly indicted after having raised a voice for Mrs. Berisha's rights and for the rights of all women to own the property. We believe that the court will consider this indictment unreasonable and that justice will prevail” is further said in response.

RRGK has said the indictment against Jahjaga is “an attempt to silence them and those that speak against injustice and dare raise their voices against women's rights violations. The very idea of defending the rights of voice women would be considered slandering a family described in a traditional culture of the patriarchate, which protects the interests of those in positions of power - men, violating and denying women's rights. Such unjustified claims serve to undermine the work and freedom of women's human rights advocates, such as President Jahjaga, in order to preserve the status quo and existing relations of power”.

The President Jahjaga has repeatedly raised a voice for women's rights. It has stood firm with survivors of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo, struggling to recognise status, honour and treat them fairly. She has stood up against the injustices committed against women like Mrs. Berisha and many others like her, who risk losing their property due to traditional patriarchal norms that address family rights “as more important than women's rights. More than a year after leaving the presidency, President Jahjaga continues to strongly contribute to the rights of Kosovo citizens, especially women. And that's why now we have to invite everyone to stay with him, in solidarity”, says RRRK response.

The Kosovo Women's Network is the network of 126 different women's rights organisations throughout Kosovo aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting women and girls' rights.