47 civil society organisations come up with several requirements for Kosovo, Serbia

Periskopi

10 December 2021, 08:46(5 years ago)

47 members of Kosovo and Serbia's civil society have been addressed with several requests to the Government of Kosovo and Serbia. They have asked the two governments to continue the dialogue, implement the agreements reached, refrain from encouraging rhetoric to minority communities and populist regimes regarding mutual relations and history, [...]

They have called on the two governments to continue the dialogue, to implement the agreements reached, to refrain from promoting minority communities and populist factions regarding mutual relations and history, to pledge transparency, to take immediate measures to develop internal processes for integration, respect minority communities' rights and take actions that lead towards building relations and confidence among communities.

They have even had some calls for the international community.

“Call on the international community to: dialogue and agreements on normalisation of relations that do not harm democracy in Kosovo and Serbia; focus on essential solutions instead of resolving random disputes between parties in dialogue;- supporting civil society in the wider sense ( OSC, academy, cultural institutions, media, unions, etc. ); - commit to normalisation and building lasting relations between the two sides; -exercise a broader inter-social and inter-social debate on solutions and possible priorities in dialogue.

Full statement:

Promoting co-operation between civil society in Kosovo, Serbia

Common Declaration of Members of Kosovo Civil Society, Serbia

December 10, 2021

Witnessing that Kosovo- Serbia is not improving despite the ongoing process of dialogue, we express our deep concern about worsening the situation on the ground and the impact on citizens' daily lives. There is a need to ensure and protect the human rights of non-combat groups in Serbia and Kosovo.

Concerned that dialogue is being used to shift attention from important issues such as weakening rule of law, corruption and the challenges associated with human rights.

Taking into account that contextal differences regarding levels of democracy, rule of law and power sharing affect the process of normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo:

We call on the governments of Serbia and Kosovo to:

They continue dialogue in an essential and sustainable way;

They immediately apply the agreements reached;

They refrain from encouraging rhetoric to minority communities and populist horrors regarding mutual relations and history;

They pledge transparency and secure civic participation;

They take immediate measures to develop internal processes for integration;

They respect the rights of minority communities; and,

They take action that leads to building relations and trust among communities.

We call on the international community to:

They support dialogue and agreements on normalising relations that do not harm democracy in Kosovo and Serbia;

The focus is on essential solutions instead of resolving random disputes between parties in dialogue;

( OSC, academy, cultural institutions, media, unions, etc. );

Are engaged in normalisation and building stable relations between the two sides;

They promote a broader inter-social and in-social debate on possible solutions and priorities in dialogue.

We vow to continue:

A continuing and essential debate between civil society in Serbia and Kosovo;

There is the timely exchange of information about issues, context and developments in both societies;

A common reaction to issues that exacerbate the situation on the ground and have a harmful impact on relations between communities;

Our focus on continuing challenges that have not found solutions or are marginalised because of current issues or incidents;

) creating a space for proactive civil society leadership in creating better relations and improving human rights, and everyday citizens' lives;

To take into account the differences between processes in Serbia and Kosovo and react in line with those processes, seeking action in the right direction;

The involvement of other members of civil society for an ongoing dialogue between civil society actors and enabling considerable involvement for everyone and everyone.

Signatories:

1. Advocacy Center for Democracy Culture (ACDC) North Mitrovica

2. Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC)

3. Kosovo Assist SSIST, Pristina

4. Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE)

5. Belgrade Centre for Security Policy

6. Balkan Policy Research Group (BPRG)

7. Crno-beli svet, North Mitrovica

8. Center for Evolution and Democracy Development (CADD)

9. Center for Peace and Toledo (CPT)

10. Centar za regionalysm Mitrovica

11. Civic Initiatives, Belgrade