Serbia continues to disrespect Law on National Minorities

Passing addresses and stopping the use of national symbols are only two of the major problems that Albanians in the Presevo Valley continue to face.

Based on Article 16, paragraph 2 of the Law for the Protection of Rights and Freedoms of National Minority in Serbia “simbols and national coatings cannot be identical to other states' symbols and billboards, with this use of symbols, or the use of the national flag is not allowed because it is the same as that of the Republic of Albania.

Belgzim Kamberi of the Council for Human Rights in Presevo has declared that the Council for Human Rights (KDNJ ) has repeatedly raised the issue of the use of national symbols, but according to it it is only a broad range of laws from Serbia on constitutional norms that cannot implement minority rights.

“The Council for Human Rights has repeatedly raised the issue to allow the use of national symbols for minorities in Serbia, but this is only remaining a wide range of constitutional laws and norms that cannot today implement minority rights in Serbia”, he said.

He also added that Belgrade needs much work to be transformed into a modern and democratic state, where citizens and rights for each citizen, regardless of his identity.

Other minorities live in the Presevo Valley, where the free use of symbols for each resident is right and there is no obstacle to either national holidays or family holidays.

Ragmi Mustaf from the Albanian National Council in Bujanoc says it has been addressed to institutions responsible for allowing for use and public display of symbols and to be guaranteed to national minorities as well as for marking holidays without discrimination practices.

“You have directed relevant institutions to allow the use of national symbols and public shows and to guarantee national minorities, and to mark holidays without discriminatory practices”, he said.

On the other hand, he added that Serbia should follow Montenegro's example of allowing national minority symbols.

Serbia must follow Montenegro's example of allowing free use of national symbols for minorities on its territory”, he said.

Meanwhile, in response received by Serbia's Ministry of Justice in Belgrade for the Law on National Minorities is said to be not responsible for the question addressed.

The justice ministry is not responsible for your questions”, it says in response.