Serbian NGOs: Failure to allow patriarch to enter Kosovo opposes Ahtisaari Plan

According to them, the so-called practice of Kosovo authorities is contrary to the provisions of Ahtisaari's “Plani”, where it says the same clearly defines rights, privileges and immunitys for Serbian Orthodox Church clergy.

Substantially, Article 1.6. Addique V predicts that: “Kosovo cannot arbitrarily ban entry or position in Kosovo for priests, seminarists, monks, nuns, secularists and other guest persons and members of the Serbian Orthodox Church”. Such a decision conflicts with the Constitution of Kosovo, as well as with international conventions, which guarantee freedom of movement as basic human right (as guaranteed by Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)”, says their response.

In response, the refusal to visit the patriarch is reportedly not an isolated act against the Serbian Orthodox Church, as according to them, the Kosovo government is refusing to implement the Kosovo Constitutional Court's decision on the Decani Monastery.

The “given all that were outlined above, we call on the Kosovo government to apologise to the patriarch and the Serbian Orthodox Church for the decision in question, and not to repeat the decision in the future, which is contrary to the Constitution and current laws in Kosovo. Especially do we stress that political circumstances in Kosovo cannot and should not be used as rationale for violating the Constitution, international laws and conventions. Also, we ask the Kosovo government to implement the 2016 decision to return land to the Decani Monastery” as soon as it is implemented, Klankosova.tv broadcasts in the NGO's response.

Furthermore, these organisations called on international organisations in Kosovo not to be silent about such decisions, as according to them, these decisions raise tensions.

“We expect them to announce whether the ban on the Patriarch's visit and the establishment of political conditions for entry to Kosovo is in line with the values and norms of a society that fosters the fundamental postulates of democracy and respect for human rights and freedoms. We also expect that their active commitment, since effective rule of law and respect of basic human rights and freedoms, will not remain just words on paper, while at the same time there is a practice in Kosovo, where violations of these rights are allowed and tolerated”, Klankosova says in response, records.tv.

The nongovernmental organisations that signed this response are the Centre for Avocation for Democratic Culture (ACDC)

Center for accruing for democratic culture (ACDC)

Forum for multiethnic development and collaboration (FDMC)

Mitrovica Human Centre

Institute for Territorial Economic Development ( INTER)

Communication for development of society (CSD)

New social initiative (NSI)

NVO Active

Online Gracanica

Aveniya Women's Association

Social Initiative Center

Partesh Youth event

Ethno isvori Grazanica