The competition for cops in the north, only for under 30 years of age

The question now is what the Government of Kosovo wants to do and what Serbs want”, he tells Radio Free Europe.

In early January 2023, Kosovo Police announced competition for employing new officials from non-partisan communities to meet free positions at the Kosovo Regional Police Directorate in North Mitrovica. The number of jobs was not specified.

The announcement of this competition took place after about 550 members of the Serb community left Kosovo Police in the country's north in November 2022, in a sign of dissatisfaction with the Kosovo government's decision to reregister Serbian license plates to Kosovo RKS.

Kosovo police have not answered Radio Free Europe questions if they are interested in the announced competition, nor if they have the right to apply former policemen who have resigned.

Police said only that <x0creters have been published in the competition declared”, and that the public will be announced in time for further steps.

On December 28th, 2022, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that “bratia” created after “imposed resignations must be met and called on all Kosovo Serbs especially those who have not had the opportunity to have a job so far to apply for new jobs. ]

The international community has on several occasions called on Serbs to return to institutions, but Kosovo also to facilitate their return.

Official Belgrade has supported the removal of Serbs from Kosovo institutions, and in exchange, they were granted contracts on the basis of which, in addition to pay, judicial labour relations, such as pension and health insurance were regulated.

Who can compete?

One of the conditions, however, is for candidates not to be over 30.

Members of the Serb community in the north have integrated into the Kosovo Police under the 2013 Brussels Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, and most of them are already over 30.

What do ex-cops say?

Some of the former police officers in northern Kosovo interviewed by Radio Free Europe, on condition of anonymity say they have lost the will” to return to Kosovo institutions, but that they will eventually act as Belgrade requires.

In general, they do not want to speak publicly on this subject, but they do remember that they currently have contracts with Serbia and that they have financial care, which, they say, is enough for them right now.

In addition to members of the police, the staff in the Judiciary, administrative workers in the four municipalities in the north and Kosovo Government officials from the ranks of the Serbian List have also resigned, and the main Serbian political party in Kosovo.

For the eventual return of Serbs from the north to Kosovo institutions Radio Free Europe also tried to receive an answer from the Serbian List as the largest party of Kosovo Serbs, which functions with Belgrade's support, but without result.

What about judges and prosecutors?

Free Europe Radio has sent questions to the Kosovo Judiciary Council about whether the resignations of Serbian judges have been taken into account, what are the next steps, as well as whether they will have the right to compete in the eventual competition and those who have resigned.

However, instead of answering from this institution, they have forwarded an interview by Judiciary Council Chairman Albert Zogaj, given on January 2nd for one of the local media.

Zogaj had said the resignations are being considered carefully, adding that procedures have been launched for assigning disciplinary measures “to workers who have participated in political gatherings, which is contrary to constitutional, legal and ethical responsibilities”.

Foundation Court in Mitrovica Chairman Lilana Stevanovic, as well as Judge Nikola Kabashiq, have participated in several rallies organised by the Serbian List. At a similar rally, Marko Jaksic, a former member of the Court in Mitrovica, has spoken.

According to Zogaj, all will be held accountable. He had said that the new position for replacing judges cannot be announced without previous approval of these resignations, adding that the issue will be addressed during February.

In a written response to Radio Free Europe, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council says the decision on Serb prosecutors' resignations from the north will be taken after a detailed analysis of them.

Without making a decision, we cannot be released on assessments of how this situation will be further advanced”, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council's response said.

Can the same judges and prosecutors be elected in the competition?

Ehat Miftaraj from the Kosovo Institute for Justice says judges and prosecutors, who have resigned, will be able to compete again for the workplace, but are very unlikely to be resolved.

“primarily should be hoped that judges, prosecutors and support staff will revote their resignations and return to their jobs. On the contrary, under the applicable laws and rules of the KDR and KKP, it will be difficult for those who have published the work, to return to the system through the process of the” competition, Miftaraj says.

He considers that members of the Serb community in Kosovo should not give up their rights, which are guaranteed by the Constitutions, which among other things is participation in institutions.

Free Europe has been addressed to the Ministry of Local Self-Government Management in Kosovo with the question of whether decisions have been made on this issue and what are the next steps, but until the publication of this text, there is no response.

Local Elections for Head in Four Municipals in the north, who also resigned, will be held in April 2023.

What do citizens say?

Residents of northern Mitrovica, one of four majority Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo, have divided opinions when it comes to returning Serbs to Kosovo institutions.

Jovan believes Serbs should not return to Kosovo institutions, but “appears to be returning”.

Whoever comes back is his job. Looks like they're gonna... I think some [see] their interests as far as the people are concerned, nothing but their own” interests, says this conversationor for REL.

Vladan thinks they shouldn't come back.

“Of course not, because they are separatists, of Kosovo”, he says.

On the other hand, Danijela estimates that it is time for Serbs to return to institutions that left late November last year.

Because the consequences of Serb departure from institutions are already evident. The first important thing for us is for them to return to the police and justice system, this is the most important thing, so anything else can expect”, she says.

Milena from Northern Mitrovica has a similar stance.

Well, you should not. In general, each lives its own life, so that all will be satisfied with freedom of movement”, she says, and adds that Serbs should benefit if they return to institutions. /REL