UN report: November crisis in the north, heavier in Kosovo for more than 10 years

In this report, the November crisis, which took place after the Kosovo government's announcement that it will start with the pronunciation of fines against drivers driving illegal license plates, as the worst in Kosovo for more than a decade

The report in question was submitted in line with Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999), with which the Council founded the United Nations's Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and urged the secretary-general to report to regular intervals for implementation of his mandate. The report covers UNMIK activities and related developments from September 16th to September 18th 2023.

This report is based on the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy report to the Secretary-General on the activities of the European Union's Mission for Rule of Law in Kosovo from September 16th to September 15th, 2022.

The security situation in northern Kosovo has deteriorated over the reporting period; the deterioration began in early November with the massive resignations of almost all Kosovo Serbs by police, judiciary and public administration (including elected officials) in four municipalities north of the Iber River and culminated in a three-week armed clash with barricades erected at numerous locations. It was the worst crisis of its kind in Kosovo for more than a decade”.

On the other hand, in the report writes that the situation prompted the European Union's Mission for Law Rule in Kosovo to temporarily reinforce its regular police unit by establishing a formed reserve police unit and to increase its intelligence patrol in northern Kosovo in co-ordination with Kosovo's counterparts and the Kosovo Force, Klan Kosova reports.

Thus, the mission significantly increased the presence and visibility in northern Kosovo. Meanwhile, the mission continued to carry out other operational tasks, particularly in the area of police co-operation, legal medicine and support for Kosovo's Specialised Chambers and the Specialised Prosecutor's Office”.

The report also shows that the mission continued monitoring selected cases and judgments, with particular focus on developments that concern inter-communal and security incidents throughout Kosovo.

“Mission published its third systematic and thematic report on justice monitoring, helped Kosovo authorities in medium-term strategic development and organised several seminars. After progressive deterioration in November and December, the Mission increased monitoring the security situation and rule of law in all its aspects, with the focus in northern Kosovo”.

At the end of December 2022, the Mission's tasks regarding the support of the Dialogue were transferred to the European Union's Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other regional issues of the Western Balkans.